A graduate of the Public Policy and Public Administration study programme at the third level of higher education will acquire a wide range of theoretical knowledge, not only from the given field, but also from related fields and related multidisciplinary areas. This knowledge is a prerequisite for the graduate's ability to formulate, through his/her personal scientific contribution, the tendencies of further development of public policy and public administration and their components (parts) in the intent of the socio-political, economic and socio-social development of the Slovak Republic, using the knowledge and experience from other countries of the European Union. The graduate will acquire analytical thinking and learn to master the scientific methods of obtaining and interpreting the latest knowledge in public policy and public administration and in the fields of scientific disciplines immediately related to them: political science, regional development, sociology, law, economics, economics and their interrelationships, and will be able to carry out their critical analysis and apply them in practice with the knowledge of selecting alternative solutions. The graduate will be familiar with the latest theories and scientific knowledge in the field of public policy and public administration as well as in the above-mentioned other scientific disciplines and will be able to propose his/her own solutions to the problems indicated in practice on the basis of a relevant analysis of the situation. On the basis of the knowledge gained from the solution of model studies related to current problems and challenges in the sphere of public life, the graduate is able to face critical situations, unknown to him/her so far, and to conduct a constructive dialogue with the professional public. The graduate will acquire knowledge of the principles of scientific work and the application of scientific knowledge to practice, the way of presenting scientific knowledge in the context of the development of public policy and public administration as an independent scientific discipline. The graduate becomes familiar with the methodology of scientific work, acquires the latest knowledge about the current state of scientific knowledge and contributes to the expansion of the current level of scientific knowledge in the theory and practice of public policy and public administration through independent scientific research work.
Theoretical knowledge
Graduates of the doctoral programme in Public Policy and Public Administration are familiar with the theory and history of their own field and programme of study, and with the theoretical and methodological aspects of public policy and public administration, as well as with related fields (economics and economics, law, political science, sociology, regional development). The graduate of the doctoral programme in Public Policy and Public Administration is also able to orient himself/herself in a broad social-scientific basis and has an overview of the current trends professionally discussed in domestic as well as global scientific forums, in the context of the development of professional theory and scientific practices in the context of the current challenges of public policy and public administration. The graduate has a high level of knowledge of the methodological aspect of the processing of scientific work and is independently capable of defining a research of the latest knowledge in the scientific areas defined by him/her, is proficient in identifying research problems, objectives as well as in the formation and verification of scientific hypotheses, is proficient in individual descriptive, analytical, interpretative and other related research methods used in the field and related fields, which he/she can adequately apply and apply in the study of the given issue, while having the ability to work interdisciplinary.
Practical skills and competences
Graduates of the 3rd cycle of the degree programme in Public Policy and Public Administration will have acquired the initial knowledge and skills to the extent and at the level appropriate to the degree of study according to the Qualifications Framework in the European Higher Education Area. This basis determines the graduate's readiness for analytical tasks in the agenda of public affairs and organisations operating in this sphere, guaranteeing knowledge of the political, legal, economic, social and administrative space within the Slovak Republic as well as Europe. The graduate is able to lead research teams, is able to teach specialized subjects at university, is able to select, thematize and name current research problems and find constructive solutions.
Additional knowledge, skills and competences
By completing the PhD programme in Public Policy and Public Administration, the student will acquire the ability to work as a team and improve his/her communication techniques, as the programme also includes the participation in professional student events, scientific conferences, debates and workshops. The graduate of the study programme is able to communicate in national and international forums using professional language at both written and oral level, while developing his/her ability to communicate in the world-recognised language - English, by acquiring vocabulary related to the content of the study. The graduate demonstrates financial, economic and media literacy. The graduate is able to cooperate and organise work in working groups, to cooperate and take decisions, to think creatively and flexibly, to analyse needs, to identify and name problems, to propose solutions based on relevant information, to design, implement, monitor and evaluate the different components of public policy, to conduct empirical research and interpret its results and to apply research recommendations in practice. The graduate is prepared to understand the interdisciplinary contexts of the functioning of modern public administration systems and perceives the constant need for the development and dynamics of public policy theory perceived as an independent modern scientific discipline. During his/her studies, the graduate has mastered the principles of scientific work with the ability to apply research results to practice, methods of scientific problem formulation, ethical principles and principles of scientific activity, the ability to scientifically create and bring new ideas, and the ability to present the results of his/her own and collective research activities both at home and abroad.
Educational objectives The teaching of students in the study programme Public Policy and Public Administration in the 3rd cycle of studies focuses on the development of independent scientific thinking, which includes mastering research methods in this field. The PhD student learns to reflect scientifically on new phenomena of public policy and public administration in the multidisciplinary context of related disciplines - economics, political science, economics, law, sociology, etc. The PhD student will acquire a deeper knowledge of and apply in his/her own research the cognitive and methodological core of the theory of the subject areas and related scientific disciplines, he/she will orient himself/herself in the latest theoretical and research issues, which will enable him/her to participate in the solution of scientific research projects and present his/her conclusions and innovative knowledge to the professional public.
Doctoral studies consist of a study, scientific and pedagogical part. Doctoral student in terms of methodological reflection:
- He/she will master the theory of public policy and public administration and all its basic areas of research (research on institutions, research on contents, research on effects).
- He/she will gain an overview of the latest findings, hypotheses, concepts, problems and unresolved issues in the field of public policy and public administration.
- The student will be familiar with the position of public policy and public administration in the system of sciences, demonstrate knowledge of interdisciplinary research issues and become familiar with the various analytical, interpretive and other research methods of his/her field and related disciplines, as well as the way they are used.
- He/she will acquire critical thinking skills, be able to name and thematise current problems and find creative solutions on his/her own.
- He/she will apply the outlined general aim of the study programme, the acquired knowledge, methods, methodological and creative skills in the process of dissertation development and related research and solutions.
- He/she will become an expert in the field of public policy theory and public administration with a prerequisite for further scientific growth in his/her preferred area of research.
Qualifications for students that mark the completion of the third cycle of the European Higher Education Area Qualifications Framework, namely:
- The student demonstrates a systematic understanding of the field of study and has acquired the skills and methods of scientific research related to the field appropriate to the current state of knowledge in the field;
- The student demonstrates the ability to conceive, construct, conduct and edit substantial research with scientific integrity;
- The student contributes original research to expand the frontiers of scientific knowledge through the completion of an extensive body of work, some of which is worthy of peer-reviewed publication at the national or international level;
- The student is able to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise new and complex concepts;
- The student is able to communicate his/her area of expertise to colleagues, the wider scientific community and the general public.
: valeriu.mosneaga@ucm.sk