After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• work independently in scientific research in philological-area studies (specializing in a chosen area)
• use expert knowledge of the chosen areas
• be oriented in cultural contexts and in the broader literary, linguistic, and cultural issues of European (Slavonic) areas
• communicate in at least two European languages from two different European areas
• work in education in teaching the culture of European (Slavonic) areas or in a particular area in universities

Graduates of this doctoral degree study programme are qualified and competent experts on philological-area studies in their general aspects and in one or several concrete cultural areas, e.g., Central Europe, the Balkans, or Eastern Europe. They are prepared for work in middle and upper-level positions in civil service, public administration, education (including higher education), culture, the Czech Academy of Sciences, foreign service, and generally in politics addressing national, international, educational, and cultural issues. They can also work in middle and senior company management. They are experts in minority cultures, multiculturalism, and comparative cultural studies. Thanks to their broad academic qualifications, graduates can easily find employment in a number of positions: as university lecturers and secondary school teachers, scientists, employees in scientific institutions (e.g. Czech Academy of Sciences), in senior positions in civil service or in public administration, as highly qualified experts on culture or education, in the foreign service, and in middle or senior management in companies doing business internationally.

The basic form of this doctoral degree study programme is an individual and systematic preparation for creative scientific and expert work in the studied field under the individual supervision of an accredited supervisor.

This doctoral degree study programme includes methodological training, specialized training, and language learning.

Some general methodological training is taught to all doctoral degree students at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University. It is organized by the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University. Some methodological training is provided within the students’ specific degree study programme.

The specialized training in general theory is earned through type A/required, type B/selective, and type C/elective courses focusing on linguistics and literary theory, general and comparative genre studies, social studies, and mass media studies – approached from an area studies perspective.

Language learning involves meeting the requirements of achieving a set level of language competence in one other world language.

A crucial part of this doctoral degree study programme is writing a doctoral dissertation under the individual supervision of an accredited supervisor. In addition to study obligations, the study programme involves meeting additional requirements, such as speaking at a conference, publishing a research paper, or participating in teaching students at the home department.

The studies are guided and supervised by the university credit system. The students have to earn at least 240 credits: 20 credits for common methodological courses; 4 credits for demonstrating the required language competence in another world language (English, French, German or Spanish); 40 credits for type A/required courses of the chosen study programme; 10 credits for type B/selective theoretical courses; 20 credits for a one-semester internship in a foreign country (this is compulsory for full-time studies); 110 credits for courses focusing on doctoral thesis preparation and submission; and 40 credits for research paper publication and conference participation.

The doctoral degree study programme is concluded by the doctoral final state examination in the chosen specialization, before the doctoral final state examination board and the doctoral thesis defence. Both parts usually take place on the same date.

The organization, process, and evaluation of the doctoral final state examination are specified in the MU Study and Examination Regulations (articles 30-33):

http://www.muni.cz/general/legal_standards/study_examination_regulations