Public Administration

The “Public Administration (Administration publique)” study programme is prepared by Masaryk University and University of Rennes in France. The teaching is done by Czech and French teachers; therefore, part of the training is done in Czech and part in French. The study programme educates highly qualified public administration workers. The character of teaching is markedly interdisciplinary and it makes use of the know-how of the renowned French IPAG Institute, which belongs to University of Rennes. The focus of the study programme, the subject structure, and the teaching methods comply with the standards used in France. Together with solid economic knowledge, the graduates obtain an education in administrative science and law, with the emphasis on the European dimension of the processes that take place in public administration. Study visits in Czech and French public institutions and specialized courses contribute to developing the necessary abilities for actual employment.

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

• Understands basic micro- and macroeconomics models and economic issues and can apply them for identifikation and solving of practical problems and for formulating recommendations.
• Knows main theoretical concepts of public administration, public finances and trends of administrative reforms.
• Understands specifics of public administration and a role individual types of public administration institutions in Czechia. He/she can identify and critically assess strengths and weaknesses of Czech administrative system.
• Understands general and procedural part of administrative law and can apply them. He/she knows mechanisms of public administration control.
• Knows French administrative system and can compare it with the system of the Czech Republic.
• Knows instruments of public management (particularly from the areas like strategic management, quality management and HRM) and can apply them when identifiying strengths and weaknesses of actual public management practices.
• Is aware of sectoral public and intersectoral policies and programmes  (like e-government, civil service models, public procurement) and can work with instruments and institutions from these areas.
• Knows available programmes for financial support of public administration and has knowledge from project management (focusing on non-investment projects) and can apply this knowledge in project preparation and evaluation.
• Understands trends of EU development and political as well as economic relationships and issues of the European integration. He/she also understands the system of European law and is well aware of trends in common and coordinated EU policies.
• To discuss pozitives as well as negatives of the European integration.
• Can prepare a high quality text. He/she knows essentials of research project and reports and can apply standard methods used in public policy, public administration and public management.
• He/she is able to communicate effeciently and distribute information, ask questions, listen and argue in Czech and French. He/she is also able to efficiently work in teams, including those that are international.

Successful graduates of the programme work for European Union institutions, Czech ministries and many other interesting positions in the public sector. They also hold positions in the French–Czech Chamber of Commerce as well as in private international companies such as Gardner Denver.

Within the framework of the study, the student is obliged to complete two internships. As a rule, in the first year of study, an internship is carried out in a Czech institution for a duration of one month. In the second year of study, students go to France where they complete a two-month internship and teaching at Université de Rennes in France. An important fact is that the trip to France is financially supported by the European Erasmus+ programme and the faculty itself contributes to part of the costs. The programme potentially allows participants to alternate between an internship in the Czech Republic and an internship in English in another developed country. Students also have the option to choose from a list of Czech and French institutions provided by the MFTAP programme coordinator and the French side. Students can thus be sure that they will be completing their internship in an institution that is used to working with interns and is able to assign tasks that will help them advance professionally in their subject of study. Czech internship mentors are invited each year to an MFTAP workshop where student feedback from both Czech and French internships is discussed. Examples of internships in the Czech Republic: Brno City Municipality, South Moravian Regional Authority, Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, European Centre Brno. Examples of internships in France: Préfecture d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Université de Rennes Service des Affaires Internationales, Chambre Régionale de Commerce et d'Industrie de Bretagne, Nantes Métropole, Maison de l'Europe de Rennes. The dual traineeship system gives the study programme an essential uniqueness and the opportunity to gain experience from public administration practice in two different countries of the European Union. The intercultural dimension is a specific comparative advantage of this system.

Diploma thesis is the compulsory part of the study programme. Formally, the thesis should get along with the rules published in the Student manual: "www.econ.muni.cz/zaverecna-prace".

Diploma thesis aims primarily at the application of both the theoretical background and practical skills by analysis of particular topic cover public administration, public finance, and policy. Students can make use of their experience coming from the internship in the institution of Czech and French public administration.

Graduates of the programme will be prepared (if interested) to pursue a doctoral programme with a focus on, for example, economics, management, public administration and public policy in most countries of the world immediately after graduation or with time to spare after gaining practical experience.