Doctoral Study – Public Administration postgraduate

Public Administration III is a third cycle doctoral programme lasting three years and amounting to 180 ECTS.

 After fulfilling the requirements for the completion of this study programme, the graduate is awarded the title of Doctor of Science.

 Date of last accreditation by the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency: 18 January 2018.

Doctoral programme Public Administration III follows the principles Bologna Declaration. It relates to undergraduate and postgraduate Public Administration programmes of the Faculty of Government and European Studies and with them, it forms a complete study cycle. Taking into account the world’s best teaching practices based on the understanding of public administration and legal phenomena in relation to the comparative-legal and theoretical research outcomes, this doctoral programme provides scientific knowledge and expertise in the field of public administration and administrative systems, administrative theories, public law, state institutions, and public entities as well as their role in the European integration. Students learn the practice of independent scientific work by carrying out an in-depth study of a specific public administration research question or institute with the possibility of taking an interdisciplinary approach and by producing an original and extensive written work of a scientific nature. Graduates of this study programme can continue academic education by enrolling in a post-doctoral study programme in the field of public administration science, apply their knowledge in further scientific research or as top professionals seek employment in the public or private sector.

Doctoral programme Public Administration III provides specialist third cycle education comparable in the international context. As public administration professionals and specialists, the graduates will be able to apply for most demanding jobs in public or private sector – in state or European administration, international political or business organizations, foreign policy, non-governmental organizations, etc. Graduates of public administration have wider opportunities for employment in professions which are subject to above-average knowledge of not only practical, but in particular also theoretical knowledge and insights in the field of public administration and development trends of administrative systems. They may seek employment anywhere in Slovenia as well as in the EU because this degree is recognizable according to the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region.

 Further Study

Upon graduation, the study at all three Bologna cycles has been completed. If the candidates are interested in further study and research, they may seek to enroll in post-doc study programmes of other higher education institutions or seek research opportunities within the research institutes and centers of the New University.

Foreign candidates who have completed education abroad meet the enrolment conditions if they finished:

• The 2^nd cycle study programme (upon graduating from the first cycle study and together acquiring the sum of 180 and 120 credits).
• The unified 2^nd cycle study programme evaluated with 300 credits and lasting five years.
• At least a four-year university study programme from the field of public administration, law or social sciences if they also prove success in research and professional work, which the Study Commission can evaluate with 60 credits.

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

 Criteria for Transferring

Transfer between 3rd cycle doctoral study programmes is possible in accordance with the Article 39 of Slovenian Higher Education Act and by applying mutatis mutandis the criteria for transfers between study programmes. Transfers are possible between study programmes of the same cycle.

 Graduates of study programmes for obtaining a Master of Science or a specialization after completing a study programme for obtaining university education are recognized study requirements worth between 60 and 120 credits when enrolling in the doctoral study programme, with regard to the type of undergraduate university study programme and specialization or the field of the Master of Science.

 Candidates who are Masters of Science in law, administrative law or public administration and candidates who have a master’s degree in government and European studies may enroll directly in the third year of the doctoral study of Public Administration; however, they must fulfil all the study requirements prior to defending the doctoral dissertation (attendance at a seminar for writing a proposal, registering the doctoral dissertation topic, presenting and defending the draft of the doctoral dissertation proposal).

 Possibilities of transfer are decided by the Senate of the New University, which must determine whether the candidate meets the transfer conditions, based on a proposal from the Study Commission. Furthermore, the Senate decides whether the candidate shall be recognized the already fulfilled requirements or whether potential additional requirements should be imposed.

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

 Recognition of Prior Knowledge

Recognition of formally acquired knowledge:

A candidate who passed courses in an accredited study programme at another higher education institution prior to enrolling at the New University may request the recognition of the courses if they were taken at the same cycle and level of the accredited programme as those he has enrolled at the New University.

 Candidates who are enrolling at the New University according to the transfer criteria submit the application for recognition of courses when applying for enrolment. They submit the application on the form “Application for Recognition of Formal and Non-Formal Education prior to Enrolment at the New University”. On the application the student must state clearly and precisely for which course she/he wishes the exam to be recognized. The application must be enclosed with an Academic Transcript and the course curriculum. If the application for recognition of exams is not submitted upon enrolment, subsequent recognition of compulsory courses is payable. The recognition is decided by the Study Commission.

 Recognition of informally acquired knowledge:

Candidates may request recognition of knowledge at the comparable level acquired within informal education outside accredited study programmes (exams, seminar works, projects, scientific or professional works and publications, inventions, patents, other copyright works, active participation at doctoral conferences or other events of comparable importance).

 Decisions on recognition are adopted by the Study Commission. Recognition, be it full or partial, depends on the comparability of prior knowledge, competences and learning outcomes with those of this study programme. For informal prior knowledge, maximally 15 credits may be recognized.

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

 Selection Criteria in Case of Limited Enrolment

In case of limited enrolment, the Study Commission will decide on selection of candidates based on the average grade at the second cycle study (50% of the selection grade), on the grade of the master’s thesis (40% of the selection grade) and on prior academic achievements (competitions, prizes, publications … 10% of the grade).

 Other conditions may be determined by individual bilateral agreements of transnational education or mobility.

 Conditions for Progression and Completion of Studies

A condition for promotion from the first to the second year of the doctoral study is an approved doctoral dissertation proposal. A condition for promotion from the second to the third year is a successful presentation and defense of the draft of a doctoral dissertation, during which the doctoral dissertation’s original scientific contribution is examined, as well as its maturity for completing and knowing the contents of compulsory courses.

 Graduating in Public Administration III requires completing all courses, accomplishing individual research work and completing as well as successfully defending the doctoral thesis according to New University regulations.