Detail programu/oboru

The Doctoral Programme in Public and Social Policy (DSP PSP) aims for scientific and research training in the analysis, formulation, implementation and evaluation of public and social policies. It develops the existing theoretical and methodological knowledge of students in the PSP fields in the form of independent and team scientific work, study internships and stays, seminar form and dissertation practice. Emphasis is placed on an interdisciplinary approach, i.e. thinking through and implementing research topics through the application of knowledge of public policy, social policy, public administration, political science, sociology and economics. In this way, graduates of the DSP PSP acquire a suitable interdisciplinary basis for working in scientific research or management positions in public administration and the non-profit sector. Although the DSP PSP also draws on the older continental European and Czech tradition of social policy, in recent decades, it has been strongly inspired by the theoretical approaches and methodology of public policy developed since the late 1950s in the USA. This field, which is now developing dynamically in many academic institutions worldwide, is interdisciplinary. In addition to approaches unique to public and social policy, it also draws on and combines disciplinary knowledge from other disciplines, notably political science, sociology, economics and public administration. Applying theoretical and conceptual knowledge from relevant disciplines is essential for addressing highly diverse and complex public policy issues. The same applies to methodological approaches to the investigation of PSP issues. In practice, the interdisciplinary nature of the VSP PSP often facilitates the more effective design of solutions (compared to a purely single-discipline approach) and the dissemination of findings in a wide range of scientific journals (already mentioned disciplines, purely sector-focused journals). Last but not least, the interdisciplinarity of the DSP PSP expands the possibilities for foreign research cooperation.

Application along with the research project and all appendices should be submitted online via student information system by April 30, 2025 at the latest. 

A research project must contain:

• the dissertation topic proposed,

• detailed definition of the research problem and proposal goals,

• envisaged research questions (hypotheses),

• discussion of relevant literature,

• for purely theoretical projects, an appropriate application of theories, and good orientation in relevant literature, including journals,

• for empirically oriented projects, research design and a set of methods considered, too,

• project time schedule,

• bibliography of sources cited in the proposal using a standard format (do not mistake for the list of literature read),

• the presupposed contribution of the thesis to the development of public and social policy as a field of study,

• the information about the preliminary consultation with the considered supervisor.

The length of the research project should be approximately 10 pages (appendices excluded).

In addition, the research project should include the lists of the literature read, published or elaborated papers, applicant's participation in research projects, and his or her other relevant preconditions to study. 

The entrance examination is composed of two rounds. During the first round, submitted research projects will be evaluated by the examination committee. Applicants will be informed about the results by May 19, 2025 at the latest. Only applicants, whose research projects will reach 16 or more points out of 30 possible, will be invited to pass an oral examination. This second part of the examination will be organized as a face-to-face interview in the period from June 9th to 20th, 2025. For serious reasons, interview via online platform will be also made possible. 

Applicants are expected to demonstrate their ability to defend their research project in critical discussion and prove that they

• can formulate research questions,

• understand their topic’s broader context, and

• are fairly knowledgeable in public and social policy and related disciplines.

Priority topics of research projects for entrance examination:

https://iss.fsv.cuni.cz/en/priority-topics

Criteria for entrance exam evaluation:

 1. Research proposal quality: up to 30 points.

 2. Priority topic of the research proposal, consulted with the potential supervisor in advance: up to 20 points. 

 3. Knowledge of the field’s theory foundations and methods: up to 10 points.

 4. Existing scholarly texts and experience (papers in scientific journals, books or their parts, participation in research projects): up to 10 points.

5. Feasibility of research project in terms of methodological, economic and organizational viability: up to 10 points.

 6. Applicant’s professional experience in public, civic, or commercial sector: up to 10 points.

 7. Command of English: up to 10 points. 

Maximum number of points: 100.

Resulting points are consensually agreed upon by members of the examination committee. 

The point limit for accepting applicants is set by the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, taking into account the number of applicants and the capacity of the faculty.

See also General admission conditions.

Podmínkou přijetí ke studiu v doktorském studijním programu je řádné ukončení studia v magisterském studijním programu.

Based on the request of the applicant for doctoral studies and the recommendation of the guarantor of the doctoral study programme, the Dean may waive the entrance examination if the applicant is a member of research team of the ERC or ERC-CZ project.

Our doctoral programme aims to produce experts who are able to pursue research and analytical work with creativity. It aims to expand their theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills and to deepen their ability to grasp scholarship and social reality with a critical mindset. Graduates will be able to use these skills to identify and analyze important social issues in their proper context, the links between the behavior of social actors and their interests, values and strategies, and the shaping and implementation of public policy.

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the Charles University includes the Center for Social and Economic Strategies which shares staff with the Department of Public and Social Policy.