Public Law
This Master's program aims to build vertical knowledge in the field of specialization by graduating legal cadres with a high level of knowledge and qualification in the field of pubic law. This is done by building and developing cognitive skills, developing scientific research, analytical and critical skills in a way that qualifies graduates to compete in the market, and by facilitating access to doctoral programs.
The Program aims at graduating highly qualified jurists by developing the following foundations:
- Students’ legal methodology, critical analysis and legal thinking through focusing on comparative law in all concentrations’ courses;
- Students’ skills in legal research, legal drafting and analyzing judicial decisions by linking theoretic knowledge to reality;
- Students’ capabilities in conducting sound and accurate consultations;
- Furnishing students with appropriate skills and techniques required for working in judiciary, public prosecution, law profession, legal consultations and public service; and
- Offering students better opportunities and necessary foundation for pursuing graduate studies at the Ph.D. level in foreign universities in order to contribute to universities teaching and scientific research.
- Graduates with specialized scientific research skills in the field of public law and own high abilities to conduct original legal research and studies;
- Graduates who are capable of performing scientific analysis of policies and legislative frameworks to assist upgrading the implementation of policies and assessment of quality of legislation;
- Graduates who are able to transmit knowledge gained in terms of creating, implementing and evaluating both the prevailing and desired legal frameworks through advancement the capability of combining theory and practice in the light of comparative experience and best practices;
- Legal cadres capable of devising and formulating creative legal solutions to the issues they face while performing their functions in the public and private sectors;
- Cadres who enjoy skills of analysis and critique, highly capable of responding to the requirements of legal reform and bearing professional and functional responsibilities in line with recent developments in their respective areas of specialization; and
- Graduates who are capable and enthusiastic to pursue higher studies and long-life learning, to furnish local and national institutions with further accumulative knowledge and expertise.
- Justice sectors: legal profession, judiciary, public prosecution, and human rights organizations;
- Legal departments of the public sector institutions: ministries, public commissions, local government units, police and security agencies;
- Private sector: advisors to legal and natural persons, and within the business environment in general;
- Consultations for official and non-official agencies, both domestic and foreign; and
- Teaching in higher education institutions, as well as carrying out studies and research projects for the benefit of various institutions.
Academic Plan
Students are required to complete 36 credit hours distributed as follows:
- Compulsory Courses: (18 Credit hours)
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Prerequisite (s) |
|
Research Methods and Legal Drafting |
3 |
|
|
Advanced Studies in Public International Law |
3 |
|
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Advanced Studies in Criminal Law |
3 |
|
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Evolution of the Constitutional System in Palestine |
3 |
|
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Administrative Law/Administrative Responsibility |
3 |
|
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Constitutional Review |
3 |
- Elective Courses: (12 credit hours)
|
Course No. |
Course Title |
Credit hours |
|
International Humanitarian Law |
3 |
|
|
International Criminal Law |
3 |
|
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International Organizations |
3 |
|
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International Human Rights Law |
3 |
|
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Public Freedoms and Fundamental Rights |
3 |
|
|
Political Parties |
3 |
|
|
Comparative Parliamentary Systems |
3 |
|
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Crimes against State Security |
3 |
|
|
Advanced Studies in Criminal Procedure Law |
3 |
|
|
Advanced Studies in Criminology and Penology |
3 |
|
|
Civil Service |
3 |
|
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Administrative Contracts |
3 |
|
|
Advanced Studies in Administrative Judiciary |
3 |
|
|
Selected Topics in Public Law |
3 |
- Track (A) or Track (B): (6) credit hours; either as thesis writing (Track (A)) or the two following seminars:
|
Track |
Code, and Course No. |
Course Title |
Prerequisite(s) |
|
Track (A) |
Thesis |
Complete no less than 15 credit hours from the Program |
|
|
Track (B) |
Two Seminars |
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in law from a university recognized by Birzeit University.
- Students must successfully pass an exam that aims at assessing students’ legal knowledge and analytical skills.
- A personal interview with the Program Committee.
