ACADEMIC PROGRAM IN POLICY STUDIES
Policy Studies is an interdisciplinary area that falls within the area of Social Sciences and Humanities. Its interdisciplinary nature simultaneously mobilizes approaches from various fields: Sociology with its cultural aspects, Political Economy, Law, International Relations Studies, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Philosophy and Social Psychology. What unites all the mentioned approaches, like all interdisciplinary areas, is the unique epistemological framework that is the basis of the justified study of the multilayer character of the problem that requires combining analytical approaches from several fields in the same area. Policy Studies is defined as applied social science, through which the empirical approach is an unavoidable element of methodological and substantive standpoint. The empirical approach on which these studies are based on is not reduced only to quantitative analysis and insights. Rather, the inventive and innovative solutions in the area of policy, it is necessary to interpret, among other things, the cultural preconditions and mechanisms of psychological internalization of social situations. This means that the application of qualitative research methods and discursive analysis is crucial for truly applicable analysis of the society and its policies.
Professional opportunities :
The labour market also needs specialists in this field as in Macedonia there is a lack of a specialist degree program in this field. Employees in public administration, civil society, NGOs and the private sector in the administration are constantly involved in the creation of new policies.
These processes usually boil down to taking ready-made solutions from the West and making minimal adaptation based on common sense, and not science grounded insights and methodological consistency. In practice, processes mainly arise from a constant reworking of laws or calls to change the laws (by the civil society) instead of creating decisive organizational mechanisms prescribed by laws or other internal decision making and prescribing criteria, values and procedures of specific institutions and organizations. The interdisciplinary approach is crucial for understanding of the multi-layered character of the question of applicable policies, tailored to the specific social context and issues.
Expertise in this area are required from the employees in the administration (both public and private), non-governmental organizations from all areas of activity and from the entrepreneurs.
The Scientific degree gained from the Policy Studies:
After graduation and a successful defence of a thesis the student obtains the scientific degree: Master of Arts (MA) in Policy Studies.
The candidates that gain 300 credits from the first and the second cycle will gain the relevant scientific degree.
Requirements for enrolment:
For the one year studies of the second cycle: Degree (certificate) for completed bachelor studies of 240 ECTS (or four years of study in the first cycle) in the fields of social sciences and humanities.
For the two year studies of the second cycle: Degree (certificate) for completed bachelor studies of 180 ECTS (or three years of study in the first cycle) in the fields of social sciences and humanities.
Costs of study:
– The price of one-year study program is 550 Euros in MKD. This amount includes all costs of studying and study materials while the defense of the thesis is paid separately (250 Euros).
– The price of two-year study program is 800 Euros in MKD. This amount includes all costs of studying and study materials while the defense of the thesis is paid separately (250 Euros).
ISSHS is accredited by the Board of Accreditation and Evaluation of the Higher Education of the Republic of Macedonia. It is also a scientific institution certified as such by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia is fully integrated in the EU Bologna system of the higher education and as an EU candidate country participates in all of the mobility and research schemes offered by the EU Directorate of Education and Culture and the EU Directorate of Research. ISSHS’s documents of accreditation can be found in the Documents section of this website.
Contact persons: Risto Aleksovski ([email protected]), Viktorija Borovska ([email protected]), Email: [email protected]
Beside the educational activities, students can participate in research projects of the Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities on topics related to society, culture, politics and gender. The Institute organizes conferences, public debates, symposia and summer schools. Publishing is one of the regular activities of ISSHS.
LIST OF SUBJECTS FOR POLICY STUDIES
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