Programme:

Constitutional Law (2026/2027)

Study Cycle:	Third Cycle (Doctoral)
Faculty:	Law

Programme Code:	PhD-CL-180
Academic year:	2023 / 2024
Title:	Doctor of Legal Sciences Moule: Constitutional Law
ECTS:	180 (3 years)
Decision:

This study program is designed in accordance with contemporary European and global trends in higher education and is comparable to doctoral programs at reputable international institutions, particularly within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It aims to educate highly qualified legal and scientific experts in the field of Constitutional and Administrative Law, preparing them to make significant contributions to the development of legal thought, public policy, and institutional practice.

The program offers advanced theoretical knowledge and fosters research competencies through an interdisciplinary approach, scientific research projects, academic discourse, and the independent preparation of a doctoral dissertation. Special emphasis is placed on constitutional interpretation, the application of constitutional principles, and the role of judicial protection in safeguarding human rights and the rule of law.

The program's mission is to continuously advance the research and professional capacities of students, preparing them for independent and responsible engagement within the academic community, public administration, and legal institutions at both national and international levels.

Graduates of this program will be qualified to conduct scientific research in the field of Constitutional and Administrative Law, as well as to teach at universities both domestically and abroad. Furthermore, they will be equipped to actively contribute to strengthening government capacity and supporting the country’s Euro-Atlantic integration process.

Knowledge and understanding

Shows systematic understanding in the field of research and perfect recognition of methods and skills of research in the framework of constitutional and administrative law according to the highest international standards.

Applying knowledge and understanding

Shows constitutional and administrative ability to interpret, design, apply and adapt the essential subject of research to scientific integrity;

It contributes through original research that exceeds existing knowledge boundaries, developing new knowledge, valued at the level of national and international peer reviewed publications in the area of constitutional and administrative law.

Making judgement

Ability to critically analyze, evaluate and synthesize new and complex ideas, having assessment competencies;

Ability to independently initiate and participate in national and international research networks and events with scientific integrity;

Ability to independently initiate research and development projects, through which it will generate new knowledge and skills for the development of constitutional and administrative law.

Communication skills

Can communicate with his colleagues, the wider academic community and with society as a whole within the framework of the constitutional and administrative law.

Learning skills

It is expected to be able to promote himself/herself in academic and professional frameworks and in technological, social or cultural development in a knowledge-based society.

Semester 1

[DLAW0101] [10 ECTS] Research Methodology
The course aims to enable students to: • Gain in-depth understanding of the nature and role of scientific research in the field of criminal law; • Develop the ability to formulate and structure a scientific research project in line with academic and methodological standards; • Analyse, compare, and critically assess primary and secondary legal sources; • Apply advanced techniques for the collection, processing, and citation of legal and scientific data; • Demonstrate academic integrity and awareness of ethical standards in scientific research.
[C2010] [10 ECTS] Constitutional Law - depth program
The aim of the course program is to enable students to gain depth and advanced knowledge in the field of constitutional law as a branch of law and as a scientific discipline and with specific skills for applying this knowledge in practice. To achieve these goals, the course program will address the theoretical aspects of constitutional law, and then focus on their practical application. With the adoption of the knowledge of this subject program, students will be able to: - to understand the concept and content of the constitutional law - to understand the sources of constitutional law - to distinguish constitutional law as a branch of law and constitutional law as a scientific discipline - to understand the models of government organization and to be able to determine the type of government organization in the Republic of Northern Macedonia - to understand the challenges in regulating and implementing the constitutional provisions on human rights - to be able to analyze the constitutional norms in the Republic of North Macedonia - to gain depth and advanced knowledge of the constitutional system of the Republic of North Macedonia - analytically and critically to recognize the constitutional-legal problems that arise in practice.
[10 ECTS] Elective course
- [EDCAL01] Comparative Administrative Systems
  The purpose of this course is the students to gain and demonstrate their theoretical depth knowledge of importance and possibilities of comparative analyzes of comparative administrative systems. Students will be introduced with the importance of comparative administrative systems accordingly and the political system in different countries, by introducing various organizational administrative systems of the states making comparisons from a comparative and legislative aspect. The comparison of the state administration concerns specifically between European countries as well as between developing countries. The course focuses on problems in the application of comparative methods and the study of comparative administrative systems; Interpretations of the main models, principles and directions of public administration reforms; Proving the application of the acquired knowledge with examples; Explaining cases of successful and unsuccessful reform measures and influential factors; Analyze the various reform measures and compare trends within the European Administrative Space.
- [E2489] Constitutional Procedural Law
  The purpose of the course program is to offer students in-depth and advanced knowledge and skills about various types of procedures before the constitutional authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia, such as: the procedure for passing and amending the constitution, the procedure for passing and amending laws; analysis of the critical interpretation of the constitution and laws; the procedure for the constitutional responsibility of the highest constitutional institutions of RNM; and to critically and progressively recognize the Rule of Law and the protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in front the state power in RNM as well as before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
- [E2491] Comparative Constitutional Systems
  The purpose of the program is to acquire in-depth and advanced knowledge of constitutional systems from a comparative point of view, in order to acquire analytical skills for the basic values protected by the constitution from a comparative aspect. The course will enable students: - to understand the impact of constitutional systems on other constitutional systems - to critically evaluate the elements of the organization of the state power - to see the legal, philosophical, political and sociological context of the various constitutional solutions - to see the inapplicability of certain constitutional solutions in other constitutional systems - to promote the critical and analytical thinking of the students about the various constitutional solutions from a comparative aspect in the regional, European and world context.
- [E2492] Contemporary Trends of Local Self-Government
  The main goal of the program is to comprehensively and critically analyze the phenomenon of local self-government in the context of globalization as a fundamental benefit of modern European democracy and as a necessary and effective counterweight to the central government and the best school for democracy and good governance. Through this course, students will gain advanced knowledge of local self-government, deepening the knowledge gained in other subjects in this legal field.
- [E2493] Constitutional Law of the EU
  The aim of the course program is to provide students with in-depth and advanced knowledge of the EU's constitutional framework and content; EU constitutional principles and practices; EU constitutional freedoms and rights; to critically be familiarized with EU case law.
- [E2494] Administrative Law of the EU
  The aim of the program is to consolidate a number of conclusions in the field of administrative law, human rights, European Union legislation from various doctrinal aspects, case law, decision makers. The new generations of RNM lawyers will be dealing with administrative law from a European perspective, and therefore, they should receive advanced knowledge of current trends in the development of EU administrative law and the European Union member states in whose community it strives and Republic of North Macedonia.

Semester 2

[C2011] [10 ECTS] Administrative Law - depth program
Objectives of the course: -Advanced definition and critical thinking about administration and administrative function; - Advanced and in-depth knowledge and analysis and critique of the legal regulations governing the organization and functioning of the public administration in RNM -Critical differentiation between the types of acts of the administration and to master the advanced techniques and skills of creating such acts; -Critical understanding of the mechanisms of control over the administration and its responsibility before other state bodies, but also before its clients-users of its services.
[EDCAL02] [10 ECTS] Constitutionalism and Human Rights
The objective of this course is to offer students a deeper knowledge of the contents of human rights, particularly in accordance with the European standards and help them develop their analytical skills in assessing the situation in which there is a violation of a specific human right. This course will enable students: - to understand the concept of universalism and cultural relativism within the theory of human rights; - to learn about the philosophical foundations of human rights; - to understand the elements of the human rights and modalities of their protection in different jurisdictions; - to learn about the challenges in the regulation and enforcement of provisions of human rights; - to recognize the ways of interpreting the European Convention on human rights; - to enable them for legal analysis of the provisions on human rights; - to see the contexts of constitutional and other legal solutions for human rights; - to see the impact of various philosophical concepts over the legal provisions dealing with human rights; - to assess the existence of a case of a violation of human rights; - analytical and critical thinking on issues related to human rights.
[10 ECTS] Elective course
- [EDCAL01] Comparative Administrative Systems
  The purpose of this course is the students to gain and demonstrate their theoretical depth knowledge of importance and possibilities of comparative analyzes of comparative administrative systems. Students will be introduced with the importance of comparative administrative systems accordingly and the political system in different countries, by introducing various organizational administrative systems of the states making comparisons from a comparative and legislative aspect. The comparison of the state administration concerns specifically between European countries as well as between developing countries. The course focuses on problems in the application of comparative methods and the study of comparative administrative systems; Interpretations of the main models, principles and directions of public administration reforms; Proving the application of the acquired knowledge with examples; Explaining cases of successful and unsuccessful reform measures and influential factors; Analyze the various reform measures and compare trends within the European Administrative Space.
- [E2489] Constitutional Procedural Law
  The purpose of the course program is to offer students in-depth and advanced knowledge and skills about various types of procedures before the constitutional authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia, such as: the procedure for passing and amending the constitution, the procedure for passing and amending laws; analysis of the critical interpretation of the constitution and laws; the procedure for the constitutional responsibility of the highest constitutional institutions of RNM; and to critically and progressively recognize the Rule of Law and the protection of Human Rights and Freedoms in front the state power in RNM as well as before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
- [E2491] Comparative Constitutional Systems
  The purpose of the program is to acquire in-depth and advanced knowledge of constitutional systems from a comparative point of view, in order to acquire analytical skills for the basic values protected by the constitution from a comparative aspect. The course will enable students: - to understand the impact of constitutional systems on other constitutional systems - to critically evaluate the elements of the organization of the state power - to see the legal, philosophical, political and sociological context of the various constitutional solutions - to see the inapplicability of certain constitutional solutions in other constitutional systems - to promote the critical and analytical thinking of the students about the various constitutional solutions from a comparative aspect in the regional, European and world context.
- [E2492] Contemporary Trends of Local Self-Government
  The main goal of the program is to comprehensively and critically analyze the phenomenon of local self-government in the context of globalization as a fundamental benefit of modern European democracy and as a necessary and effective counterweight to the central government and the best school for democracy and good governance. Through this course, students will gain advanced knowledge of local self-government, deepening the knowledge gained in other subjects in this legal field.
- [E2493] Constitutional Law of the EU
  The aim of the course program is to provide students with in-depth and advanced knowledge of the EU's constitutional framework and content; EU constitutional principles and practices; EU constitutional freedoms and rights; to critically be familiarized with EU case law.
- [E2494] Administrative Law of the EU
  The aim of the program is to consolidate a number of conclusions in the field of administrative law, human rights, European Union legislation from various doctrinal aspects, case law, decision makers. The new generations of RNM lawyers will be dealing with administrative law from a European perspective, and therefore, they should receive advanced knowledge of current trends in the development of EU administrative law and the European Union member states in whose community it strives and Republic of North Macedonia.

Semester 3/4

[C2610] [10 ECTS] Doctoral Project Proposal
This activity involves the preparation of an independent research project under supervision, which forms the basis of the doctoral dissertation. The student begins the process of developing the dissertation research plan by systematically elaborating its key components. The activities include identifying and reviewing relevant literature, defining the theoretical framework and research hypotheses, selecting and specifying the research methodology, and developing an individual research plan. The process is completed with a first public presentation of the research project.
[C2611] [20 ECTS] Scientific Research Work
In the second year the candidate continues with research activity by approved individual plan. The mentor provides assessment on these activities in the form of a report to the Scientific-Teaching Council of the Faculty.

[C2612] [25 ECTS] Publications I
Publication of research activities under the table relevant to the media for publication. Publication activities and successes of the candidate checked before scientific audience by area and relevance of the research.
[C2020] [5 ECTS] Student Mobility
During the fourth semester the student is obliged to visit and contribute to a relevant institution abroad for a period of at least one week. The aim of PhD students’ mobility is to request candidates to present, exchange and discuss their research work with their colleagues from other countries for improving the quality of their dissertation. For the realization of mobility, the student brings evidence to the mentor.

Semester 5

[C2613] [10 ECTS] Presentation of Research Results
At the end of the 5th semester, after the research activities under the individual plan, overall results of this phase of the paper and the research will publicly be presented by the candidate.
[C2614] [20 ECTS] Publications II
Publication of research activities under the table relevant to the media for publication. Publication activities and successes of the candidate checked before scientific audience by area and relevance of the research.

Semester 6

[C2839] [30 ECTS] Doctoral Dissertation
The Doctoral Dissertation is a core academic requirement involving original scientific research within a specific field of study. This process includes identifying a significant research problem, developing a robust methodology, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results in a systematic and scientific manner. The objective is for the candidate to demonstrate the capacity for independent research and the generation of original knowledge or innovative approaches. The dissertation fosters skills in critical synthesis, advanced research methodologies, and the adherence to academic integrity. Furthermore, it prepares the student for professional contributions and active engagement within the international scientific community. Upon completion under a mentor’s guidance, the dissertation is submitted to the Teaching-Scientific Council of the relevant faculty. Following review and approval, the work is delivered to the examining committee to initiate the public defense procedure.