Second Cycle Studies (Master program) in Political Science

The study program "Political Science" aims to provide students with a deep and comprehensive understanding of national and international political issues, doctrines, processes, trends, conditions, structures, actors, institutions, and relations. This program aims to increase the capacity of future academic, professional, and political staff in terms of knowledge, methodological and analytical skills. It is of particular importance to understand and apply not only the theories and evolutionary development of the mentioned political science aspects but also the current situation and opportunities of the Republic of North Macedonia in the context of regional and global political-legal processes.

The basic complex of study is focused on power, democracy, the state, political systems, political ideas, institutions, and relations, but it is supplemented by a certain interdisciplinary approach. Namely, contemporary political science is necessarily related to the regulation and realization of human rights and other legal categories, and it also factors the related psychological, philosophical, security, organizational, and communication aspects.

The focus of the studies is directed towards the contemporary development of the state and political systems, which is why the study program is characterized by a broad approach to political processes, and attention is also paid to decision-making processes as well as relevant current social processes at the local, national, and global levels.

Graduates, upon successful completion of the program, will receive a Master's degree in Political Science, with career opportunities in various fields, such as politics, education, research, public and state administration, media, international organizations, and citizen/non-governmental organizations.
The first students of this study program enrolled in the academic year 1967/68.

Key points:

Comprehensive study of politics: The program covers a wide range of political topics, from national and international issues to political theories, processes, and institutions.
Focus on Macedonia: It emphasizes the specific context of North Macedonia within regional and global political developments.
Interdisciplinary approach: The program incorporates insights from related fields like law, psychology, philosophy, and communication.
Emphasis on analysis: Students develop strong analytical skills to understand complex political and economic processes.
Focus on contemporary issues: The program addresses current challenges and trends in the development of states and political systems.
Decision-making and social processes: It examines how decisions are made and how they interact with social processes at different levels.
Career opportunities: Graduates can pursue careers in a variety of fields, including politics, academia, government, media, and NGOs.
Long-standing program: This is a well-established program that has been running since the late 1960s.

STUDY PROGRAMME: Political Science

Second Cycle of Studies (Master’s) — One-Year Programme

TABLE 1: COURSE STRUCTURE

Ord. No.	Code	Course Title	Semester	ECTS
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
1.	P31-301	Democratization	First	5.5
2.	P31-302	Applied Politics and Public Policy Analysis	First	5.5
3.	P31a-303 P31b-304	Compulsory-Elective Course: a. Comparative Politics b. International Relations	First	5
4.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	5
5.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	5
6.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	5
*Total ECTS for First Semester: 31*
Second Semester
7.	PZ1-305	Research Methodology in the Social Sciences	Second	6
		Project Work / Internship	Second	3
		Preparation and Defense of Master’s Thesis	Second	20
*Total ECTS for Second Semester: 29*
*Total ECTS in Study Programme:* 60

TABLE 2: ELECTIVE COURSES

Ord. No.	Code	Course Title	Semester	ECTS
1.	PI1-306	Public Opinion	First	5
2.	PI1-307	Electoral Systems and Political Parties	First	5
3.	PI1-308	Geopolitics	First	5
4.	PI1-309	Political Culture	First	5
5.	PI1-310	Political System of the EU	First	5
6.	PI1-311	Interest Groups and Lobbying	First	5
7.	PI1-312	Political Mobilization and Communication	First	5
8.	PI1-313	International Human Rights	First	5
9.	PI1-314	European Policies	First	5
10.	PI1-315	Multiculturalism	First	5
11.	PI1-316	Political Anthropology	First	5
12.	PI1-317	Ethnic Conflicts	First	5
13.	PI1-318	E-Democracy	First	5
14.	PI1-319	Political Psychology	First	5
15.	PI1-320	Politics and Religion	First	5
16.	PI1-321	Social Change	First	5
17.	PI1-322	Philosophy of Politics	First	5

STUDY PROGRAMME: Political Science

Second Cycle of Studies (Master’s) — Two-Year Programme

TABLE 1: COURSE STRUCTURE

Ord. No.	Code	Course Title	Semester	ECTS
FIRST YEAR
First Year / First Semester
1.	P231-301	Democratization	First	8
2.	P231-302	Applied Politics and Public Policy Analysis	First	8
3.	P231-303	Comparative Politics	First	8
4.	P231-304	International Relations	First	8
*Total ECTS for First Year / First Semester: 32*
First Year / Second Semester
5.	P231-305	Research Methodology in the Social Sciences	Second	8.5
6.	P231-306	Research Methods in Political Science	Second	8.5
7.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	Second	7
		Project Work / Internship	Second	4
*Total ECTS for First Year / Second Semester: 28*
*Total ECTS in First Year: 60*
SECOND YEAR
Second Year / First Semester
1.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	7
2.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	7
3.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	7
4.		Elective Course (from TABLE 2)	First	7
5.		Preparation and Registration of Master’s Thesis	First	2
*Total ECTS for Second Year / First Semester: 30*
Second Year / Second Semester
		Preparation and Defense of Master’s Thesis	Second	30
*Total ECTS for Second Year / Second Semester: 30*
*Total ECTS in Second Year: 60*
*Total ECTS in Study Programme: 120*

TABLE 2: ELECTIVE COURSES

Ord. No.	Code	Course Title	Semester	ECTS
1.	P2I2-307	Public Opinion	Second/Third	7
2.	P2I2-308	Electoral Systems and Political Parties	Second/Third	7
3.	P2I2-309	Geopolitics	Second/Third	7
4.	P2I2-310	Political Culture	Second/Third	7
5.	P2I2-311	Political System of the EU	Second/Third	7
6.	P2I2-312	Interest Groups and Lobbying	Second/Third	7
7.	P2I2-313	Political Mobilization and Communication	Second/Third	7
8.	P2I2-314	International Human Rights	Second/Third	7
9.	P2I2-315	European Policies	Second/Third	7
10.	P2I2-316	Multiculturalism	Second/Third	7
11.	P2I2-317	Political Anthropology	Second/Third	7
12.	P2I2-318	Ethnic Conflicts	Second/Third	7
13.	P2I2-319	E-Democracy	Second/Third	7
14.	P2I2-320	Political Psychology	Second/Third	7
15.	P2I2-321	Politics and Religion	Second/Third	7
16.	P2I2-322	Social Change	Second/Third	7
17.	P2I2-323	Philosophy of Politics	Second/Third	7