Master's in Public Law and Litigation

Major in Public Law

• Master's in Public Law and Litigation
  Academic Directors: Pascale Idoux and Fanny Tarlet

Generalist Master’s Program. The new Master’s in Public Law at Montpellier is a selective, high-level program that aims to train generalists in public law who are immediately ready to enter the professional world. We believe that the most effective approach to public law is a comprehensive one; that is why the Public Law and Litigation track offers in-depth instruction in all areas of public law—both theoretical and practical—and covers all levels of legislation and litigation.

Course Content. Our goal is to provide our students with both fundamental knowledge and a broad legal education, as well as specialized expertise in fields currently undergoing change. With this in mind, courses are devoted to sustainable development law and public digital law, and seminars focus on issues related to the future of public law. The litigation component of the Master’s program is, of course, particularly comprehensive and well-developed, covering all levels of the judicial system. The program thus offers a truly broad foundation in public law.

Continuity Between M1 and M2. The two years of the Master’s program are designed as a single, cohesive unit, with a progressive curriculum that guides students toward greater autonomy each semester. In this way, our students develop and tailor their projects through a process of collaborative knowledge creation over the course of two years. We therefore implement an innovative teaching approach that encourages student initiative.

Practical Experience. Our students participate in the Legal Clinic and work on supervised projects. In addition to core coursework, they benefit from methodology lectures and a wide range of practical seminars and case studies, particularly in the Public Affairs Practice module.

In addition, the Master’s in Public Law is compatible with the Magistère in Applied Public Law at the University of Montpellier.

Customized curriculum in the M2 program. Students can choose from three alternative tracks in the M2 program. They have a flexible schedule that allows them to select one of the following three projects:

• Writing a research thesis: The master’s program is directly affiliated with our laboratory, CREAM (Montpellier Center for Research and Administrative Studies), and students regularly work there alongside doctoral students and their faculty members when they are not working in the master’s program’s own office, located on the same premises.
• Preparation for competitive exams: CRFPA for future attorneys, TACAA advisors for future administrative judges, senior civil service positions, etc.
• Internship: Every other week is spent at a government agency, court, law firm, or company to help students gain professional experience; during this time, they sign an employment contract and are paid for 12 months.

Faculty. The faculty and instructors in the Master’s in Public Law program include academics, faculty members engaged in research, administrative judges, and public law specialists from a variety of backgrounds who share their unique career paths and experiences with our students.

Admissions. Student selection for the Master’s program is based on simple criteria: while strong undergraduate grades are expected, each student’s personal goals and motivation are key factors for us, regardless of the applicant’s home university. Admissions interviews are held in June or July.