Master's Degree in Constitutional Law: Theory and Practice

The courses offered in the first year of the program have two main objectives. First, the curriculum is intentionally broad-based because the careers students are preparing for require a solid theoretical foundation in all areas of public law, taught by faculty members who are specialists in those fields. Second, the program offers courses designed to introduce students to the disciplines that will be explored in greater depth in the second year, particularly constitutional law.
The courses offered during the second year of the program—delivered through lectures, case studies, and practical exercises—constitute a program of excellence with a primarily research-oriented focus, yielding highly significant results in terms of thesis production and success in competitive examinations for positions in higher education. Basic research in constitutional law can be conducted within CERCOP’s main areas of focus, namely the theory and philosophy of law, constitutional litigation, and comparative constitutional law.
The program includes a “Research Methodology” seminar that trains students in the practice of constitutional law research. This seminar is taught by a CERCOP faculty member. In particular, it provides students with the tools and methods needed to complete their research thesis.
Students also complete an internship within the research laboratory. Working closely with their faculty advisor, students will participate in the day-to-day activities of CERCOP. They will also be required to organize a “program study day,” which will take place at the end of the academic year on a topic chosen by the entire student body.
The administrative team also maintains close ties with the Constitutional Council, as each year a team of students from the program participates in the moot court competition organized by the Council (the Vedel Competition).
Finally, the program enables students to pursue careers in the public sector by preparing them for major civil service exams, particularly those for civil service positions in the National Assembly and the Senate, which are primarily taken by candidates holding a Master’s 2 degree in public law. For those wishing to become public law attorneys, the program enables them to acquire, in particular, a solid understanding of the QPC mechanism.

The Master’s program provides students with a high-level education in constitutional law, the law of fundamental freedoms, and legal theory. It offers career opportunities in the field of academic research and enables students who wish to do so to prepare for civil service exams, become a magistrate, or pursue a career as a public law attorney.