Courses

• Master's
• PhD

Master's Degree

During the Master's degree course, the student must accumulate 30 (thirty) credits. These credits must consist of 06 (six) regular compulsory disciplines, 04 (four) compulsory disciplines within the student's specialization area, 04 (four) compulsory disciplines in the research field, and 16 (sixteen) electives within the student's specialization area. The student may eventually take disciplines or oriented studies outside of their specialization area; these disciplines can add up to a maximum of one third of the electives' minimum total credit. The set of minimum credits must be obtained by the first year in the course – established by the candidate's registration –, and the Collegiate Committee can extend the deadline by one more semester in exceptional cases. The credits are assigned in the ratio of 01 (one) to 15 (fifteen) hours of class in any approved discipline. The students must present their final research project by the end of the course's first semester.

They must then defend their Master's dissertation within a maximum period of 24 (twenty-four) months from their first enrollment in the Program. Based on the rules established by the Collegiate Committee, this deadline may be postponed for a period of 06 (six) months if deemed necessary under exceptional circumstances. Failure to comply with the deadline will automatically result in the student's dismissal. Additionally, as indicated by the Postgraduate Collegiate Committee, students not graduated in Law must take 16 (sixteen) Undergraduate Law Degree credits during their first year, by way of levelling. These 16 (sixteen) credits will not count towards the student's minimum credit score.

Doctoral Degree (PhD)

In the PhD course, students must take 48 (forty-eight) credits. Of these 48 (forty-eight), 06 (six) credits must consist of regular compulsory disciplines, 04 (four) credits of compulsory disciplines within the student's specialization area, 04 (four) credits of compulsory disciplines in the research field, 08 (eight) credits in disciplines of doctoral topics, 08 (eight) credits of seminars, 02 (two) credits of the Qualification Exam, and 16 (sixteen) credits of elective disciplines in the student's specialization area.

The credits are assigned in the ratio of 1 (one) to 15 (fifteen) hours of class in any approved discipline. The research seminars aim to open a discussion on the candidate's work, which should be developed with the support of the academic community, in order to contribute to its improvement. The candidate's supervisor may also require, as a condition for approval in the seminars, the publication of scientific articles related to their doctoral thesis as well as participation in scientific events. The Qualification Exam consists of a written test in which the student must demonstrate their knowledge on the main themes, concepts and authors of their research line. The failure to pass in two qualification exams will result in the student's dismissal.

In addition to the minimum credits, the doctoral candidate must submit their thesis to a pre-defense panel consisting of three specialized professors prior to submitting their thesis for public defense before a five-member panel. This pre-defense panel may refuse, approve or offer suggestions and changes to the work to be presented for public defense. The student must defend their doctoral thesis within a maximum period of 48 (forty-eight) months from the first enrollment in the Program. Failure to comply with the deadline will automatically result in the student's dismissal.