2016-07-27

Article 1 Joint Master's Program

 

The Joint Master in Strategic Studies is a two-year postgraduate program at the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences, in accordance with the agreement signed with the Lebanese Army. The selection of professors, the admission of students, and the awarding of the degree are carried out in accordance with the university regulations, taking into account the special provisions of the agreement, which is the reference in interpreting the provisions of this regulation.

The mission of the Joint Master in Strategic Studies contributes to achieving the comprehensive and integrated development of the Lebanese society, enhancing communication between the Lebanese Army and the Lebanese University and thus strengthening national unity as well as civil-military relations through the establishment of a joint research master, which includes civilian and military students.

 

Article 2 Joint Management Board

 

First: The board established according to Article 4 of the agreement shall be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Following up on the implementation of the agreement and submitting the necessary suggestions and recommendations to the University Presidency and the Lebanese Army Command.

2. Proposing the amendment of the Master's curricula and referring it to the University Council through the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences after the approval of the Faculty Council.

3. Studying the files of student candidates and supervising the exams.

4. Following up the exams.

5. Following up the affairs of students and faculty members.

 

Second: The board meets at the Research & Strategic Studies Center in the Lebanese Army, or at the headquarters of the Deanship of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

 

Third: The board's archives are kept at the headquarters of the Deanship of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences, and a duplicate copy at the Center for Research & Strategic Studies.

 

Fourth: The board meets at the invitation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences or the Head of the Center for Research & Strategic Studies, as needed, and takes its decisions by consensus.

 

Article 3 Special Conditions for Student Admission

 

In accordance with the provisions of the agreement with the Lebanese Army, a candidate for the Master of Strategic Studies should fulfill the following requirements:

- A university degree in one of the following majors: Law, Political Science, History, Geography, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, Media.

Proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

- Exercising a public job (third category and above or its equivalent in public institutions), or officers affiliated with security institutions other than the army, or practicing a free profession for more than five years, provided that graduates of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences are exempted from this requirement.

- As for Lebanese Army officers, the officer is required to hold the rank of major and above.

 

Article 4 File study and entrance exam

 

1. In October of each year, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences announces the opening of the Master of Research program and circulates a special announcement to the head of the Center for Research & Strategic Studies to be distributed to all faculties of the Lebanese Army.

The announcement shall specify:

- Deadlines for accepting applications.

- The date and time of the announcement of those accepted to take the written exams.

- Date of announcement of the final results.

2. After receiving the applications, the board meets to study the files according to the criteria specified in Article 5 of the agreement, and those accepted for the written tests are determined.

3. Candidates take a mandatory foreign language test in French and English. For civilian students, the test is administered by the Languages Department at the Lebanese University. For officers, it is administered by the Army Command's Operations Staff - Education Directorate.

4. Candidates will take a written exam on a general topic decided by the Joint Management Board and administered at one of the Lebanese University facilities.

5. Candidates with the highest total score will be admitted according to the ranking resulting from the sum of the points obtained by each student as a result of the tests taken.

6. The classification is issued according to two lists: One for officers and one for civilian students.

 

Article 5 Number of students

 

The number of students accepted to study in the Master's program is limited to eighteen students, including nine civilians and nine officers, based on the agreement signed between the Lebanese University and the Lebanese Army.

 

Article 6 Registration

 

The student should complete his/her academic registration after passing the CEE at the place specified in the announcement issued by the Deanship of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

 

Article 7 Attendance

 

1. Classes at the Center for Research & Strategic Studies are given in the afternoon three days a week (2:30 pm - 9:30 pm). Other days may be added to cover the scheduled courses or to give lectures by non-faculty members to enrich the student's knowledge.

2. Students' attendance is mandatory at all times when courses are taught.

3. The student's attendance in these courses should not be less than 80% of the number of hours allocated thereto, provided that the student justifies his absence with an acceptable excuse.

4. A student who does not comply with attendance in accordance with the aforementioned provisions shall be deprived of taking the exam in the course for which he did not fulfill the attendance percentage prescribed in this system.

5. Students benefit from the services of the Center's library and the library of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences in accordance with the instructions of these two libraries.

 

Article 8 Assessment and Examination

 

1. The final grade assigned to each module consists of the sum of the continuous assessment grade and the final research grade for the module.

2. Continuous assessment utilizes various evaluation methods such as written tests, reports, and research.

3. The grade is calculated according to the following principles:

• 10% for evaluating the student's effort, participation and discussion in the courses.
• 25% for the oral report discussion.
• 25% for a research paper or a critical review of a book.
• 40% for the final written research paper on a topic chosen by the course professor or the student after the professor's approval, provided that the applicable academic standards are respected.

4. If a student fails to submit or participate in any of the required works in each course, he/she will not be allowed to continue studying in the respective course.

5. Any student who submits an exam in a foreign course in a language other than the language in which he/she is academically registered at the beginning of the semester will receive zero points.

6. The nature of the teaching curriculum in this program requires student participation and interaction with the professor and each other within academic standards, taking into account the nature of the political academic program, so that the student can express his opinion supported by logical arguments, scientific facts and statistical figures.

 

Article 9 Terms of success

 

The required passing average is 50/100 and above for each course.

The student is promoted from the first year to the second year if his/her total average score is 50/100 and above, provided that the score is not less than 50/100 for more than two courses.

The Master's degree requires passing all required courses, in addition to the thesis.

 

Article 10 Duration

 

The duration of the Master's degree may not exceed a maximum of four years from the date of the first administrative enrollment in the first semester. No extension is allowed for any reason whatsoever.

 

Article 11 Thesis

 

The student can register the thesis topic at the end of the second semester and before the end of the third semester, according to the registration procedures established at the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

 

Article 12 Curricula

 

The curricula of the Master's program shall be determined according to the attached tables, which are an integral part of this decision and shall be amended based on the proposal of the Joint Administrative Board and after the approval of the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences and the Lebanese University Council.

 

Article 13 Completion of studies

 

Students with a Master's degree in Strategic Studies can complete their PhD studies at the Doctoral School of Law, Political, Administrative & Economic Sciences, provided they pass the exams administered by the Doctoral School.

 

Article 14 Miscellaneous provisions

 

1. When applying or interpreting these regulations, the provisions of the agreement between the Lebanese University Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences and the Lebanese Army and the Center for Strategic Research & Studies shall be taken into account.

2. In everything that does not contradict these regulations, the Joint Master in Strategic Studies is subject to all regulations in force at the Lebanese University, especially the bylaws of the Faculty of Law, Political & Administrative Sciences.

3. Students should abide by the instructions and respect the regulations issued by the Lebanese Army and the Center for Strategic Research & Studies.

 

Beirut, 27 July 2016

President of the Lebanese University

Adnan Al-Sayyed Hussain

 

Decision