Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy

Hybrid Programme Modules

The HYBRID Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy will be implemented both face-to-face in San José, Costa Rica on UPEACE’s campus, and online on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment in a synchronous manner.

Course List:

• Foundation Course (UPEACE)
• Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management (UNITAR)
• Development Studies and International Cooperation (UPEACE- Online)
• The UN System and UPMUNC Part 1 (UPEACE)
• Geopolitics and Geoeconomics in the 21st Century (UPEACE) 
• Social Research Methods (UPEACE)
• Diplomacy in the 21st Century (UNITAR)
• Climate Change Governance (UPEACE)*
• Food Security (UPEACE)*
• Development and Conflict in Practice: Role and Application of Sustainability Frameworks in Development Projects (UPEACE)
• Indigenous Perspectives on Environment and Development (UPEACE)*
• Circular Bioeconomy (UPEACE)*
• International Law and Diplomacy (UPEACE)*
• Skills for a Successful International Career (UNITAR)
• Model UN Conference (UPMUNC) (UPEACE)
• Final Graduation Project (UPEACE)

Online Programme Modules

The ONLINE Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy will be implemented online on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment in an asynchronous manner.

Course List:

• Development Studies and International Cooperation (UPEACE)
• Peace and Conflict Studies; The Foundation Course (UPEACE)
• Sustainable Development Theory, Policies and Practice (UPEACE)
• Transformative Education in Precarious Times: Educational and Pedagogical Possibilities (UPEACE)*
• Migration and its link to Peace, Security, and Sustainable Development Agenda (UPEACE)*
• Food Security (UPEACE)*
• Research Methodology (UPEACE)
• Sustainable Development Goals (UPEACE)
• Global Governance (UPEACE)
• International Law, Borders and Conflicts (UPEACE)*
• Workshop on Negotiation and Mediation Skills (UPEACE)*
• Gender and Peacebuilding (UPEACE)*
• Introduction to the United Nations System (UNITAR)
• Climate Adaptation and Justice (UPEACE)*
• World Politics (UPEACE)
• Conflict Analysis (UPEACE)*
• Globalization and Human Rights (UPEACE)*
• Environment, Development, and Peace (UPEACE)*
• Conflict Resolution and Crisis Management (UNITAR)
• Human Rights, Internet and Sustainable Development (UPEACE)*
• Diplomacy in the 21st Century (UNITAR)
• Fundraising for Sustainable Development (UPEACE)*
• Independent Research Project (UPEACE)

* Optional courses

Online M.A. in Development Studies and Diplomacy Calendar (2024-2026): click here. 

Field Visits

Students admitted to the programme are offered a unique opportunity to partake in an optional field visit to Geneva, Switzerland, and/or The Hague, Netherlands, immersing themselves in the heart of diplomacy and international law. 

The five-day field trip(s) cost USD 1,500 each and include exclusive experiences such as visiting various international organizations, the ICRC museum in Geneva, the ICJ in The Hague, and engaging in networking sessions with diplomats, personnel from permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants working in international organizations, and representatives from civil society.

Scheduled for the summer, the confirmed dates for these optional field visits will be shared with interested students by UPEACE and UNITAR well in advance. Students have the flexibility to enrol in either the Geneva or The Hague visit individually, or they can choose to participate in both field trips to maximize their learning experience.

(*) Please note that the fellowship programme does not include travel, accommodation, food, or visa expenses. Please note that students should have a valid health insurance plan in place during their stay in Switzerland and/or The Netherlands.

Costs

The cost for pursuing the Master of Arts in Development Studies in Hybrid Format is USD 19,500*, while the Online Format is USD 8,700. This includes tuition, administrative fees, and other associated costs. It is important to note that additional expenses, such as textbooks, accommodation, field visits, and living expenses, may not be covered in this figure.

Hybrid:

(*) UN Staff and Costa Rican nationals will be eligible for a 50% waiver (9,750 USD). All other applicants may apply for a 20% waiver (15,600 USD) which may be granted in limited numbers by mutual decision of UPEACE and UNITAR to ensure equitable gender and regional representation.

Online:

Pura Vida Fellowships

In 2023, the University for Peace (UPEACE) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) collaborated on the “Art for Peace” NFT collection, featuring Costa Rican artist Gussa’s digital artwork under the title “Pura Vida.”

This initiative gave rise to the “Pura Vida” Fellowship Programme, offering fellowships for UPEACE-UNITAR joint Master’s and Certificate Programmes, as well as Field Visits to Geneva and The Hague. The fellowships aim to enhance inclusion, by empowering nationals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Eligibility: To be considered for the Pura Vida Fellowship, applicants must be nationals from the LDCs or SIDS included on the official UN lists:

LDC List
SIDS List

Selection Process
UPEACE and UNITAR will consider academic background, professional experience, and the relevance of the applicant’s degree to the chosen programme in the selection process for the Pura Vida Fellowships.

Application Process
Prospective Fellows are encouraged to apply and can seek further information by emailing admissions@upeace.org or click the image below.

Become a Pura Vida Fellow; click the image below for more information.