Face-to-face
31 May 2024
The Master of Arts Degree in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development (RMSED) emphasizes economic and management perspectives of peace while focusing on the concepts of sustainability and responsibility. Its creation was based on the belief that to better contribute to the promotion of sustainable peace, it is imperative to explore what role the economy plays in the world today and its impact on our environment and societies’ wellbeing. Issues of rural and urban poverty, growing inequalities and disparities, environmental degradation, financial crises and globalization are challenging political economic stability and social cohesion in all societies. Modern society faces the growing challenge of sustainability; finding solutions that will maintain and protect social systems for future generations. Students from the RMSED programme will become responsible managers with strong emphasis on sustainability that will be able to work in the corporate sector, public sector or social sector, both in industrialized and developing countries.
The following documentation is required to complete your application process. Please have them ready and on hand before beginning your online application process, as they will need to be uploaded into the system.
The online application requires electronic (PDF) scans of required documents. Should admission be granted, the following documents will be eventually be required in official hard copy:
UPEACE is a not-for-profit institution and has limited funds for financial assistance. Therefore we strive for balance, diverse class composition, and merit in distributing financial assistance among admitted students.
The prospective applicant has to be admitted to UPEACE in order to receive any possibility of financial assistance from the University, the latter of which is subject to the following conditions:
30% Tuition Waiver (Automatic)
Available to M.A. and Doctorate students that meet one of the following criteria:
50% Tuition Waiver (Automatic)
Available to M.A. and Doctorate students that meet one of the following criteria:
30% or 50% Tuition Waiver (Merit Based) – Available to Master’s applicants who do not belong to the above categories. These waivers are offered in limited number and will be awarded by merit, not financial condition. These waivers are not available to doctorate students.
Our programmes have highly practical components – several of our courses include field visits where we take students to visit different communities and projects throughout the country to offer hands-on learning experiences with our diverse and interdisciplinary community of collaborators in the field.
Our courses equip students with theoretical knowledge and tools to advocate for sustainable practices in diverse contexts. A concrete example is the greenhouse and garden in which our students can explore and experiment with sustainable agricultural practices to better understand the interrelationships between soil health, water protection, ecosystem dynamics, food security and circular economy, among others. We understand our greenhouse as a living laboratory in which our students play an important role throughout the academic year by planting, weeding, harvesting, watering, fertilizing and caring for their crops.
Please note that field trips can change from year to year.
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What is the start date for this programme?
The start date of this programme is 26 August 2024.
How much does this programme cost?
The cost of the programme is $19,500.00 USD.
Can I pay for this programme in instalments?
Yes, this programme is payable in 2-3 instalments.
Is this programme available online?
No. This is a synchronous face-to-face program, with eventually some courses being taught online.
What is the duration of this programme?
The duration of this programme is 2 semesters of course work with an extended time of 6 months to complete the final graduation project (a capstone, internship, or thesis). It is approximately a total of 16 months.
What is the final graduation project?
Students have three options:
2. Internship
3. Thesis
3. Capstone
Is this programme offered part-time or full-time?
This is a full-time programme.
Where is the campus located and what are the nearby towns like?
The campus is located in El Rodeo de Mora, Colón, San José, Costa Rica. This is a rural area, up a small mountain that is 7 kilometres from the town of Ciudad Colón. Ciudad Colon is a small town with all services (banks, coffee shops, two large supermarkets, farmer’s markets, a park, multiple gyms, a swimming pool, and other stores). This town is around 15 kilometres from a large shopping mall and 20 kilometres from the capital city San José.
Is the campus accessible by public transportation?
UPEACE provides students with several free of charge shuttles throughout the day from Ciudad Colón to campus and back.
Is the accommodation included in the tuition fee?
Accommodation is not included in the tuition fee and needs to be covered by the student.
What does the housing situation close to the campus look like?
Once you are accepted in the programme, you will receive access to our housing platform where you can find different accommodation that best fits your needs and budget, either in El Rodeo (closest to UPEACE) or in the town of Ciudad Colón. Suggested housing accommodations include room in a host family, studio, apartment, or house which could be shared with other students. For further questions regarding housing, please contact our colleague and housing officer Alvaro Castro: acastro@upeace.org
How can I issue my visa for Costa Rica?
This is case specific, but in general, once you are accepted in the programme, UPEACE’s visa officer will guide you through the process of getting your visa. For further questions regarding visa, please contact our colleague and visas officer Cynthia Díaz: cdiaz@upeace.org
What is the admission process for this programme?
Once you submit your application, we will review your package and make sure all documents are as requested. Then we’ll forward your file to the programme evaluators to review and decide if you’re qualified for admission.
In what language is this programme taught?
The programme is fully taught in English.
What department does the EDP programme belong to?
This programme belongs to the Department of Environment and Development.
Where do students work after graduating?
Our alumni work in a variety of fields and organizations. Some work for the private sector, some government organizations, some for the United Nations, some for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), while others follow a career in academia.
Does UPEACE help students find internships?
Our department faculty and staff assist you in identifying options for potential internships. We have an extensive database of organizations where our students have done their internships over the years available for our students.
Are there field visits in this programme?
Yes, most of our courses have field trips. Some are day trips; some can be overnight.
On these field trips student get the opportunity to visit different communities and projects throughout the country and gain hands-on learning experiences with our diverse and interdisciplinary community of collaborators in the field.
Where are the professors in the programme from?
Our resident and visiting faculty members come from a variety of countries and backgrounds. We have professors from Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, United States.