Environment, Development and Peace

The Master’s Degree in Environment, Development, and Peace at the University for Peace is a comprehensive graduate program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to address complex global challenges related to environmental sustainability, socio-economic development, and peacebuilding. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of ecological systems, human development, and conflict resolution, preparing graduates to become effective agents of positive change in diverse contexts worldwide. Participants will engage with key concepts such as sustainable development, environmental justice, conflict analysis, policy formulation, and participatory approaches to community engagement. The curriculum combines rigorous academic coursework with field-based projects, internships, and research activities, fostering critical thinking and innovative solutions to pressing issues like climate change, resource management, social inequality, and post-conflict reconstruction. Students will have the opportunity to learn from leading experts and practitioners in the field, gaining insights into international frameworks, policy development, environmental diplomacy, and peacekeeping strategies. The program encourages a collaborative learning environment that promotes dialogue among diverse perspectives, cultures, and disciplines, preparing graduates to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings. Graduates of this program will be well-equipped to contribute to policymaking, advocacy, research, and program implementation at local, national, and international levels. They will be prepared to work with governments, NGOs, community organizations, and international agencies dedicated to fostering sustainable development and peace. The University for Peace’s unique focus on peace education and conflict resolution, combined with its commitment to environmental and developmental sustainability, ensures that this program offers a distinctive and impactful educational experience aligned with global priorities for a more sustainable and peaceful future.

• UPEACE Foundation Course
• Environment, Conflicts, and Sustainability
• Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation
• The United Nations System
• Gender, Environment and Sustainable Development
• Water, Security and Peace
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Forests, Forestry and Poverty
• Management of Coastal Resources
• Research Methods
• Natural Resource Management Field Course
• Accelerating Climate Action
• Climate Adaptation and Climate Justice
• Food Security

• Leading in Times of Change: Innovating from the inside out

Required Supporting Documents to be Uploaded:

• English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS)
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Official Undergraduate (Bachelor's Degree) Transcripts and Degree Certificate
• Curriculum Vitae or Résumé
• UPEACE Acknowledgment of Financial Responsibility
• Copy of Passport (front page with photo only)
• Passport size photo

The online application only requires electronic (PDF) scans of required documents. Should admission be granted, the following documents will be eventually be required in official hard copy:

• English Proficiency Test Scores Report (TOEFL, IELTS) - if applicable
• Official Undergraduate Transcripts and Degree Certificate (and English translations if applicable)
• Six passport size photos

Upon submission of the on-line application form and supporting uploaded documents, the UPEACE Admissions system will send an automatic confirmation email. The date and time of submission will be noted in the system. Applications received after the established relevant deadline will be transferred for the subsequent academic year.

Each application received by the established deadline will be reviewed for completeness. A second acknowledgment will be sent to the applicant by the Admissions Officer informing whether or not the application is complete and able to be passed on for academic review.

We are not able to provide any information about the status of applicants over the phone or to third parties. Information will only be provided using the email entered by the applicant in the on-line application form.

Statement of purpose

The statement of purpose must be between 500 and 1,000 words and state the applicants name, the programme to which they are applying, and clear responses to the following questions:

• Why have you decided to apply to this programme?
• What are your expectations from this programme?
• What are your career plans after completing this programme?
• What type of multicultural exchanges have you had that would inform your academic experience in this programme?

Letters of recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required for all applicants. The letters should be from faculty or academic advisors from your academic experience or managers or other superiors from a professional work environment who are qualified to evaluate applicant's potential for graduate study. The letters need to include the referees title, their relation to, and how long they've known the applicant. The letters should also outline specific examples of applicant's work and why the referee feels the applicant is a fit for the specific UPEACE programme.

Examples of valid referees or recommenders are:

• Faculty, deans, or professors
• Academic advisors
• Immediate supervisors
• Research project managers
• Mentors in a superior position in the workplace, volunteer, or University setting

Tution and administrative fees: 19500 USD

Conditions of UPEACE Scholarships & Financial Assistance

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:

• The financial assistance awarded is non-negotiable.
• The scholarships/waivers do not apply to the US$ 2,500 administrative fee. This fee is mandatory for all students and is non-refundable if the student wishes to withdraw from UPEACE before completing his/her degree. Admitted students must comply with this financial obligation to UPEACE according to the required deadline outlined in their official admissions documents.
• Applicant are only eligible for one waiver category per application period. Waiver categories cannot be combined.
• Applicants eligible for a 50% waiver must apply directly through the UPEACE Admissions Office.

Automatic Scholarships/Waivers

30% Tuition Waiver (Automatic)

Available to M.A. and Doctorate students that meet one of the following criteria:

• Citizen or nationals of a signatory state to the UPEACE Charter
• Students who have received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a partner university
• Peace Corps veterans

50% Tuition Waiver (Automatic) 

Available to M.A. and Doctorate students that meet one of the following criteria:

• Professors from a partner university
• Costa Rican citizens and residents (host country)
• Current, full-time UN employees and volunteers
• Documented refugee or asylee

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.

The Master’s Degree in Environment, Development and Peace at the University for Peace is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to address complex global challenges related to environmental sustainability, social development, and peacebuilding. This interdisciplinary program emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecological integrity, economic development, and social cohesion, encouraging students to develop holistic approaches to sustainable development and conflict resolution. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including environmental management, climate change, biodiversity conservation, social justice, human rights, conflict analysis, and peacebuilding strategies. Students are engaged in both theoretical frameworks and practical applications, often participating in case studies, fieldwork, and collaborative projects with local communities, NGOs, and international organizations.

The program aims to foster critical thinking, leadership, and ethical decision-making, preparing graduates to work effectively in diverse settings such as international agencies, environmental organizations, governmental institutions, and community-based initiatives. The faculty comprises experienced professionals and academics with expertise in ecology, development studies, conflict resolution, and international law. The university's unique location in Costa Rica offers students an enriching environment for experiential learning, taking advantage of the country’s rich biodiversity and progressive environmental policies.

Students typically undertake research projects or theses that contribute to understanding and solving real-world issues related to sustainable development and peace. The program emphasizes a participatory and inclusive approach, encouraging dialogue among students from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Alumni of the program have gone on to serve in influential roles across the globe, promoting sustainable policies and peace initiatives. The language of instruction is primarily English, with some courses possibly offered in Spanish. Admission requirements include a relevant bachelor's degree, demonstrated commitment to community development or environmental issues, and proficiency in English. The duration of the program is generally one to two years, depending on the student's chosen pathway and iindividual circumstances. Graduates receive a Master’s Degree in Environment, Development and Peace, which qualifies them to advance their careers in sectors focused on sustainable development and peacebuilding.