International Peace Studies

The Master's degree in International Peace Studies at the University for Peace offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education designed to prepare students for careers dedicated to promoting peace, conflict resolution, and sustainable development worldwide. This program integrates a diverse range of fields including international relations, law, environmental sustainability, gender studies, human rights, and conflict management, providing students with a holistic understanding of the complex factors that influence peace and security in the modern world. Students engage with theory and practical applications through a combination of coursework, case studies, and fieldwork, enabling them to analyze conflicts, develop strategies for peacebuilding, and implement policies that foster social justice and reconciliation.

The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and intercultural competence, equipping graduates to work effectively in international organizations, non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and community groups. The program emphasizes experiential learning and encourages students to participate in internships, research projects, and conferences that connect academic knowledge with real-world challenges. Faculty members are experts from diverse disciplines, offering mentorship and guidance to help students develop innovative solutions for peacebuilding and conflict transformation.

Located in Costa Rica, a global hub for diplomacy and environmental sustainability initiatives, the University for Peace provides a unique setting that enhances learning through interaction with international professionals and access to regional peacekeeping efforts. The program also fosters a commitment to social responsibility, ethical leadership, and cultural understanding, preparing graduates to become agents of change in their respective fields. Students benefit from a cosmopolitan environment that encourages collaboration across cultures and disciplines, reflecting the university’s core mission to promote peace and sustainable development worldwide. Upon completion, graduates are well-equipped to contribute to resolving conflicts, advocating for human rights, and building resilient and inclusive societies globally.

• UPEACE Foundation Course
• Introduction to International Peace Studies
• Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation
• The United Nations System and UPMUNC 
• Critical Seminars
• Religions, Cultures, War and Peace
• Gender in Peace Building 
• Research Methodology 
• The Kurds between Past and Present Genocides in Iraq
• Restorative Justice
• Strategic Nonviolent Resistance
• Tools for Conflict Resolution 
• Violent Extremism: causes, consequences, and solutions
• Identity Politics, Inclusion and Peace Building

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

T

wo 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 International Peace Studies program at the University for Peace is a comprehensive graduate degree designed to prepare students for effective careers in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and international diplomacy. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating theories and practices from political science, international relations, sociology, history, and law to equip students with a holistic understanding of peace and security issues worldwide. Students engage with a wide range of topics including conflict analysis, negotiation and mediation skills, human rights, sustainable development, gender, and environmental peacebuilding.

The curriculum combines rigorous coursework with practical field experiences, seminars, and internships, fostering analytical and leadership skills necessary for addressing complex peace and security challenges. Faculty members include experienced practitioners, scholars, and policymakers who bring real-world perspectives into the classroom. The program encourages critical thinking, ethical awareness, and cultural sensitivity, essential qualities for professionals working in diverse international contexts.

Students have opportunities to participate in joint research projects, conferences, and workshops, promoting international collaboration and network-building. The program is designed for individuals aiming to work with international organizations, NGOs, governmental agencies, or academic institutions. It aims to produce graduates who can contribute actively to peace processes, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction projects globally.

The duration of the program is typically two years, with coursework delivered in a hybrid format, combining on-campus sessions at the UPEACE campus in Costa Rica and online learning modalities. The language of instruction is English, and applicants are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the language. Admission requires a relevant undergraduate degree, relevant work experience, and a motivation to promote peace through professional activities.

The University for Peace emphasizes sustainable peace and justice, aligning its academic offerings with contemporary global challenges. Graduates of the International Peace Studies program are well-positioned to advance peace and security initiatives within a variety of international and domestic settings, preparing them to be leaders and facilitators in creating more peaceful societies worldwide.