Peace Education

Program Description: Peace Education at the University for Peace

The Peace Education program at the University for Peace is a comprehensive and transformative academic offering designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to promote peace, conflict resolution, and social justice in diverse settings worldwide. Rooted in the university’s mission to foster sustainable peace and understanding among peoples and nations, this program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, critical thinking, and practical application of peacebuilding strategies.

Throughout the program, students explore core themes such as conflict analysis, negotiation and mediation techniques, human rights, development, and the role of education in fostering a culture of peace. They engage with a broad curriculum that combines theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies, enabling them to understand the complex root causes of conflicts and the multifaceted approaches needed for effective resolution. The curriculum also emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity, ethical considerations, and participatory methods in peace education.

Students participate in interactive workshops, seminars, and fieldwork, providing hands-on experience in designing and implementing peacebuilding initiatives. The program encourages collaborative learning and fosters networks among diverse student bodies, local communities, NGOs, and international organizations. This global perspective prepares graduates to work in diverse environments, including conflict zones, development agencies, educational institutions, and governmental bodies.

The faculty comprises experienced scholars and practitioners in peace studies, conflict resolution, human rights, and international development, providing mentorship and practical insights. The university’s unique location and international focus create a dynamic learning environment that promotes dialogue among students from different cultural and professional backgrounds.

Graduates of the Peace Education program are equipped to become effective peacebuilders, educators, and advocates for social justice. They are prepared to contribute to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction efforts around the world. Whether working in policy development, community organizing, or international diplomacy, alumni are committed to advancing peaceful and sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

By integrating academic excellence with practical experience and a global outlook, the Peace Education program at the University for Peace aspires to develop influential leaders dedicated to creating a more just, peaceful, and inclusive world.

Courses Common to all UPEACE Academic Programmes

• UPM 6001 UPEACE Foundation Course (3 Credits)
• UPM 6003 The United Nations System and UPMUNC (3 Credits)

Course Common to all PCS Programmes

• PCS 6008 Research Methodology (3 Credits)
• PCS 6011 Tools for Conflict Resolution and Transformation (3 Credits)
• UPE 6064 Working in Conflict Areas - Field Training (2 Credits)
• PCS 6012 Identity Politics, Inclusion and Peace Building (3 Credits)

Courses for Peace Education (PE) 

• PEP 6010 Peace Education: Theory and Practice (3 Credits)
• PEP 6044 Education for Sustainability (3 Credits)
• GPB 6026 Gender in Peacebuilding and Human Security (3 Credits)
• IPS 6064 Restorative Justice (2 Credits)
• PEP 6043 Human Rights Education (3 Credits)
• PEP 6025 Education in Emergencies: Armed Conflicts, Disasters, and Health Crisis  (3 Credits) 
• Graduation Project: Thesis (8 Credits) or Internship (8 Credits) or Capstone (5 Credits)*

  *NOTE: Students who choose Capstone as Graduation Project must take an extra 3-credit course according the following options:

  1. One additional course (face to face modality), which means taking 2 parallel regular master courses (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) if approved by the student's MA Programme Coordinator

  2. One additional 3-credit course or two additional 2-credit courses (online modality), which means taking 2 or 3 parallel courses (one face-to-face master course and one 3 credit course or two 2-credit courses approved by the student's Programme Coordinator) before June 2019

  3. One additional 3-credit course or two additional 2-credit courses (online modality) extended from June 2019 until December 2019 (the online course or courses must be approved by the student's Programme Coordinator)

Program requirements for the Peace Education MSc at the University for Peace typically include the completion of core courses in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, human rights, and education for sustainable development. Applicants are generally expected to hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. A demonstrated interest or background in peace studies, education, or related fields is preferred. Proficiency in English must be documented through standardized tests such as TOEFL or IELTS unless the applicant's previous degree was completed in English. Submission of academic transcripts and a curriculum vitae detailing relevant experience is required. Letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources that can assess the applicant's potential for graduate-level work are also necessary. Some programs may require a statement of purpose outlining academic interests and career goals related to peace education. Prior experience in teaching, community work, or conflict-affected areas can strengthen an application but is not mandatory. International applicants must provide proof of financial resources to cover tuition and living expenses during the program. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, so students from diverse academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The program may include a mandatory in-person residency component, as well as online coursework, depending on the semester or specific curriculum modifications. Additional requirements, such as a relevant research project or thesis on peace education, may be stipulated for graduation. The university values diversity and encourages applicants from various countries and cultural backgrounds to foster a global dialogue on peace and education.

• UPEACE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

UPEACE as a not-for-profit institution has limited funds for financial assistance. Therefore we strive for balance, diverse class composition, and merit in distributing financial assistance among admitted students.

Regulations to Receive Financial Assistance at UPEACE

The prospective applicant has to be admitted to UPEACE in order to receive any possibility of financial assistance from the University.

• The financial assistance awarded is not negotiable.
• The below waivers are not applicable to the $2,500 administrative fee. This fee is mandatory for all students and is non-refundable. Admitted students must comply with this financial obligation to UPEACE according to the required deadline outlined in their official admissions documents sent from the UPEACE Admissions Office.

Financial Assistance Categories

30% Tuition Waiver (Automatic) - Available to Master's and Doctorate students that meet one of the following:

• Citizen or nationals of a signatory country of the UPEACE Charter
• Students who have received an undergraduate or graduate degree from a partner university
• Peace Corps veterans
• UPEACE Alumni (admitted to UPEACE doctorate programme)
   
• ONLY for MA in Spanish (Resolución de Conflictos, Paz y Desarollo): Citizens or nationals of countries where Spanish is the official language. 
   

50% Tuition Waiver (Automatic) - Available to Master's and Doctorate students that meet one of the following:

• 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.

Signatory Countries

• Argentina
• Bangladesh
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Cyprus
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Honduras
• India
• Italy
• Liberia
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Montenegro
• Nicaragua
• Pakistan
• Panama
• Peru
• Philippines
• Republic of Korea
• Russian Federation
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• St. Lucia
• Suriname
• Togo
• Turkey
• Uruguay
• Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)

Partner Universities

• Addis Ababa University  (Ethiopia)
• Ahfad University for Women (Sudan)
• American University (Washington, D. C.)
• Arcadia University  (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
• Ateneo de Manila University (Philippines)
• Bahçeşehir University  (Turkey)
• Banaras Hindu University  (India)
• California State University  (San Bernardino, CA, USA)
• Catholic University of Eastern Africa  (Kenya)
• Claflin University (South Carolina, USA)
• Comisión Nacional de Préstamos para la Educación (CONAPE)  (Costa Rica)
• Cooperbelt University (Zambia)
• Fairleigh Dickinson University (New Jersey, USA)
• Earth Charter International  (Costa Rica)
• Erbil University (Kurdistan, Iraq)
• European Centre for Peace and Development (Belgrade)
• Femmes Africa Solidarité  (Switzerland)
• Florida International University  (Miami, FL, USA)
• Foundation for Environmental Security and Sustainability (FESS)  (Falls Church, VA, USA)
• Fourah Bay College at University of Sierra Leone  (Sierra Leone)
• Geneva School of Diplomacy (Switzerland)
• George Mason University  (Fairfax, VA, USA)
• The Hague University of Applied Sciences (The Netherlands)
• Hiroshima City University (Japan)
• Institut Barcelona D’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI) (Spain)
• The Institute for Peace at Bibliotheca Alexandrina  (Egypt)
• Inter-American Court of Human Rights (ICHR)  (Costa Rica)
• International Institute of Social Studies  (The Netherlands)
• International University of Monaco  (Monaco)
• IUCN – The World Conservation Union  (Switzerland)
• Kobe University  (Japan)
• Leeds University  (United Kingdom)
• Leiden University College The Hague (The Netherlands)
• Loyola Law School  (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
• Marianopolis College (Canada)
• Moscow State Institute of International Relations of MFA of Russia  (Russia)
• National Council of YMCAs of Korea (Republic of Korea)
• Norwegian University of Life Sciences (Norway)
• The National University of Rwanda (Rwanda)
• PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development (Senegal)
• Peace and Sport, L’organisation pour la paix par le sport  (Monaco)
• Pontificia Javeriana University Cali  (Colombia)
• Rwanda Peace Academy  (Rwanda)
• Search for Common Ground (Washington, D. C.)
• Uganda Martyrs University  (Uganda)
• UN Department for Disarmament Affairs (UNDDA)  (New York, USA)
• UNEP – The Regional Office for Europe  (Switzerland)
• UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education (The Netherlands)
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)  (Kenya)
• United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)  (Switzerland)
• United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)  (Switzerland)
• United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)  (Italy)
• United Nations University (Japan)

• United World College (UWC Costa Rica)

• Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio (UAX) (Spain)

• Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (Spain)
• Université Catholique de Bukavu (Congo)
• Université de Cocody  (Côte D’Ivoire)
• Université du Burundi  (Burundi)
• Université Libre des Pays des Grands Lacs (Congo)
• University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (Senegal)
• University of California at Berkeley  (Berkeley, CA, USA)
• University of Colombo  (Sri Lanka)
• University of Dar es Salaam  (Tanzania)
• University of Dhaka  (Bangladesh)
• University of Djibouti  (Djibouti)
• University of Dohuk  (Kurdistan Region of Iraq)
• University of Gulu  (Uganda)
• University of Hargeisa  (Somaliland)
• University of Innsbruck  (Austria)
• University of Jos  (Nigeria)
• University of Karachi  (Pakistan)
• University of San Francisco (United States)
• University of Utah  (Salt Lake City, UT, USA)
• University of Winnipeg  (Canada)
• University of Zalingei  (Sudan)
• UPEACE The Hague Centre (The Netherlands)
• West Texas A&M University  (Canyon, TX, USA)
• Western Washington University  (Bellingham, WA, USA)

Graduates of the programme will be sensitive to peace-oriented values and principles and empowered with a critical understanding and knowledge of the root causes of diverse conflicts as well as nonviolent strategies for transforming these conflicts toward a peaceful world. They will also be able to share creative curriculum and pedagogical skills in peace education in formal contexts (e.g., schools, universities, departments or ministries of education) and equally in non-formal and community contexts (e.g., intergovernmental or state agencies, private sector, NGOs, and CSOs).

MA Peace Education Graduates since 2004 are now

• Lecturers, Senior Lecturers, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors.
• Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Peace Education Consultants, Curriculum Developers in public and private school systems
• Program and Project Coordinators  in various international agencies such as UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, and NGOs such as Teachers without Borders, Save the Children, Amnesty International, Project Ploughshares, Peace Brigades International, and many more.
• Pursuing doctoral studies.