The International Peace Studies Dual Campus Master Programme is a shared initiative between the Nippon Foundation and the University for Peace, in collaboration with Ateneo de Manila University, which aims to provide students from Japan and other Asian countries with an opportunity to pursue a peace studies post graduate degree with a content-based language-training module. This offers the support for individuals who do not have a proficient command of English to work in this increasingly common international language and to become comfortable in their professional abilities as they gain academic skills. As part of the programme, students have also the opportunity to apply their academic and practical knowledge through a four-month internship at the end of the Master courses.
The reception of applications to the Dual Campus Master Programme on International Peace Studies is currently open. Students accepted in the programme will be automatically granted full scholarships provided by the Nippon Foundation. A full scholarship includes: tuition fee, the language module, academic materials, and air travel and living expenses during the period of studies.
Description of the programme
The Dual Campus Master Programme on International Peace Studies is designed to enable students from diverse cultures and backgrounds to attain a deep understanding of the central issues of peace and security which will determine the future of humanity. Through their coursework, participants in the programme broaden their base of knowledge and engage with the major concepts, themes, and debates within international peace and conflict studies, preparing themselves for work with NGOs, governments, aid agencies, the UN and other organizations where a deep understanding of theses issues is critical.
The programme provides students with the required theoretical and practical post graduate education to contribute to the work of building international peace. Furthermore, it empowers students to conceptualize the key challenges faced by the international community, and the most promising potential areas and courses of action through an interdisciplinary and multicultural programme.
In this 19-month intensive academic programme, the students undertake courses at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines as well as at the San José UPEACE headquarters in Costa Rica. It is accomplished in three terms which start at the end of the language-training module. The programme begins in April 2007.
The Dual Campus M.A. programme has been planned primarily for receiving students from several Asian countries where English is not a widely used language, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Exceptionally, students from other Asian countries may be admitted.
Academic schedule:
April 2007 - August 2007: students begin the stream with the five-month content based language instruction module in Manila. Students are expected to reach a score of 600 points of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at the end of the language module in order to undertake the academic courses of the programme. After the language training phase the group will travel to Costa Rica to join students registered in the regular International Peace Studies M.A. August 2007 - February 2008: the students will follow the standard International Peace Studies courses of the first term and part of the second term at UPEACE headquarters. They will be taking the following courses1: PCS 6000 Foundation in Peace and Conflict Studies IPS 6011 Conflict Prevention and Human Rights IPS 6020 Research Methods (I) IPS 6052 Sustainable Development IPS 6051 Political Economy and Peace IPS 6020 Research Methods (II) -Elective Course: to be chosen among 8-10 courses -Specialization Course: IPS 7030 Conflict Management, or IPS 7010 Economic Development and Peace, or IPS 6012 Peace Operations Click here to see a further description of the courses>>
March 2008 - June 2008: the students will return to Manila where they will undertake several courses (thematically and regionally focused) offered by Ateneo de Manila University. Students will also take part, at the end of this period, in the practices of Conflict Management and Peacebuilding training course. July 2008 - October 2008: the students will develop an internship in an international or non-governmental organization in the Philippines and prepare an internship final report in lieu of a Master’s thesis. Admission Requirements
Interested candidates should submit to the UPEACE Department of Academic Administration the following items: application form; official undergraduate or last degree Transcript/Course of Studies; three letters of Recommendation; Curriculum Vitae; a statement of purpose indicating why they are interested in the Programme; a printed score of the Test of English as a Foreign language (TOEFL) or other recognized English language tests2; financial certification; six recent passport-size photographs; and a Costa Rican Entry visa application form.
Click here for full information on admissions and on line applications. Send your questions to Carla Ortiz, Head of Academic Administration at: acadmin@upeace.org
Deadline for receiving application packages: December 15 th, 2006
1All courses of the UPEACE headquarters academic component are 3-credit courses, excepting the specialization ones which are 5-credit courses.
2UPEACE requests applicants to provide evidence that shows at least a medium level of English proficiency (TOEFL results should be at least 400 paper based and 170 computer based; IELTS results should be equal or over a band score of 6).