Location:

Colon, Costa Rica

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Environmental Science

Program Overview

Program Description:

Our M.A. Programme in Environmental Security and Governance (ESG) is designed for those wishing to participate in environmental policy design at regional, national, and/or international levels. It pursues a comprehensive understanding of the complex interconnections among Global Environmental Change, peace, and conflict, and how these interconnections are addressed by policy makers in a variety of arenas. Emphasis is placed on the design of policies that reduce the threats to peace arising from environmental degradation, growing competition for natural resources, and climate change as well as methods for enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience in fragile ecosystems. Graduates possess the requisite skills and knowledge to work in international institutions, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and private sector firms engaged in environmental and development policy formulation, as well as to pursue advanced academic study in the social science of environmental governance. The Programme involves two semesters of graduate coursework followed by completion of a thesis or internship tailored to the student’s specific interests. Required courses are: PCS-6000 - Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (3 credits) ESP-6010 - Introduction to Environmental Security (3 credits) ESP-6020 - Introduction to Research Methods (3 credits) ESP-6140 - Environmental Conflict Management (2 credits) Elective courses may include: ESP-6051 - Environmental Justice and Social Movements (3 credits) ESP-6060 - Water, Security and Peace (3 credits) ESP-6070 - Disaster Risk Reduction at the Local Level (3 credits) ESP-6090 - Hunger, Famine and Food Security (3 credits) ESP-6100 - Environmental Security Assessment (3 credits) ESP-6120 - Human Vulnerability and Climate Change (3 credits) ESP-6201 - Climate Change Science (3 credits). ESP-6202 - International Climate Change Governance Systems (3 credits) ESP-6203 - Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation systems (3 credits) NRD-6020 - System Thinking (1 credit) NRD-6050 - Agriculture, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (3 credits) NRD-6051 - Measuring Sustainability (1 credit) NRD-6075 - Forests, Forestry and Poverty (2 credits) NRD-6081 - San José Environmental Seminar (1 credit) NRD-6092 - Coastal Resource Management (3 credits)

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

According to the UPEACE Charter, as approved by the General Assembly, "the University is established with a clear determination to provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace". To this end, the University was authorized by the General Assembly, inter alia, "to grant master's degrees and doctorates" . This unique world-wide authorization to award academic degrees, recognized by all countries which are members of the General Assembly, has been the basis of UPEACE's work ever since. Building on the strength of this unique and universal international mandate, the University established an International Academic Council, composed of distinguished academics from around the world, to review, validate and ensure the highest academic standards of its programmes and courses. Since 2008 UPEACE has also been a full member of the National Accreditation System of Costa Rica (SINAES) and the Central American Higher Education Accreditation Council (ACAP).

Financial Aid:

No

Requirements:

UPEACE invites applications from women and men who have the equivalent of a four-year undergraduate degree (BA, BS) or similar, from an accredited college or university. Students admitted to any UPEACE MA programme must exhibit an outstanding academic record