Location:

San Jose, Costa Rica

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Master

Specialty:

Legal Studies

Program Overview

Program Description:

The programme offers a solid foundation in international legal scholarship and practice before focusing on the specialized area of human rights. The programme is founded on a balance between three core dimensions. The first dimension is doctrine and practice. This element focuses on the foundations of international law and the vocabulary of norms and concepts (such as sources, sovereignty, and jurisdiction) employed by international lawyers and activists in the pursuit of their agendas, and of international organizations and tribunals in the performance of their functions. The second is theory and philosophy. International law and human rights are areas that enjoy worldwide intellectual attention and are the focus of ideological and scholarly debates and controversies. Authors and theorists from diverse fields will be studied as a means to connect the participants to ongoing debates in the discipline. Finally, a focus on “skills” is meant to prepare the student for the practical application of international legal and human rights concepts and norms in concrete situations. This includes the ability to draft reports and legal briefs, participate in negotiations, and critically analyze legal documents including treaties, resolutions, and judgments. The programme is designed for participants from all professional or academic backgrounds, and not only those possessing a legal education. Normally, successful applicants have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement in the field of law or the social sciences and possess 2-5 years or more of relevant working experience. Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in the promotion and protection of human rights and should offer a clear picture of how the programme matches their career goals. The 40 credits programme is divided into two semesters, between August of one year and May of the following year, followed by a 2-3 months independent study project for a total duration of 11 months. In the first semester, all International Law participants are instructed together from both the International Law and the Settlement of Disputes and the International Law and Human Rights Programmes. They are exposed to foundation courses in public international law, human rights, international organizations, legal research methods, and peace and conflict studies. In the second semester, participants will have the opportunity to focus on their specialized area, delving deeper into the exploration of human rights. During the end of the first semester and throughout the second semester, participants will be also working on an Independent Study Project. The University for Peace has access to the main focal points for the protection of human rights in the Americas. Both the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights are located in San José, Costa Rica, and leading personalities in these institutions are involved in the work of the programme. Courses are taught by leading scholars in the field from all over the world. Such scholars include prominent professionals from international organizations and specialized agencies. The International Law and Human Rights Department has agreements with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in San Jose and the International Committee of the Red Cross to cooperate with the Programme in the teaching of refugee law and humanitarian law within the context of the Master's degree programme.

Additional Program Information

Accreditation:

Internal accreditation

Financial Aid:

No