MA in Environment, Development, and Peace with Specialization in Environmental Security and Governance University for Peace

The Master of Arts Degree in Environment, Development, and Peace (EDP) provides comprehensive training in issues of sustainable development, environmental governance, natural resource management, and environmental conflict management from both ecological and social perspectives. It encompasses a broad range of subjects and themes, including Food Systems, Water Management, Forestry, Coastal Resources, Climate Change, Urban Ecology, and Social Movements. The program focuses on the human dimensions of the environment-development nexus, highlighting the connections between local perspectives and broader processes at the national, regional, and global levels and emphasizing the importance of political-economic structures and inequality in access to resources as key drivers in environmental conflict and global environmental change. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in both environmental and development policy and programming in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Environmental Security and Governance

This specialization is designed for those wishing to work on global environmental governance issues. Students critically engage with issues concerning global environmental change and security. They will gain insights into different theoretical frameworks, institutional tools, and practical techniques related to water, food, and climate change, among others. Specifically, environmental security and governance specialization students will take the following courses as part of their degree program: Climate Change Governance; Water Security or Food Security; Environment, Conflicts and Sustainability.

Course Examples

• UPEACE Foundation Course
• Environment, Conflicts, and Sustainability
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Water Security
• Coastal Resource Management
• Forest, Forestry, and Poverty
• The United Nations System and UPMUNC (Part I)
• Research Methods
• Conservation through Reconciliation
• Environmental Justice
• Project Management
• The United Nations System and UPMUNC (Part II)
• Natural Resource Management Field Course
• Climate Change Governance
• Food Security
• Gender, Human Security, and Development
• Urban Sustainability
• Climate Adaptation and Climate Justice

Student Body

The University for Peace is characterized by its diversity and multiculturalism. For 2020-2021, we have 102 students from 38 countries. As a result, our campus is always full of student activities, most of them organized by the students themselves. In past years, we have had yoga classes, conversation classes in different languages, the celebration of cultural nights (Asian night, Latin night, European night, etc.), as well as institutional activities open to students (Zumba classes, academic "brown bag" lunches, etc.) The current situation has forced students to become more creative with regards to socializing and ensuring a rich student life at UPEACE.

Career Prospects

The Master of Arts Degree in Environment, Development and Peace prepares students for a wide range of careers in both environmental and development policy and programming in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.