This degree is offered as part of a dual master's program in concert with American University's School of International Service in Washington D.C. Students receive a MA in International Affairs from American University and an MA in Natural Resources and Sustainable Development from the University for Peace. The program is unique in that students learn about environmental and development policies and practices from the perspectives of both the South and the North and within the framework of local and global contexts. American University's School of International Service in Washington, D.C. provides a strong foundation in international relations, environmental policy, and economics, while the University for Peace offers unparalleled opportunities to for field-based practical experience in sustainable development and natural resources management.

This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for managing environment and development issues and  provides them with opportunities to establish ties that bridge the North-South divide. These foundations enable graduates to formulate policies to advance sustainable development at local, regional and global levels, to facilitate international cooperation in the formulation of sustainable development and environment policy, and to generate strategies for environmental conflict management.

Plan of Studies: Students spend their first semester at American University learning the foundations of sustainable development policy both inside the classroom and within the Washington, D.C. policy community. They spend the next two semesters at the University for Peace studying concrete sustainable development practices with visits to many examples in Costa Rica and learning essential skills in project design and evaluation, environmental assessment and conflict management. For their final semester, they return to American University to write a substantial research paper, participate in an integrative seminar that exposes students to professional policy-making opportunities in D.C., and complete their final courses.

Admissions Procedure: Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor's degree or equivalent, with a cumulative grade point average of at least at 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants should have substantive social science and natural resources coursework/experience relevant to international studies. Basic Spanish conversational skills are required. International experience is considered an advantage.

Admission is handled by American University. Accordingly, all candidates, must follow the procedures listed at: http://www.american.edu/sis/admissions/graduate/requirements.htm. Once the admission applications are complete, applicants are evaluated by faculty at both universities. The admission letter is sent to successful applicants by both universities.

To apply on-line, click at: http://www.american.edu/sis/admissions/graduate/process.htm.

To receive additional information about the admission process, send a request to:

School of International Service
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C., 20016-8071
Fax: 202-885-2494
Tel: 202-885-1646
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To read more about the program visit the UPEACE website or click here to Apply Now.