The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

M.A. in International Law and Diplomacy (in partnership with UPEACE)

The Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy (online and hybrid formats) is a two-year. graduate program permitting students to specialize in the interface between international law and diplomacy. It will not only broaden students' knowledge in the field of international law and its various foundational dimensions but will also equip them with knowledge and skills to work in the field of diplomacy and related international careers.

During this program, students will analyze the different dimensions of international law including those related to law-making, armed conflicts, human rights, economic relations, territorial and maritime disputes, and environmental disputes as well as those related to the theory and practice of diplomacy in the 21st century including dispute settlement and conflict resolution. Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional careers and employability.

Application Deadline:

-The online course (Distance Learning) application deadline is 25 June 2026.

Course Start Date:

-The online course (Distance Learning) begins the 6th July 2026.

Tuition Fees:

-The online course (Distance Learning) fee is $11,000 USD.

UN staff will be eligible for a 20% waiver and Costa Rican nationals will be eligible for a 30% waiver.

Outstanding Benefits

This unique program, backed by the United Nations, is designed to give students a first-hand experience in the field of international law, international affairs, and diplomacy.

• Learn from highly experienced experts
• Field visit to Geneva, the birthplace of the UN, and the Hague, the heart of international law
• Benefit from an interdisciplinary approach
• Flexible learning methods with a diversity of optional courses
• Broad employment perspectives

Format

The Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy (hybrid) will be implemented partly on-campus at UPEACE in San Jose, Costa Rica (first semester) and online (second, third and fourth semesters). All online courses will be hosted on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment.

The Master of Arts in International Law and Diplomacy (online) will be implemented online. All subjects will be hosted on UPEACE’s Virtual Learning Environment.

Students can also enroll in any of the individual courses offered by the Online Program. Students enrolling in and successfully completing individual courses for credits will obtain a certificate of completion and upon request, an academic transcript. Students enrolling in and successfully completing individual courses without credits will obtain a certificate of completion.

Field visit to Geneva and Hague

During this activity, students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the very heart of diplomacy, visit different international organizations, and network with other diplomats, personnel of permanent missions accredited to the UN, civil servants of international organizations, and civil society representatives.

Students will spend 5 days in Geneva (Switzerland) OR 5 days in The Hague (Netherlands). The fee for the five-day field visit is $1,500. The fee does not include travel, accommodation, food, or visa expenses.