38 Development Studies MA Degree Programs

Improve the human condition in vulnerable communities. Many communities around the world have been left behind — as evidenced by disparities in per capita earnings, health and life expectancy, political and human rights, personal security, and other measures of the human condition. This program emphasizes economic growth that is both environmentally sound and socially inclusive.

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.

The MA in Development and Human Rights blends modern insights from the fields of development studies, politics, political theory and international law.

With this Development Studies MA you will be encouraged to reflect directly on how questions of social justice should be connected to the theory and practice of development, and about race, class, gender and other identities. You’ll use this concept of social justice to investigate the legitimacy of power relations that shape social, political, and economic inequalities between different regions, states, groups and individuals.

This course focuses on social issues with an international dimension such as humanitarian aid, forced migration, human rights, social justice and social enterprise. In addition to gaining theoretical knowledge, you develop practical skills – such as advocacy and intercultural competence – so you can work effectively with communities and individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, in the UK and abroad. The course also exposes you to innovative approaches to enhancing and decolonising international social welfare and development, with case studies from across the globe.

The Media and Development MA is an interdisciplinary course that teaches main theories, concepts, case studies and practical media skills around the theme of media and development and its implications for less developed countries. The course will provide you with a unique blend of theory and practice teaching, aimed at deepening your knowledge of the history of communications within the development process of emerging economies.

The Global Development MA offers you an interdisciplinary, practical, skill-based training to become a competent, ethical development practitioner upon graduation.

The International Development Studies program grounds international development practitioners in the theories, policies, and skills necessary for operating at the forefront of the field. The curriculum leverages a combination of field-based research, studies in cultural contexts and ethics, and innovative practices to develop your marketable skills and experience.

The Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy, offered by UPEACE in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is an interdisciplinary program designed to enhance students' understanding of development, sustainability, and diplomacy while equipping them with essential soft skills for a successful international career. Offered online, the curriculum explores various dimensions of development—environmental, social, economic, and human—along with contemporary diplomatic practices. Students will benefit from skills development and coaching sessions tailored to enhance their professional prospects across diverse sectors, including governments, international organizations, and academia. Additionally, participants can opt for a field visit to Geneva or The Hague, providing a unique immersion in the realms of diplomacy and international law.

The Master of Arts in Development Studies and Diplomacy is an interdisciplinary and holistic program that will not only broaden student’s knowledge in the field of development studies, sustainability, and diplomacy but it will also equip them with the required soft skills for a successful international career in any of these areas of expertise. It is offered both online and face-to-face on the UPEACE campus in Costa Rica. During this program, students will analyze the different dimensions of development including, environmental, social, economic, and human dimensions as well as the theory and practice of diplomacy in the 21st century. Students will also attend skills development sessions that are designed to support their professional careers and employability. Careers in this field can be very broad. Prospective employers include governments, international organizations, development agencies, academia, and the private sector.

The MA in International Security and Development introduces you to the major issues and critical debates within a profoundly serious field.

Development and security are inextricably linked, yet all too often, these topics are addressed separately by both academics and policymakers. This Conflict, Security and Development MA is a unique, globally recognised course that does the opposite. It takes a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to teach you the dynamic ways in which conflict, insecurity and development interact, and help you develop a full understanding of these issues.

Explore how globalisation dynamics shape lives in resource poor settings and how local actors tackle global challenges. Get a better understanding of how globalisation and development are linked and how this plays out on the ground.

It aims at professionalizing those already working in development or others for whom an e-learning program seems most fitting. It offers a solid academic base in the field of development studies. Students learn relevant theories that are necessary to critically reflect current practices in the field of humanitarian and development aid. Courses such as project planning, monitoring and evaluation advance students’ practical competencies. Academic competencies taught in the area of research methods and writing skills enable a continuation of a scientific career.

The Master of Arts in Gender and Development offered by UPEACE, jointly with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), aims to equip students with critical knowledge about gender studies in its intersections with development studies. Gain the skills to advance gender equality with this graduate program focused on the crucial role of women in diplomacy and development.

The program offers an MA via research leading to a dissertation of around 44 000 words plus a research article prepared for publication. The dissertation is prepared for examination under the guidance of a supervisor with expertise in your choice of topic.

The Master of Arts in Gender and Development (hybrid) is a graduate programme that offers critical knowledge in gender studies in its intersections with development studies. In addition, this programme equips students with the required soft skills for a successful international career in this field.