The Master of Arts (MA) in Peace and Conflict Studies provides knowledge and skills in understanding the sources, progression, management and resolution of conflict. The programme progresses from coursework in the foundational areas of Human Rights, Human Security, Indigenous Knowledge and Environment, to specialisations in four streams of: Diplomacy and Strategic Studies; Human Rights, Governance and Peacebuilding; Human Security and Development; Environment, Sustainable Development and Peace and ends with a dissertation.
Graduate Entrance Requirements, Curricula and Degree Regulations
A minimum of five (5) credit O-Levels
An undergraduate degree from a recognized (HEA-approved) University
Progression
Based on a GPA system, a student is allowed to proceed to the next stage when they pass their courses. Students who fail some courses are allowed to re-sit if they have a GPA of not less than 2.0 at the end of stage three.
A student who gets a GPA of 2.5 qualifies to proceed to research stage.
A student who fails to get a minimum GPA of 2.5, and one who fails to complete the research, qualifies to graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma
Degree Classification
The degree is conferred without classification
Programme
DHIPS Programme
Programme Structure
The Dag Hammarskjöld Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies offers five (5) Specialisations under Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies namely:
- Environment, Sustainable Development and Peace;
- Human Rights, Governance and Peace Building;
- Human Security and Development;
- Diplomacy and strategic studies;
- Defence and Security management
Each programme consists of course work followed by a dissertation. The five programmes are structured in four stages namely Introductory (Stage one Core and Common Courses); Theory (Stage Two); Application (Stage Three); and Dissertation(Stage Four) as outlined in the tables below:
Core and Common Courses (Stage One)
- Environmental Security & Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Foundation in Peace and Conflict Studies
- Introduction to Human Rights Concepts
- Research Methods in Peace and Conflict I
Environment, Sustainable Development and Peace Specialization
Stage Two
- Urban Environment, Management Tools and Analysis
- Land Rights and Land Acquisition
- Biodiversity and Development
- Research Methods in Peace and Conflict II
Stage Three
- Mineral Resources and Sustainability
- Natural Resources, Pollution and Conflict
- Housing, Dislocation and Evictions
- Tourism and Peace
Human Rights, Governance and Peacebuilding Specialization
Stage Two
- Democratization and Conflict Transformation
- Governance, State and Nation building
- Land Rights and Land Acquisition
- Research Methods in Peace and Conflict II
Stage Three
- Ethnic Identity and Human Rights
- Human Rights and Socioeconomics
- Civil-Military Relations and Peacebuilding
- Housing Evictions and Dislocations
Human Security and Development Specialization
Stage Two
- Democratization and Conflict Transformation
- Governance, State and Nation building
- Land Rights and Land Acquisition
- Research Methods in Peace and Conflict II
Stage Three
- Ethnic Identity and Human Rights
- Human Rights and Socioeconomics
- Civil-Military Relations and Peacebuilding
- Housing Evictions and Dislocations
- Full Time Basis: Each programme is designed to run for eighteen (18) months of which the first 12 months are devoted to course work while the last six (6) months to dissertation.
- Evening/Part-Time Basis: Each programme is designes to run for (2) years with the first eighteen (18) months devoted to course while the last six (6) months dissertation
- Distance: The Programmes are targeted at those individuals who cannot engage in full time, part time or evening programmes due to other factors. However, a miniumum of three (3) years is destined for each of the programmes.
Semester System
At the dissertation stage, students who obtain a Grade Point Average of 2.5 at the end of the 2 (two) semesters will proceed to the dissertation stage in the third semester. A student is given six months to undertake a research related to Peace and Conflict within their given field. At the end of six months, the student shall submit his/her thesis to the Head of Department, Postgraduate Studies.
There will be two presentation periods a year, at six monthly intervals after the completion of the third stage.
The thesis shall be examined by a committee consisting of 3 examiners, of who two (2) should be internal and one external. The grading of the thesis will be done according to the set criteria giving a maximum of 50 points. The Grade for the thesis shall be Pass or Fail.
In the case of a Fail, the student will be permitted to submit a new dissertation in the next presentation period. Only two submissions shall be permitted. Students would be guided by their supervisors after the research proposal has been approved
Admission Requirements
Method of Teaching
Method of Assessment
Admission Requirements
In order to become eligible for admission to the Master in Peace and Conflict studies degree programme, an applicant must satisfy one of the following requirements:
- Applicant should hold a good first degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from a recognized institution and with at least 2 years of practical (work) experience;
- Applicant holding first degree in areas other than those covered in (a) above, would also be considered. These shall have at least 3 years of practical experience;
- Exceptions to (a) and (b) above would be considered on a case by case basis.
Method of Teaching
The teaching is highly participative and includes lectures and seminars. Group working is an integral part of the course and students are expected to actively contribute to their class groups throughout the year.
The delivery of courses includes lectures, group work, case studies, critical reading, discussion and self-assessment. There are also video materials used to support theoretical concepts raised in lectures. In addition, guest speakers are invited to represent the practitioner perspective
Method of Assessment
A two-hour closed book examination, Examination questions are written so as to test for understanding and critical evaluation, as is stated in the learning outcomes. An assignment and 2 Tests shall be part of a continuous assessment.
PROGRESSION RULES
The trimester system (three months in an academic year) is adopted for this programme. Students will be required to take a specified number of courses at each stage.
Each student will at the end of each term (stage) receive grades in each course taken. These represent quality points, assigned to each grade. At the end of each term the Grade Point Average (GPA) for each student will be calculated. A cumulative Grade Point Average will also be calculated.