217 – MA Program in Peace and Conflict Management Studies

 The MA Program in Peace and Conflict Management Studies seeks to combine an in-depth understanding of theory with applications from a regional perspective. Students will investigate international and regional disputes as well as ethno-national, cultural, and religious conflicts in deeply-divided societies. They will also discuss the linkages between domestic, civil and trans-border conflicts and study and evaluate different approaches to conflict management and peacemaking. The courses offered in this one-year graduate program will pay special attention to the Arab-Israeli, Israeli-Palestinian and Iranian-Israeli conflicts, in addition to various other Middle East conflicts. Students will examine and discuss a wide range of mechanisms and strategies dealing with the management and resolution of these conflicts, including great-power involvement and other methods of international engagement in regional conflicts. The program is interdisciplinary and based primarily on theoretical and practical frameworks in the fields of international relations, psychology, sociology, political science, communications, history and Middle East Studies. These perspectives will enrich the students’ understanding of conflicts within and among societies, nations and states. In addition to the great variety of courses the program offers a wide range of exciting and enriching activities. These activities include field trips throughout Israel connected to local and regional conflicts; a Practicum component in organizations related to aspects of peacemaking and conflict management; thoughtful simulations of decision-making, negotiations and conflict management; guest lectures given by practitioners, academics, and occasional workshops on “the sources, management and resolution of domestic, regional and international conflicts” — in comparative perspective.

Those who will complete all the program requirements will be entitled to MA in Peace and Conflict Management.

Admission Requirements

A minimum of 3.0 GPA or 80% (Israeli system) or equivalent

Official transcript of BA Degree and a copy of Undergraduate diploma

TOEFL scores (if applicable) *

Two recommendations from relevant academic faculty members

Statement of purpose/Personal Essay (500-750 words)

Curriculum Vitae/Resume

Medical forms (International students only)

Copy of your valid passport (international students only)

Work experience in an organization for human rights, coexistence, or peace (preferred, not required)

TOEFL Scores

Candidates, who have not previously studied at an institution of higher education where the language of instruction is English, must submit official TOEFL scores or equivalent. This requirement applies to Israeli as well as International candidates. The minimum TOEFL score required for admission is: 570 on the paper-based test, 230 on the computer-based test or 89 on the internet-based test. Contact the admissions office for information regarding exemptions from the TOEFL.

Exceptions to the admissions requirements: Under certain exceptional circumstances, the committee may be willing to consider applicants that do not meet the minimal admissions requirements. Such applicants may submit a request for special consideration explaining why they believe their application merits consideration despite their not meeting the minimum requirements. The request must be submitted in writing and approved by the committee before a full application is submitted. The committee will not review applications which do not meet the requirements unless a request for special consideration has been approved.

Prerequisites

Students who have not taken introductory courses in the Social Sciences during their undergraduate degree will have to successfully complete two courses before being accepted to the program:

1. One introductory course in either Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, or International Relations.
2. One introductory course in methodology (research methods, statistics). 

Study tracks:

There are two tracks of studies: track A (thesis track) and track B (non-thesis track).

Track A: Thesis Track*  

7 Courses – 36 semestrial hours: 28 semestrial hours of coursework (4 core courses and 3 elective courses) and Thesis Research Paper (8 semestrial hours)

Track A students will be required to write two seminar papers (6000 words each), and a thesis research paper.

Being able to pursue the thesis is dependent on the student’s ability to find an appropriate advisor.

Students selecting the thesis track should take into consideration that completion of a master’s thesis within one year is not guaranteed. A master’s thesis is an independent research project, and the pace of progress largely depends on the student’s efforts. Completion of a thesis may often require more than one year. It also depends on coordination with the thesis adviser.

Track B: Non-Thesis Track  

9 Courses – 36 semestrial hours (4 core courses and 5 elective courses) Final paper – based on the Practicum/Internship

Track B students will be required to complete three seminar papers (6000 words each) and one final paper based on the Practicum/Internship (8,000 words).

Grading

Track B:

Final project – 20%. The minimum score is 76.

Average course grades – 80%

Track A

Research thesis – 40%. The minimum score is 76 (Average judges score).

Average course grades – 60%.

Structure of the program

The program is comprised of mandatory (core) courses, elective courses

and a practicum

For more information please contact the School of Political Sciences

Matzpen@univ.haifa.ac.il