Master's Programme in Crisis Management and Peacebuilding, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English A/5. A Bachelor's Degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university with 90 credits in Peace and Conflict Studies or equivalent, or a Bachelor’s Degree with 90 credits in Political Science and a with minimum of 30 credits in Peace and Conflict Studies or equivalent. If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University, outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester.

Degree

Master of Science (60 credits). Major field of study: Peace and Conflict Studies. Specialisation: Crisis Management and Peacebuilding.
See http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/degree-requirements

Master of Science (120 credits). Major field of study: Peace and Conflict Studies. Specialisation in Crisis Management and Peacebuilding.
See http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/degree-requirements

Description of the education for current education cycle

Second cycle educations should build substantially upon knowledge the students retained during first cycle studies or the equivalent.
Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)

National goals for current degree

Degree of Master of Science 60 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Degree of Master of Science 120 credits
Knowledge and Understanding
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both a broad knowledge of the field and deeper insight into certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.

Skills and Abilities
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address, to plan and to use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability in both national and international contexts, to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development or to work independently in other advanced contexts.

Ability to Evaluate and Approach
For Degree of Master of Science 120 credits s, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

Master of Science 60 credits
For Master of Science 60 credits, the student should be able to:
– demonstrate understanding and ability to analyze different national crisis management systems
– demonstrate ability to utilize different methodological tools for analysis of different aspects of complex crisis management and peacebuilding.
– demonstrate ability to identify, structure and analyze scientific problems within the scientific disciplines of crisis management and peacebuilding.

Master of Science 120 credits
For Master of Science 120 credits, the student should be able to:
– demonstrate understanding and ability to analyze different national crisis management systems
– demonstrate knowledge and understanding of global and regional governance in the international system.
– demonstrate knowledge and understanding of principles of and organizational forms in reconstruction following crisis, disasters and conflicts.
– demonstrate a higher degree of ability to utilize different methodological tools for analysis of different aspects of complex crisis management and peacebuilding.
– demonstrate a higher degree of ability to identify, structure and analyze scientific problems within the scientific disciplines of crisis management and peacebuilding.

Examination format

See course syllabuses.
 

Grades

The program applies a three-point grading scale with the grades, Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail, unless otherwise stated in the syllabus for a particular course. Those who pass an exam cannot redo the exam aiming for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Students have the right to apply for recognition of previous courses or activities that can be accepted for credit transfer. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

A negative decision on recognition of previous courses is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

Outline section describes which courses are mandatory and which are elective. The choice of elective courses must be confirmed with the Master’s degree program director. The courses are attended in the order specified in the program outline. Information about specific courses can be found in course syllabus for each course. Courses within the program are in English. Thesis and some written exams can also be submitted in Swedish.
   
Thesis

For the degree of Master of Science 60 credits, the student must complete a thesis in peace and conflict studies of no less than 15 credits.
For the degree of Master of Science 120 credits, the student must complete a thesis in peace and conflict studies of no less than 30 credits. In case where a student has previously completed an advanced level thesis in peace and conflict studies of at least 15 credits, requirement for thesis can be reduced, yet it must be at least 15 credits.

Deferment of studies

Deferment of study entry may be granted if special circumstances exist. Examples of specific reasons are social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, military or civil service, student union assignments or postponed leave according to law (1974:981) on work labor rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Centrum.
A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.
 

Approved leave from studies

The student admitted to the program can apply for a study break. The application is submitted to the program coordinator. Study break with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, military or civil-service or student union assignments.
Negative decision to resume studies after study breaks can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Students who interrupt their education shall notify their dropout to the Program Coordinator

Other

Threshold Determination
Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.
 

Outline

Semester 1

Crisis Management in Comparative Perspective 15 credits
Mandatory

Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences 7,5 credits
Mandatory

Quantitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences 7,5 credits
Mandatory

Semester 2

Semester 2, for Master of Science Degree 60 credits
Internship I / Electives 15 credits
Thesis in Peace and Conflict Studies 15 credits
Mandatory

Semester 2, for Master of Science Degree 120 credits
Internship I / Electives 15 credits
Internship II/ Electives 15 credits

Semester 3

Global and Reginal Governance 15 credits
Mandatory
Reconstruction after Crises and Disasters 15 credits
Mandatory

Semester 4

For students who has written a master thesis 15 credits
Electives 15 credits
Thesis in Peace and Conflict Studies 15 credits
Mandatory

For students who have not written a theses semester 2
Thesis in Peace and Conflict Studies 30 credits
Mandatory