Master of Peace Education

Study Peace Education in Freiburg

Whether originating in political conflict, racism, antisemitism, discrimination, or violence, global threats to peace impact social cohesion at all levels – from interpersonal relations to international diplomacy. How can democracy be strengthened so that ideologies of inequality no longer have a chance? How can overt and covert forms of violence be best overcome? How can we imagine, make and promote sustainable peace?

Drawing on the conceptual foundations and methodologies of peace-related scientific research, Peace Education seeks to support the capacity of individuals, groups, and societies to bring about peace.As an interdisciplinary field, Peace Education encompasses the German academic terms: “Peace and Human Rights Education” and “Democracy Education”. As a field of study, Peace Education aims to strengthen democracy, promote diversity, prevent violence, and establish models for transforming conflict situations across all social groups and levels – both formal and informal. Within the course, an additional emphasis is placed on analysing structural and cultural violence.

International expertise reflecting a range of both practical and academic areas is also central to the course curriculum and is supported through both visiting lecturers and international co-operations with partner universities.

The new Master of Arts in Peace Education has been developed by the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Freiburg in conjunction with its own Peace Institute. The program is conceived as a consecutive, practice-oriented, 3-semester, full-time program (90 credit points).

Main topics

Peace and human rights education in the 21st century
Interdisciplinary peace and conflict research as a foundation for human-rights oriented, transformative educational work
Intercultural, intersectional, and international dimensions of peace education and peacebuilding
Foundations and concepts underlying civil conflict transformation and violence prevention
Mediation in educational work and in community spaces
Theological and philosophical interpretations and worldviews

Target group

Do you already have a bachelors’ degree? Are you interested in socio-political issues and the practice of peace education? Are you interested in developing successful approaches to mediating conflicts? Would you like to become more familiar with the activity fields of peace education and peace work? Are you passionate about practice-oriented peace research and the closely associated fields of philosophy, theology, and ethics? Is it your goal to take on a leadership role in transformative educational work?

If so, then our study programme is perfect for you!

Possible fields of work

Peace consultant operating in public affairs, NGOs, churches, and religious groups
Conflict advisor or specialist for peace work, e.g., within school programs or in extracurricular areas, in areas involving social work, as well as in other fields related to church work and social action.

Opportunities for gaining experience in peace education occur both within the mandatory internship as well as during the master’s thesis.

Possible employers

Schools, adult education institutes as well as international development-related cooperation projects
Civil society initiatives• International non-governmental organizations (NGO)
Religious communities
Foundations
Public administration

Facts

Qualification

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Admission requirements

Bachelor’s degree or a comparable higher education certificate in a related subject area, e.g., social work, childhood education, religious education, theology, educational science, political science, psychology, etc.
Knowledge of the English language• Selection interview

Duration of study

3 semesters – following a 7-semester B.A.: 90 credit points
4 semesters – following a 6-semester B.A.: 90 credit points + 30 credit points including bridge modules

Application deadline

admission will occur every two years (2024, 2026, etc.)

Application process

expected to start in October 2023

Costs

500 Euros per semester (plus administration fees and student union fees)

More Information / Contact

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