Maynooth University

International Peacebuilding - Security & Development Practice

This programme empowers actors and practitioners from development, security and other peace and security related institutional backgrounds involved in international peace-building with the knowledge, skills and competencies that will enable them to provide leadership to reduce and ultimately eliminate violent conflict.

This post graduate diploma programme will provide a challenging learning experience for those who wish to develop and integrate mediation and negotiation knowledge and skills with their awareness of wider conflict and development issues while providing students with a critical insight of the entire spectrum of international conflict intervention.

The main theme of the programme will be an integrated and comprehensive approach to the nexus of peacebuilding, security and development. With increased awareness of the importance of these interlinkages has come increased demands on national and international institutions to respond in a holistic way. In the field, security actors are required to have a better understanding and greater skills in engaging with local communities, institutions and organizations at the local level, while development practitioners recognise a skills deficit with respect to conflict resolution and mediation and are increasingly expected to understand and engage with representatives of multifaceted agencies and communities, particularly when anticipating or responding to the consequences of complex crises.

Students will develop-:
•Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyse and articulate the violent conflict dimension of complex issues that require an integrated and comprehensive response.
•Demonstrated problem-solving skills and judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex and unusual issues/problems and in developing innovative and creative solutions.
•Ability to negotiate and to influence others to reach agreement.
•Knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to interventions in violent conflict.

Completion of the module, Mediation Knowledge and Practice provides the basis for the opportunity to take a Mediation Competency Assessment and on successfully passing this assessment, the student is in a position to apply for Certified Status with the Mediators Institute of Ireland.

Entry requirements

Honours Degree (minimum 2nd class honour) in a cognate discipline, such as international relations, development studies, sociology, politics, etc. Nonstandard applicants who do not possess the minimum level of qualifications will be assessed in line with the University's policy and procedure on recognition of prior experiential learning.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non-EU applicants.

National University of Ireland Maynooth's TOEFL code is 8850

Duration

MH88M - 1 Year Full Time

Further enquiries

Programme Director Dr Kieran Doyle
Tel 01 7084558
Email kieran.doyle@nuim.ie

Website https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/edward-m-kennedy-institute

Subjects taught

Students must complete- 30 credits per semester.

A flexible approach to delivery will be taken, through blended learning. Classroom based modules will be provided on campus in Maynooth University or in Kimmage Development Studies Centre, as part of existing Maynooth University MA programmes.

For development modules, on-campus delivery of each 5 credit module involves 24 hours of class-contact. adopts a flexible approach to delivery of classroom based modules with some courses offered through 2 hour taught classes over 12 weeks (usually in the evenings) while others are offered through more concentrated blocks of time depending on timetable requirements and arrangements (typically 4.5 day blocks, delivered in a single week or over two weeks). Distance learning modules are structured to allow students to study at their own pace over a semester, with modules running in two cycles annually – October through January and February through May / June.

For the Kennedy Institute, classroom based modules which are normally 10 credits typically involve week long blocks (4.5 days). Each 1 ECTS module will typically involve at least 20 hours of work, including attending lectures, reading, writing coursework, preparing for exams and sitting exams.

For the dissertation module, master classes on research design /methods will be provided by lecturers, and lecturers will provide supervision sessions, which will amount to 36 hours. Students must also undertake approximately 500 hours of independent study when completing the dissertation.

Application date

All applications should be made through the PAC system.
Online application only www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

Closing Date : Closing Date : 31 July 2020

Course fee

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.