The Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding (MSP) is a comprehensive graduate program that addresses the growing demand for professionals equipped with advanced training in peacebuilding. Established in 2013 with the support of philanthropic foundations, MSP is designed to bridge the gap identified by the International Commission on Education for Sustainable Development Practice, focusing on holistic education in peacebuilding.
MSP is committed to preparing its graduates to tackle pressing global issues, including climate change, homelessness, food security, and health disparities. Alumni of the program are known for their innovative thinking and are well-versed in systems thinking, tools for structural change, and navigating complexity.
The program emphasizes a trans-disciplinary approach, bringing together students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. It fosters dialogue and relationship-building among students and utilizes classroom and community-based learning methods. MSP’s curriculum focuses on essential skills in systems thinking, conflict analysis, facilitation, strategic planning, and evaluation, with an emphasis on practical experience through hands-on projects and fieldwork.
MSP offers both full-time (two years) and part-time (three years) options, requiring 40 credits. Core coursework delves into topics such as community resilience, systems thinking, and conflict transformation, blending theory and practice. Students have ample opportunities to engage with community organizations through class projects and summer fieldwork.
Financial support is available to MSP students, including scholarships, funding, loans, grants, fellowships, and military education benefits, with over $500,000 in scholarships and funding awarded annually. The program’s holistic approach and practical orientation prepare graduates to address complex global challenges and make a meaningful impact in the field of sustainable peacebuilding.
