Human Security and Peacebuilding

The Master of Arts in Human Security and Peacebuilding is a two-year, interdisciplinary graduate program.

You see peacebuilding as a broad concept — one that transforms societies through short-term development initiatives that become long-term, sustainable peace processes.

Globally, there's growing demand for leadership in this field. Join professionals working in humanitarian aid, social reconstruction, conflict management and peacebuilding.

This masters level program is designed for working professionals with experience in human security and peacebuilding. You'll further your understanding of the complex relationships between economic, political and social development and human security.

It's also for those who want to advance their professional practice in conflict-related and post-conflict contexts. To do so, it provides you with theoretical and practical skills to help restore peace and civil society

Once you have completed this program, you'll be able to work in complex conflict/humanitarian scenarios, use conflict resolution mechanisms to develop peaceful solutions, and communicate effectively to exert strong leadership and empathy in humanitarian crises.

These skills will allow you to work in humanitarian fields, international and domestic non-governmental organizations, and police and military organizations.

Standard admission

• Four-year (or comparable) undergraduate degree in a relevant and related field*, with a minimum GPA of 'B+' (3.33/4.33), from a recognized post-secondary institution

* Relevant and related fields are defined by each program based on disciplinary and/or professional practices.  Applicants are required to address how they consider their academic education to be relevant and related to their desired program of study within the personal statement questions.

Flexible admission

• Applicants who meet the degree requirement, but not the GPA requirement, will be required to have a minimum 5 years of relevant* professional experience.
• Applicants without an undergraduate degree will normally require 10 years of work experience, with a minimum of two years of relevant* professional experience in a leadership or management position**, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• All flexible admission applicants will be required to complete "Academic Writing and Critical Thinking" several weeks prior to starting the program and obtain a minimum B+ (77%).

* Each program, based on disciplinary and/or professional practices, defines what is considered relevant professional experience.  Applicants are required to address how/why they consider their respective supervisory (and overall work experience) to be relevant and related to their desired program of study within the personal statement questions.

** Experience in a leadership or management position is considered on the basis of a holistic review of career progression, which demonstrates increasing competency and/or responsibility.  This can include, but is not limited to, supervisory functions, signing responsibilities, contributions to organisational change and/or implementation of organisational vision and mission.  Applicants are required to address how they consider their work experience to meet these requirements within the personal statement

English language proficiency

• If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell us why you are interested in the GC in Business Development in International Education program and how the program will help you meet your professional goals. Your personal statment should address each of the following questions:

1. What can you contribute to the class' learning?
2. What do you anticipate will be your challenges as a graduate student in the GC in Business Development in International Education program?
3. What do you expect from the GC in Business Development in International Education program in terms of the learning process?
4. What do you envision for your professional goals once you have completed the program?

Your 750-850 word statement should be presented in a well written and concise manner using proper grammar and punctuation.

Reference letters

Your application requires two letters of reference. Ideally, these letters speak to your academic potential, your professional expertise, and your personal attributes. Applicants should provide one professional reference letter and one academic reference letter. Applicants who may have difficulty securing an academic reference may instead submit a personal character reference.

• Professional Reference: This letter should attest to your performance in the context of your current or previous work. The letter can address such areas as leadership potential, career commitment, human relations and supervisory skills, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.
• Academic Reference: Academic letters of reference should attest to your academic achievement, study skills, teamwork, leadership potential, human relations, flexibility, communication, and technical skills.
• Personal Character Reference: Your personal character reference should consist of a letter from someone who has known you for several years outside of the context of your work. Please ask the writer to indicate the length of time and context in which they have known you, and to consider the following attributes in their letter about you: honesty, integrity, responsibility, adaptability, concern, and respect for others, sense of self-esteem and confidence.

Structured resume

Your structured resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Work experience: Please include the name of the organization, length of service (month & year), and a brief description of duties.
• Training and professional development: List career-related training and professional development programs completed within the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include the name of the organization, length of service and a brief description of your duties.
• Leadership/change agent/trainer experience: Briefly describe any specific training and/or experience you have had as a group/project leader, coordinator of change initiatives, or trainer.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, the community/volunteer sector.
• International experience: Indicate any work and/or volunteer experience you have had that you feel is relevant to the GC in Business Development in International Education program.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.