Why Choose this Program?

The Master of Arts in International Relations: Peace And Development (MA in IR: Peace And Development) program was designed to:

• Develop advanced analytical and theoretical expertise in international relations, with specialized knowledge in peace processes, conflict resolution, and sustainable development practice.
• Engage with cutting-edge scholarship and policy debates in human security, political economy, international law, and global governance, with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
• Build advanced research competencies through rigorous training in qualitative and quantitative methods, equipping graduates to analyze conflict, fragility, and development challenges and produce original, evidence-based contributions to scholarship and policy.
• Strengthen leadership, negotiation, and project management skills applicable to peacebuilding missions, development programs, and multilateral institutions.
• Gain a deep understanding of the intersection between peace, security, and development through coursework that bridges theory with applied policy analysis and field-based practice.
• Access strong pathways to advanced academic study, professional practice, and leadership roles in government, international organizations, and civil society in Cambodia and internationally.

Future Career Prospects

Graduates from this program will be able to pursue careers such as:

1. Foreign affairs officer, peace negotiator, or national security analyst in government ministries, state agencies, and intergovernmental bodies responsible for foreign policy, conflict management, and regional stability.
2. Development program manager, policy advisor, or monitoring and evaluation specialist in government planning agencies, bilateral aid bodies, the United Nations, the World Bank, or the Asian Development Bank.
3. Political risk analyst, geopolitical consultant, or strategic advisor in private consulting firms, financial institutions, and multinational corporations that require expertise in conflict environments, fragile states, and emerging markets across the region.
4. Corporate social responsibility manager, social impact officer, or sustainability director in companies and social enterprises seeking professionals who understand governance, human security, and responsible business practice in complex operating environments.
5. Human rights officer, peacebuilding coordinator, or humanitarian program director in international and local NGOs, community-based organizations, and civil society networks engaged in peace, justice, refugee assistance, and post-conflict recovery.
6. Policy researcher, think tank analyst, or university lecturer contributing original knowledge on peace, conflict, and development; with pathways to doctoral study in international relations, peace studies, security, or development at leading institutions worldwide.
7. Senior manager, team leader, or operations director in private sector organizations and enterprises operating in complex international environments, drawing on advanced skills in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and cross-cultural team management.
8. Business development manager, market entry strategist, or regional director in companies expanding into emerging and frontier markets, leveraging expertise in political economy, governance, and international business environments to drive sustainable growth.

Course Structure

This two-year program comprises 45 credits and provides students with a well-structured curriculum that includes basic, core, major, and research courses. To complete the program, students are required to fulfill the following coursework requirements:

The program offers Three graduation path:

• Coursework and Research Report Path (39 credits for coursework + 6 credits for research report).
• Coursework and Project Report Path (33 credits for coursework + 12 credits for project report/thesis).
• Coursework and Research Thesis Path (12 credits for coursework + 33 credits for research thesis presentation, defend and publication at a recognized journal)