In today's interconnected world, Peace and Conflict Management skills have become indispensable across local, global and organizational spheres. Whether resolving community disputes, preserving peace among nations, or navigating complex team dynamics in the workplace, Peace and conflict mediation skills are crucial tools for collaborative and productive societies.

About:

Situated in the heart of the Middle East, in Israel’s most culturally diverse city, bringing together students from all countries and religions, UHaifa International’s sought-after Master of Arts in Peace & Conflict Management is an authentic human lab for peacebuilding.

Introducing state-of-the-art multidisciplinary theory, practical intervention frameworks, and extra-curriculum fieldwork, this unique program trains students to transform conflict into peace, on both local and global levels.

Professional or aspiring policy makers, diplomats, group facilitators, counsellors and more, can greatly benefit from this hands-on, real-world oriented program.

Program Highlights:

  • An invaluable opportunity to experience, understand and address local and global conflicts, especially specific conflicts in Israeli society and the Middle East.
  • Provides theoretical knowledge and practical tools to deal with real-world ethno-national conflicts and peace building.
  • Based on a multidisciplinary curriculum, including Social Sciences, Psychology, International Relations and Social Work.
  • Incorporates a practical internship at relevant peacebuilding and conflict management organizations.
  • Includes field trips throughout Israel connected to local and regional conflicts.
  • Introduces real-time simulations of decision-making, negotiations, and conflict management.

One year, One degree

Our one-year International Master's program is taught in English over three consecutive semesters from October through September. Graduates will be awarded a Master of Arts (MA) in Peace & Conflict Management.

Students who wish to pursue the thesis track must achieve no less than a 90% average after their first semester. Requests will be considered individually, depending on the student's achievements, ability to secure a supervisor, and other factors. The thesis will be submitted within one year of coursework completion, which may require a prolonged stay at the university.

Admissions Requirements:

  • A minimum of 3.0 GPA, 80% (B) (Israeli system) or equivalent in all undergraduate classes
  • Mastery of the English Language

Contact us:

Program Coordinator: Noa Avraham

E-mail nnachum@univ.haifa.ac.il phone: 04-8240561

Curriculum & Credits:

The International Master's degree program in Peace &Conflict Management consists of a total of 36 credits, including a final project, two seminars and the following mandatory courses:

  • Building Consensus: Basic negotiation, Mediation and Facilitation Skills
  • Theories and Issues in Intergroup Conflict: A Multi-disciplinary perspective
  • Research Methods
  • Relational Approaches to Conflict Engagement
    Paths to Peace: Conflict Management, Conflict Resolution, Peacebuilding and Reconciliation
  • Social Psychology of Intergroup Conflicts and their Resolution
  • Practicum (Applied Project): (3 meetings)
  • Shared Society: Theoretical and Practical Aspects
  • Haifa: Conflict Management in a Mixed City
  • Addressing intergroup conflict: Theory and praxis (5 meetings)
  • Community Conflict (8 meetings)

* This curriculum is updated to 2023-24 and is subject to change without notice

Academic Leadership:

Dr. Ran Kuttner

Dr. Ran Kuttner is an academic researcher, professional certified mediator and expert consultant with vast academic and professional experience in conflict resolution and peace building. He serves as an Associate Professor of Dispute Resolution at the University of Haifa, where he teaches the International Graduate Program in Peace and Conflict Management Studies.

Throughout his academic career, he assumed the position of Associate Professor of Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at the Werner Institute, Creighton University (USA). He was also a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University, where he collaborated on redesigning the Harvard Law Mediation Course's Negotiation Program.

Dr. Kuttner is an expert consultant to organizations and community mediation centers, where he implements collaborative conflict engagement approaches aimed for a more dialogic Israeli society. He also served as academic advisor to the Givat Haviva Organization – targeted at a shared society and dialogue among Jews and Arabs in Israel. He is the developer of a mediation certification program in Israel and teaches courses on mediation, dialogue, group facilitation, leadership and conflict resolution, negotiation, and peacebuilding strategies.

Dr. Valerie Isaak

Dr. Valerie Isaak is an academic researcher, senior organizational consultant and head of the Master's Programs Division at the University of Haifa School of Political Science. She holds a Bachelor's degree in political science, sociology, and anthropology, a Master's in political science specializing in internal and public auditing, and a PhD in political science, where she researched the field of Organizational Excellence.

An expert in the fields of work teams and organizational effectiveness, she provides professional consulting to government organizations, including the Israeli Ministry of Defense and various Medical Centers.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Isaak has worked with the Council for Higher Education in a diverse range of community projects.  Among them, she led the 'Age-Friendly City Project', a community project in accordance with the World Health Organization model.

Dr. Isaak has received several grants from The Gartner Institute for Health Policy Research and has been awarded an excellent lecturer recognition by the University of Haifa.

Application Documents:

  • Official transcript of BA degree and copy of undergraduate diploma that includes the date and degree type awarded    
  • Personal Statement (Motivational Letter) -approximately 500 words
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resumé
  • Medical forms

Scholarship Options:

As a diverse University committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), we're passionate of doing everything in our power to promote affordable, equal-opportunity, quality higher education, by offering versatile scholarships and funding options. We encourage you to read about these options, choose what suits you best and let us know how we can further help you in this important matter.

Please note that you can apply for a scholarship only after applying to the program.

{לשים כאן קישור לאתר ביה"ס הבינלאומי – מידע על מלגות.}

Thesis writing options:

The Peace and Conflict program has two study tracks: thesis and non-thesis tracks. Students who wish to pursue the thesis track must achieve no less than a 90% average after their first semester. Requests will be considered individually, depending on the student's achievements, ability to secure a supervisor, and other factors. The thesis will be submitted within one year of coursework completion, which may require a prolonged stay at the university.