UPEACE Africa · MA-DRLHA
MA Disaster Resilience Leadership & Humanitarian Action
January 2027 intake · Applications close 25 December 2026
Apply for this programmeProgramme overview
Develop leadership capacity for disaster risk reduction, disaster management and humanitarian assistance. This modular programme combines the fundamentals of resilience with programming, analytics, emergency coordination, climate risk and health and nutrition in emergencies, including a field practicum and dissertation.
Academic information is drawn from the UPEACE Master’s brochure. Duration, delivery format, entry requirements and curriculum for the January 2027 intake are subject to confirmation by admissions.
Who this programme is for
Current and aspiring disaster resilience leaders and people addressing disaster risk through community development.
Areas of study
- Early warning and climate risk reduction
- Emergency response planning and coordination
- Resilience leadership and field practice
- Displacement, livelihoods and public health in emergencies
Knowledge and skills
Strengthen resilience leadership, assess disaster risks and contribute to coordinated humanitarian response and community-focused recovery.
Programme modules
Modules listed in the supplied UPEACE brochure. The admissions team confirms the final curriculum and credit requirements for your intake.
Semester 1
UPEACE Foundation Course
UPM-6001 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Introduction to Disaster Resilience and Humanitarian Action
DRL-6000 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Early Warning System for Disaster and Climate Change Risk Reduction
DRL-6001 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Role of Leadership and Institutions in Resilience and Humanitarian Action
DRL6002 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Emergency Response Planning, Management and Coordination
DRL-6003 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Environmental Risk and Impact assessment
DRL-6004 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Advanced Resilience Programming and Learning
DRL-6005 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Semester 2
Managing Displacement, Migration and Social Protection
DRL-6006 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Disaster Resilience Leadership Field Practicum
DRL-6007 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Livelihoods, Food Security and Nutrition
DRL-6008 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Public Health Systems in Emergencies
DRL-6009 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Risk Management
DRL-6010 · 3 credits · 4 weeks
Final Research Project (Thesis)
DRL-7000 · 8 credits · 24 Weeks
Teaching and assessment
Live online teaching combines discussion, participatory activities, critical reflection and applied tasks. Faculty and tutors provide course materials and feedback. Assessment includes course papers and examinations, followed by a final research project or dissertation. Field practice is included where specified in the programme curriculum.
Entry requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree; the brochure lists social or behavioural sciences, business, economics and humanities. Admissions reviews programme-specific suitability.
- Evidence of English-language competence, including previous study in English or an appropriate language assessment.
- Reliable internet access and familiarity with e-learning tools, word processing and presentations.
Application documents
Prepare a completed application form, certified Bachelor’s degree certificates and transcripts, a 300-word statement of purpose and evidence of English competence. The Africa admissions process also requests an ID or passport copy and passport photograph.
Fees and scholarships
While the standard international tuition for postgraduate programmes at the University for Peace Main Campus in Costa Rica is USD 10,000, the UPEACE Africa Regional Programme provides an automatic 50% regional scholarship to qualifying African professionals admitted to our executive online and hybrid programmes. The total tuition payable is adjusted to USD 5,000 for the complete 18-month programme. The fees are payable in instalment.
| Milestone stage | Academic checkpoint & timing | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Admission & Registration | Upon offer acceptance (secures seat) | $500 |
| Semester 1 – Installment 1 | Prior to commencement of Semester 1 | $750 |
| Semester 1 – Installment 2 | Before the end of Semester 1 (Prior to exams) | $750 |
| Semester 2 – Installment 1 | Prior to commencement of Semester 2 | $750 |
| Semester 2 – Installment 2 | Before the end of Semester 2 (Coursework clearance) | $750 |
| Dissertation – Installment 1 | Beginning of dissertation (Supervisor allocation) | $750 |
| Dissertation – Installment 2 | Before final thesis defense & graduation clearance | $750 |
| Total programme fee | $5,000 USD | |
Fees are payable in the seven instalments shown above. Payment instructions are issued by the UPEACE Africa finance office once an offer of admission is confirmed.
Contact admissions about fees and scholarshipsRequest Information & Prospectus
MA Disaster Resilience Leadership & Humanitarian Action
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