The Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in a Nutshell

Group photos of students of the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law Group photos of students of the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law

What

The Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law is:

  • An intensive one-year programme aimed at educating around 30 highly qualified and open-minded students in the field of transitional justice
  • An in-depth study of the following areas: transitional justice, human rights, rule of law, institutional reform, social transformation, and criminal justice
  • An interdisciplinary programme that combines legal, political, historical, anthropological, philosophical and field perspectives
  • A prestigious faculty composed of leading academics and renowned experts and practitioners working for international organizations and NGOs who are abreast of the latest developments and debates
  • An ongoing focus on practice via exchanges with practitioners, work on concrete case scenarios and an internship and the possibility to participate in a moot court
  • An international, multicultural and diverse student body with a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds, experiences and motivations
  • Access to our events which provide a critical and scholarly forum for experts and practitioners to discuss and debate topical issues in transitional justice, human rights and international criminal law
  • A degree conferred by two prestigious academic institutions
  • The foundation for a successful career in national, international, governmental, inter- and non-governmental organizations, as well as academic institutions dealing with transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law

Why

10 reasons for choosing the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law at the Geneva Academy:

  • A leading institution in the field of transitional justice and human rights
  • Acquisition of solid and unique expertise in the different facets of transitional justice (legal, political, historical, philosophical) and recent developments in this field
  • Forms high-level professionals in the field of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for inter-governmental, governmental, and non-governmental organizations
  • Familiarity with a wide range of thematic, country/regional and comparative approaches
  • The combination of theory and practice
  • A personal teaching style that encourages interaction between students and lecturers
  • Specialized supervised research for the Master’s thesis
  • Career counselling and advice
  • Ties with leading actors in the field of transitional justice and human rights
  • A unique human experience during which all those involved (students, faculty and resident staff) develop long-term bonds

How

  • 60 ECTS Credits
  • Core courses throughout the year on human rights, rule of law, institutional reform, social transformation, criminal justice, and cutting-edge issues in transitional justice
  • Optional courses that allow students to deepen their expertise in a particular transitional justice issue
  • Mandatory internship with leading transitional justice and human rights actors
  • Possibility to participate in a moot court
  • The writing of a master’s paper
  • Possibility to organize a study trip to familiarize with transitional justice issues, challenges and actors
  • A year-long focus on practical issues and cases
  • A graduation ceremony
Portrait of Cynthia Ayaa Komakec News

MAS in Transitional Justice: What our Students Say

19 January 2024

Cynthia Ayaa Komakec is enrolled in our Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law. In this interview, she tells about her background, the programme and what it will bring to her career.

Portrait of Ignacio Bollier News

MAS in Transitional Justice: What our Alumni Say

21 December 2023

As a Human Rights Officer at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Ignacio Bollier works on cases related to crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations during transitional and post-transitional contexts. He tells in this interview about the programme, fond memories and what it brought to his career.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships to outstanding students who are unable to secure the funding required to cover tuition fees and/or the cost of living in Geneva.

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Internships

Internships allow our students to acquire first-hand professional experience via internships with leading actors and agencies in the field of transitional justice.

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Student Life

Our Master in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law is organized around intimate learning communities enabling close interaction between students and professors.

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Career Opportunities

Our objective is to produce graduates who will be leaders in the humanitarian, human rights and transitional justice fields.

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The Master in Transitional Justice provided me on with theoretical knowledge in transitional justice mechanisms and processes as well as the ability to deeply question notions which are commonly used. I also had the opportunity to acquire right insights on transitional justice as a field of work.

Solène Berthelier

Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)