September 2025 - August 2026
Study Mode
Full-time
Application start 4 November 2024
Application end 15 January 2025
Application end (with scholarship) 15 January 2025
Olivier Chamard / Geneva Academy
Our Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law – 60 ECTS – is one of the very few courses on this subject worldwide. It is structured around the following components.
Core courses are mandatory and are spread over the two semesters. They cover central theoretical and practical issues in the fields of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law. Tutorials given by our Teaching Assistants complement the core courses and allow students to revise and discuss concepts and issues address in class and prepare for exams.
Optional courses allow our students to deepen their expertise in a particular transitional justice issue like the role of civil society during transitions, memorialization or cultural heritage in post-conflict.
During Spring Semester, our students acquire first-hand professional experience via internships with leading actors in the field of human rights and transitional justice.
As part of the curriculum, our Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law students can participate in the Jean- Pictet Competition following a competitive selection process carried out by a Geneva Academy jury.
Extracurricular activities allow our students to focus on issues addressed in class with experts and practitioners, explore new subjects, and develop their network in Geneva and beyond. They enrich the Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law programme by widening our students’ perspectives and knowledge of topics related to transitional justice (TJ) and practical challenges related to TJ processes.
The master’s paper gives students an opportunity to investigate a subject of special interest to them, deepening their knowledge and expertise through research as well as exchanges with experts, scholars, and practitioners.
In the second semester, Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law students have the opportunity to organize a study trip to familiarize themselves with the history of transitional justice.
Sandra Pointet/Geneva Academy
We organize online Q&A information sessions for prospective students interested in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
As an Advocacy Officer at the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims, Maeva Réné-Barry advocates for institutional changes at international and regional levels and conducts field missions to gather victim testimonies. In this interview, she tells about the programme, fond memories and what it brought to her career.
Geneva Academy
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.
Core courses are mandatory and are spread over the two semesters. They cover central theoretical and practical issues in the fields of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law.
Participation in this moot court allows students to put in practice the notions and legal tools they have learned in class. It is also an opportunity to explore issues of redress and accountability that form part of transitions following armed conflict or massive human rights abuses.
In the second semester students have the opportunity to go on a study trip to learn about leading institutions and organizations active in the field of transitional justice.
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.