The Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict: An Overview

Our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict is one of the few part-time, innovative and intellectually challenging programmes in the law of armed conflict offered today. Designed for professionals with demanding jobs and responsibilities, it provides them with the legal tools to address complex contemporary conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, human rights negotiations or criminal proceedings.

Syria, Aleppo, old city, at the frontline. Fighters of the Free Syrian Army run from possible sniper fire at a place that is exposed to government soldiers. Syria, Aleppo, old city, at the frontline. Fighters of the Free Syrian Army run from possible sniper fire at a place that is exposed to government soldiers.

Designed for professionals with demanding jobs and responsibilities, our online Executive Master in International Law in Armed Conflict provides them with a solid legal background to address the multiple challenges that arise in humanitarian emergencies, contemporary armed conflicts, human rights negotiations or criminal proceedings.

Taught by Geneva-based law professors and world-renowned law experts and professors, the programme enables participants to gain specialized knowledge directly applicable to professional work. It also responds to the growing need for specialists to address complex situations – in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Ukraine and elsewhere – and challenging processes such as criminal proceedings, international negotiations and humanitarian interventions.

Professionals follow the programme online via an easy and interactive platform that allows participants to interact directly with professors and other students during classes and access all the courses’ materials and readings.

Courses cover international law, international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law (IHRL), international criminal law (ICL) and the interplay between them, providing solid theoretical and practical knowledge of the law that applies to armed conflicts. They also address current issues and challenges, including the repression of terrorism, the responsibility to protect and international refugee law.

One output of the Executive Master is a master’s paper written under the guidance of a faculty member that allows participants to investigate a subject of special interest and deepen expertise through research as well as potential exchanges with experts, scholars and practitioners.

A Scheduled Tailored for Professionals

Courses take place online for nine months (end of September to the beginning of June) at lunchtime (12:00 –14:00 CET). When participants cannot follow a course for professional reasons (e.g. missions, travel, conferences), they can watch the recordings afterwards. Exams take place online at the end of classes (June) with retakes in August. After the exams in June, participants have six months to submit their master’s paper (i.e. by December).

Diplomats, lawyers, legal advisers, humanitarians, NGO staff, human rights advocates, media specialists, professionals working in emergency situations, UN staff and staff from other international organizations share expertise, discuss pressing concerns and reflect on the application of international law to their work.

Moving One’s Career Forward

By providing the necessary tools to apply the international legal framework in complex contemporary conflicts, our Executive Master forms high-level professionals who want to acquire additional responsibilities or move their careers forward.

Why Choose the Geneva Academy?

The Geneva Academy is a leading education and research institution in international humanitarian law, human rights and transitional justice.

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Executive Education

We provide training and short courses for professionals who want to deepen their expertise in a specific issue.

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Faculty

Our students have the opportunity to be taught by leading academics in the fields of international humanitarian law, human rights and transitional justice.

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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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