Dual Degree Program
No Development without Peace, No Peace without Development
The Sustainable International Development (SID)/Coexistence and Conflict (COEX) dual degree option was created in response to the global demand for academic and professional training that addresses the overlap between development and coexistence work in societies in conflict. An increasing number of governmental, intergovernmental, international and local organizations working on development issues are establishing units within their planning structures to address the particular needs of programs in conflict areas to ensure that their development work connects rather than divides societies.
Similarly, when a post-conflict transition is on its way, peace professionals need to leverage the tools of sustainable development.
This unique dual-degree program offered by the Heller School for Social Policy and Management gives students the opportunity to train with expert faculty and practitioners in the fields of development and coexistence. SID courses provide a poverty and development context for understanding and responding to conflict situations, while COEX courses build an understanding of the structural and psychosocial causes of conflict and violence and allow students to effectively analyze strategies for interventions.
A natural partnership has developed between the Master's Program in Coexistence and Conflict (COEX) and the Master's Program in Sustainable International Development (SID). Issues that concern leaders seeking to promote coexistence--shared economic stability, mutual understanding and respect, increasing the voice of under-represented populations in civil governance, solving local and regional conflicts--are equally important to practitioners promoting sustainable development. In addition, each program draws students from the same regions or countries, faculty from each program are able to draw on one another's expertise and perspectives and there are opportunities for alumni from each program to interact professionally after graduation.
Given this natural synergy, Brandeis established a new Dual Master's Degree in COEX and SID with the first students enrolled in the fall of 2009.
For further information, e-mail the admissions office at the Heller School.
