18-month Practicum Track
The practicum track is the standard, 18-month track that most COEX students follow. Students spend two semesters in residence at Heller, then complete a 3-month, full-time practicum. The practicum can be a traditional internship, the implementation of a conflict resolution project in the field or research leading to a thesis. The COEX practicum serves as a building block for the student's career portfolio, guided by experts in the field. During their final fall semester, students work on their practicum report and present their capstone in December, then receive their degrees in February.
Please note that due to COVID-19, Brandeis has temporarily suspended all international travel.
Two-year Concentration Semester Track
The COEX Concentration Semester adds an additional semester to the year and a half year program, making it two years total. Students first complete all the requirements for the MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence program, then during the additional spring semester, complete concentration coursework in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Management. Students graduate in May of their second year.
Exchange Semester Opportunity
Students may undertake an exchange program during their final fall semester. Heller’s Conflict Resolution and Coexistence program has a partnership with the Department of Peace and Conflict Research at Uppsala University that allows COEX students to study for one semester in Sweden. This exchange program has a limited number of spots available per year and may require an additional application process. All students will need to apply for a student visa for Sweden, which has additional costs, and international students may need to extend their program by a semester in order to participate.