Law

MAS Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law 2025

This full-time training combines theoretical and practice-oriented perspectives. It equips participants with the knowledge, tools, and critical mindset to assist countries, societies, and victims emerging from periods of conflict and repression to address complex transitional justice issues.

Information

Period

September 2025 - August 2026
60 ECTS credits
Full time programme

Language

English

Format

On-site – switch over to online-learning if required

Contact

Geneva Academy
+41 (0)22 908 44 88
masters-inquiries(at)geneva-academy.ch

Location

Genève

Registration

Registration deadline

15 January 2025

Fees:

CHF 18'000.-

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development

Objectives

  • Provide high-level academic education and real-world practice in the field of transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law
  • Primary focus is placed on strengthening interdisciplinary knowledge and preparing students for future professional activities

Our Master of Advanced Studies in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law is also profoundly committed to developing the transferable skills necessary to succeed in the professional world and take up responsibilities in the humanitarian and human rights fields.

Audience

Designed for law students and focused on post-conflict human rights violations, this Master in Advanced Studies equips students to consider and understand the holistic nature of transitional justice, namely the mutual dependence of each pillar (truth, justice, reparation and guarantee of non-recurrence

Programme

Master in Transitional Justice Presentation

  • Core courses
  • Optional courses
  • MTJ Paper
  • Internship or Moot Court Competition of Film Lab
  • Extracurricular activities

Director(s)

Prof. Paola GAETA, Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute and the Director at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, a joint center of the Faculty of Law, University of Geneva and the Geneva Graduate Institute

Coordinator(s)

Alina KONDRATIUK, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

Diploma delivered jointly by

University of Geneva, IHEID
This one-year full-time Master of Advanced Studies is one of the very few programmes dedicated to transitional justice and human rights worldwide. Designed for law students and focused on post-conflict human rights violations, this Master in Advanced Studies equips students to consider and understand the holistic nature of transitional justice, namely the mutual dependence of each pillar (truth, justice, reparation and guarantee of non-recurrence).

With core courses providing a firm grounding in human rights, transitional and criminal justice and optional courses exploring cutting-edge issues, students can tailor their studies according to their particular interests. Combining theoretical and practice-oriented perspectives, students will gain understanding of processes and mechanisms related to transitional justice, accountability mechanisms and justice reform in postconflict situations and countries in transitions.

Students will gain access to world-renowned professors and leading experts in their respective fields and through extracurricular activities will benefit from direct connections with leading actors. They will explore the relationship between state duties, victims’ rights, and the strategic goals of societal transformation. As transitional justice is an evolving field, the program covers various processes, strategies, and dilemmas faced when designing and implementing these initiatives.

Assessment

Written and oral exams, papers, presentations, group work and end of year research paper

Pedagogical method

  • Courses on theoretical and practical frameworks relevant to transitional justice, human rights and the rule of law
  • Optional courses
  • Writing of an end of year research paper
  • Internship, Moot Court Competition or Film Lab

Admission criteria

Candidates should have:

  • A full degree in law or an equivalent degree
  • A strong academic record
  • An interest in the subject areas of the programme
  • Proficiency in English (level C1)

Professional experience in a field related to the programme is an asset

I chose this programme because of its focus and the breadth of the courses covered – from introductions to transitional justice to more specific transitional justice issues. Overall, the programme is developing our skills to make actual positive change in the world using not only legal frameworks but also political science, anthropology or history. (Cynthia Ayaa Komakec, 2023-2024)

Contribution to the SDGs

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development