Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations

The Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations is located in Geneva, Switzerland. Its campus is situated on the grounds of the Chateau de Penthes, an old manor with a park and view of Lac Leman. The School offers an undergraduate three-year programme leading to the degree of bachelor of arts in international relations (similar to US BA's) as well as a graduate programme leading to the degree of masters in international relations and doctor in international relations. Courses are taught in English by a faculty of professors with doctorates in their respective fields, ample publications and hands-on experience in international organizations and diplomacy. Among the courses offered are international law, political science, bilatral and multilateral diplomacy, economics, international organizations, dispute settlement, transnational trade, human rights law, humanitarian law, environmental law, American foreign policy, the Middle East, Peacekeeping and Peacemaking, sociology and world history. The school's president is Colum Murphy, a former senior officer with the United Nations in Geneva and in Bosnia.

Academic Programs at GSDIR

Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (BA)

The courses of study for the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations have three objectives: to impart knowledge of basic concepts, theories and methods in international relations; to develop in each student at least one area of special individual competence in international relations; and to train students in research, analytical, and presentation/communication skills.Students are required to have completed any recognized school leaving certificate (e.g. the International Baccalaureate Programme, A-Levels, Advanced Placement, French baccalaureate, Maturità, Abitur, etc) to be able to apply for the Bachelors Programme. The Programme is a three year course.

Students studying for the BA-IR have 5 courses per week (2 credits each) during 10 weeks. There are 4 terms per year. After three years, students graduating with the Bachelor of Arts in International Relations BA-IR would have successfully passed 60 courses and thus obtained 120 credits (credit hours).

Master of International Relations (MIR)

Total of 25 courses during 4 terms (10 weeks each) is required upon graduation. Normally students starting the programme in September would finish the following July (10 months in total), yet due to increasing demand intakes outside of this timetable are also possible. Each course of 2 hours per weeks brings 2 credits (credit hours) and 50 credits from class work is required. Additionally Master's level students are to accomplish a 75 page thesis, worth additional 10 credits, and defend it with a grade not lower than a B+ (85%). The requisite successful accomplishment of 60 credits is comparable with other equivalent institutions.

The Executive Master of International Relations (EMIR)

The Executive Master's of International Relations (EMIR) is for students who decide to study while continuing to work full-time. The courses are given only on Saturdays and the entire programme consists of six ten-week terms. nine hours are taught per Saturday and successful completion of 25 courses is required upon graduation. Every course is worth 2 credits (credit hours) and 50 class work credits are to be collected.Though difficult, the programme is extremely popular. It meets the needs of the many students who are unable to get study leave from their employment - or who are unable or unwilling to change the momentum of their careers during a particular period. The Saturday teaching, along with the home-work assignments, are carefully structured to make the most of the student's availability and maturity. For those who "stay the course", the EMIR has proved to a most valued reward.

The entire EMIR programme amounts to 375 class hours (15 hours per course). Experience also shows that a special kind of camaraderie seems to develop among EMIR students - helping them to go the full distance, usually with family support. At the end of the programme students are asked to present a thesis which is to be defended before a panel for a grade not lower than a B+ (85%).

Doctor of International Relations (DIR)

The Geneva School of Diplomacy offers a rigorous programme leading to a Doctor of International Relations (DIR) degree. The doctorate is the highest programme of learning offered by the school.

GSD holds to the age-old and time-tested view that a sound theoretical knowledge is ultimately the foundation of wiser action. We consider the highest standards vital. Yet, the GSD doctorate is both rigorous and within reach of students who are already searching beyond the Master's Degree level. Many applicants have already combined substantial professional experience with a strong scholarly background. For mature students the work of the doctorate programme is stimulating and challenging rather than crushing or impossible.For the real-world international political and business arena the GSD doctorate programme offers a number of attractive advantages. The programme can be completed in two years. Moreover, at the Geneva School of Diplomacy the doctorate programme is custom-tailored to each student's particular interests. Successful completion of 10 courses is obligatory during a period of at least two academic terms (10 weeks each).

For a further four months occasional attendance at GSD is required of the student - as discussed, nevertheless, between student and supervising professor. Thereafter, the student need not attend the school but must remain in regular consultation with the faculty thesis adviser. During this period the student is actively writing his or her doctorate thesis. On completion of the thesis to the satisfaction of the supervising/advising professor, the student must then defend the thesis before a panel of professors. For the student, this thesis defence must result in a minimum grade of B+.

If the student satisfactorily passes this stage he or she will then be awarded the degree of Doctor of International Relations (DIR).

The path to a doctorate degree is rigorous but also both exciting and within the reach of those admitted to the programme. A number of students will often also use the doctorate programme to prepare a book they have perhaps long contemplated writing. In some of these cases GSD is often even able to assist with the book's publication.

There is also at GSD an old-fashioned respect for theory - which we refuse to compromise. In a fast changing and shrinking modern world, theory, at GSD, has its respected proper place - as a possible explanation of facts. And facts that now bombard us daily and ever more confusingly through the media are understood better only through the prism of a solid theoretical foundation. Preparation for the real world requires both theory and practice. The graduate of the Geneva School of Diplomacy is, therefore, an "all-rounder", better prepared and educated in most ways than his or her peers.

External links

* [http://www.genevadiplomacy.com Home Page]