A Unique Master‘s Program

The master’s Program in International Administration and Conflict Management (IACM) offered by the Department of Political Science and Management ties training in research on conflict and administration within a political science framework to acourse of studies that is unique in Europe. The IACM program is the only course of study in Europe which combines educational contents from international politics and international organizations, conflict research, administrative sciences and management studies. This distinguishes the program from conventional courses of study in peace and conflict research.

The program is one of four specializations of the M.A. “Politics and Management” offered at the University of Konstanz and reflects the growing significance of both international organizations and public administration for long term conflict management. Examples are UN or EU peace operations and acts of humanitarian intervention in crisis-ridden regions, with the international community being expected to break through the cycle of violence, collapse of state functions, and new violence.

The reconstruction of failed states involves setting up an administration, a legal system, a system for policing the given area, and infrastructure. As a rule, the original conflict has not been overcome, so conflict resolution, the creation of an administrative apparatus, and the building of political institutions need to proceed simultaneously. Incorporating a unique combination of conflict analysis and administrative science, the IACM program differs from both conventional conflict and peace studies and the hand-on approach of professional schools. This course of study is intended for students who hold a bachelor of arts degree or its equivalent and who are interested in pursuing relevant scholarly or practical activity in the UN system, the EU, the diplomatic service, or nongovernmental organizations.