Dubrovnik School of Diplomacy > Graduate

Graduate Master of Arts Program in International Relations and Diplomacy
Doctor of Philosophy Program in International Relations and Diplomacy

Dubrovnik International University is currently in the process of developing a graduate Master of Arts program in International Relations and Diplomacy with concentrations in International Relations and Diplomacy, Diplomacy of the European Union, and Commercial Diplomacy, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in International Relations and Diplomacy, the first of its kind in the Republic of Croatia. Inspired by the history and tradition of the city state of Dubrovnik, the DIU graduate School of Diplomacy will strive to create a diverse environment of international and local students dedicated to the promise of peaceful global action, and to provide its students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand, analyze and act in a complex global order in an innovative, ethical and respectful manner.

In recent years, the study of international relations has come to the center of global attention. Recent decades have presented the world with profound challenges. For example, long-prevailing rules regarding the use of force, national sovereignty and humanitarian intervention – the very norms by which nations’ actions have been measured for several centuries – no longer seem to hold true. The forces of globalization have produced many winners, but have also created losers and effective multilateral responses have yet to be fully formulated or implemented.

Moreover, the issues listed represent only a small fraction of the international phenomena that have fueled the creation and development of the theories and practices of contemporary International Relations and Diplomacy that both the graduate and the doctoral programs will focus on. While the study of political science has been a much cherished tradition of academia, the new wave of globalization and global interconnectivity demands the development of entirely new theories and models. It must be pointed out that an understanding of the challenges faced by the contemporary world requires an interdisciplinary approach; thus International Relations and Diplomacy are not understood only as a discipline of Political Science or Political Theory but are also interpreted from the point of view of economics, law and other social sciences.

The key objectives of the graduate and doctoral programs are to leave students with a strong foundation in international relations theory and diplomatic methods, allow them to explore and examine a particular area of interest through core requirements and help them gain practical knowledge and insight through internships and research studies in relevant international institutions. Additionally, the graduate and doctoral programs will provide a strong emphasis on individual and written work by obliging students to research and compose several seminar works, complete a course in quantitative and qualitative methodology, and successfully write and defend a Dissertation. The curriculum will highlight and develop critical thinking, writing and analytical skills, and will integrate multidisciplinary core requirements with practical training, internships and field experience.

An individualized approach to academic work, both within the classroom and in independent study, will be a hallmark of the programs and will be ensured through small classes, significant faculty-student interaction, mentorship relationships and active student engagement in course activities and seminar discussions. Finally, the programs will allow students to study with distinguished and renowned faculty from Croatia and abroad, and will enable contact with experts and organizations associated with the international relations community. Students will be taught and advised by a faculty that has not only distinguished itself in an academic setting, but has been on the very forefront of international economic and political policy making. Graduates of the School of Diplomacy will discover that the curriculum and faculty prepare them for evolving careers in academia and all public and private international sectors.