IPSS is happy to review your application and to welcome you to join a cohort of experienced and knowledgeable personnel drawn from the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RM), multilateral institutions, government institutions, Non-Governmental Institutions (NGOs), etc.

The Executive Master’s Degree (MA) in Managing Peace and Security in Africa (MPSA) offers experienced professionals working on African peace and security issues a unique opportunity to acquire certified and in-depth training while working in their respective organizations. The MPSA training prepares critical and reflective practitioners to lead with novelty and manage and transform complex challenges relating to peace, governance and security. We look forward to supporting you open new opportunities for your personal and career aspirations.

• Do you seek innovative approaches to addressing peace and security challenges in the 21st century?
• Do you aspire to be a transformative leader who achieves results?
• Do you want to comprehend the intricacies of governance challenges in contemporary times and be able to respond to them with compelling insights?
• Are you a professional working in the field of peace and security in Africa? Are you interested in taking your career to the next stage?
• Do you want immersive, critical and dynamic training while continuing to work at your organization?

If your answer to the above questions is yes, then the MPSA Programme is the right educational programme for you. The application deadline is 01 July 2025, and the Programme will commence on 06 October 2025.

Selection criteria

Academic requirements (Mandatory):

• Applicants must hold a BA, BS or Post-graduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Applicants must have taken and met the university’s passing standards for at least one of the following exams: National Graduate Admission Test, (NGAT) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Law School Admissions Test (LSAT).

Note: Upon application, the applicant must have already taken and passed one of the above exams.

• The applicant’s official transcript must be sent directly from their previous institution to the following address by September 30th. Transcripts submitted by the applicant will not be accepted.

Mailing Address:

DHL

Addis Ababa University (CBE Campus),

Institute of Peace and Security Studies

P.O. Box 1176

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

+251 920 571 599

elshaday.h@ipss-addis.org

Elshaday Hagos

Non-academic Requirements:

The applicant must preferably:

• Be a citizen of a member state of the AU or an international applicant working for a governmental, inter governmental or multilateral agency with a keen interest in African peace and security issues;
• Have at least five years work experience in peace, security and development, democracy, governance, peace and security or
  related field;
• Have an excellent command of the English language, which is the medium of instruction.
• Applicant’s past and current job, position/responsibilities; including perceived professional impact applicant is likely to have on their organization after completion of the Executive Master’s programme;
• Diversity (gender, regional balance – RECs and RMs) to enable drawing participants from all parts of the continent;
• The applicant’s personal qualities: leadership skills, a solid motivation to enhance one’s professional abilities, originality, and sound academic credentials.

Please note:

Once accepted into the programme, participants will be advised on the relevant authentication formalities of their previous academic degrees and transcripts.

Cohort 21 Schedule

Cohort 19 Schedule

Session 1: 6 – 17 October 2025
Session 2: 8 – 19 December 2025
Session 3: 2 – 13 March 2026
Session 4: 4 – 15 May 2026
Session 5: 6 – 17 July 2026
Session 6: 7 – 18 September 2026

It is anticipated that all sessions (1 to 6) will be offered online unless expressly stated

Inquiries

For further assistance regarding the application process, please contact Elshaday Hagos, Education and Professional Development Officer, at elshaday.h@ipss-addis.org

N.B.

Applicants are advised to check their email spam regularly after they submit their applications.

How to Apply:

Note: You will need a Gmail email account to complete the application

Step 1: Prepare the required documents listed below (in PDF)

• Passport photo (minimum 720×1280 pixels)
• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of motivation (1-page maximum)
• Copies of relevant degrees and certificates
• Official academic transcripts (Bachelor / Masters / PhD)
• Letter of consent signed by the supervisor at your organization (download here)
• English Language Proficiency and Certification (GAT, IELTS, TOFEL, SAT, LSAT)

Step 2: Click here to fill out and complete the online application form.

Step 3: Submit your application.

Step 4: You will receive a confirmation via email. If you do not receive a confirmation letter after submitting your application, send an email to elshaday.h@ipss-addis.org to confirm if your application has successfully been submitted.