Island Studies

Overview

Our Island Studies program at the University of Prince Edward Island offers a challenging opportunity for students with:

• a special interest in researching islands: their societies, economies, histories, cultures, governments, geographies, and environments
• an interest in public policy and administration
• career aspirations within local, regional, national, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations
• career aspirations in the private and resource sectors

• a desire for the challenge of graduate education

UPEI is recognized as the world leader in delivering a quality Island Studies education, successfully offering a thesis-based Master of Arts in Island Studies program for almost two decades. Now we are pleased to offer a course- and work-study Master of Arts in Island Studies program, specializing in three streams:

• Island Tourism (IT)
• Sustainable Island Communities (SIC)
• International Relations (Island Studies) and Island Public Policy

Course-based stream students will participate in in-person and/or hybrid model delivery courses, combining face-to-face, online, and video-based instruction. All of these specializations combine practice with theory.

Careers

International Relations (Island Studies) and Island Public Policy:

• Students will gain the skills and knowledge to start or advance a career within local, provincial/state, federal and international governments or non-profit agencies that interact with government.
• Private companies that have extensive interactions with island governments will also benefit from the graduates’ skills and understanding of island policy issues.

• Employment opportunities for graduates include positions in travel agency and tour operating companies, the heritage sector, official tourist organizations, branding and marketing companies, and local or national government and other (including regional and international) organizations where knowledge of the tourism sector is important.

• Employment opportunities for graduates of this specialization include community economic development, natural resources management, sustainable agriculture, rural and land-use planning, renewable and alternative energy management, environmental consulting, sustainability director positions, and posts with international organizations such as the United Nations, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Watch, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund.
• Local, regional and federal government departments of sustainability and environmental management on islands would be natural employers for graduates from this focus area.