Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules
Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy
This master's prepares you to represent interests and shape policy on the ocean in a complex international setting. You will study the law of the sea and the institutions that govern the ocean, ocean geopolitics and maritime security, the blue economy and the energy transition at sea, digital diplomacy and emerging technologies, ecosystem conservation, multilateral negotiation and conflict resolution, and the negotiation of new ocean treaties.
Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the program
What is the Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy?
This master's prepares you to represent interests and shape policy on the ocean in a complex international setting. You will learn how UNCLOS, the IMO, the International Seabed Authority, ITLOS and other bodies frame ocean governance, how geopolitics and security influence negotiations in the Indo-Pacific, the South Atlantic and the Arctic, how the blue economy and offshore energy enter diplomatic agendas, how digital tools, satellite monitoring and AI support policy decisions, and how to prepare, negotiate and draft multilateral agreements, preparing you for roles in diplomacy, international organizations, public administration, NGOs and maritime companies.
What sets this master's apart: it covers ocean diplomacy as a whole rather than a single theme such as climate, linking resources, energy, security, conservation and technology; it gives special weight to multilateral negotiation, preventive diplomacy and the drafting of diplomatic documents; it includes digital diplomacy and the use of AI, big data and blockchain in ocean governance; it follows the negotiation of recent instruments such as the BBNJ Agreement and the global plastics treaty; and it ends with a simulated international conference and a Final Project in which you design a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable governance of the global ocean.
Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December
Program highlights
- Ocean governance: UNCLOS, the IMO, the ISA, ITLOS and the UN system applied to ocean policy.
- Multilateral negotiation: preventive diplomacy, coalition building and drafting diplomatic documents.
- Geopolitics and security: the Indo-Pacific, the South Atlantic, the Arctic and hybrid maritime threats.
- Blue economy and energy: fisheries, deep-sea minerals and offshore renewables on the diplomatic agenda.
- Digital diplomacy: satellite monitoring, AI, big data and blockchain for ocean governance.
- Final Project: a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable governance of the global ocean.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy
11 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Strategic Management of Marine Resources and the Energy Transition in Ocean Diplomacy
- 1.1. Fundamentals of strategic marine resource management in ocean diplomacy
- 1.2. Marine ecosystems and biodiversity: critical habitats, protected species and areas of interest for global policy
- 1.3. International regulation of marine resources: the law of the sea, multilateral and bilateral treaties and the role of the UN
- 1.4. Access and sovereignty over marine resources: EEZs, continental shelves and resource disputes
- 1.5. Geopolitical impact of fisheries, minerals and marine renewables
- 1.6. The blue energy transition: tidal, offshore wind and wave energy on diplomatic agendas
- 1.7. Environmental and social risk in offshore energy projects and international liability
- 1.8. International negotiation and energy diplomacy: actors, alliances and conflict resolution
- 1.9. Strategic maritime planning tools: GIS, impact modeling, satellite monitoring and big data
- 1.10. Case studies of success and failure in marine resource management and the energy transition
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Advanced Maritime Geopolitics and Integrated Strategies for Ocean Governance
- 2.1. Maritime geopolitical dynamics: state and non-state actors, spheres of influence and naval power
- 2.2. Theories of ocean geopolitics from the Heartland to the blue economy
- 2.3. Maritime legal regimes: technical reading of UNCLOS, territorial disputes and strategic resources
- 2.4. Global maritime security: hybrid threats, piracy, terrorism and cybersecurity
- 2.5. Integrated strategies for ocean sustainability: multilateral policy, regional agreements and adaptive governance
- 2.6. Strategic planning in key regions: the Indo-Pacific, the South Atlantic and the Arctic
- 2.7. Geoeconomics of fisheries, hydrocarbons, minerals and offshore renewables
- 2.8. Disruptive monitoring technologies: satellites, AIS and subsea sensors in policy decisions
- 2.9. International cooperation on marine protected areas and biological corridors
- 2.10. Integrated governance models: public-private cooperation, community participation and finance
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Sustainability and Innovation in the Governance of Global Marine Resources
- 3.1. Foundations of ocean governance: institutions, key actors and legal frameworks (UNCLOS and the IMO)
- 3.2. Integrated analysis of marine ecosystems and ecosystem services
- 3.3. Multilevel governance: coordinating local, national and global policies
- 3.4. Innovative conservation strategies: marine protected areas and real-time satellite monitoring
- 3.5. Sustainable blue economy policy: fisheries, aquaculture and marine renewables
- 3.6. Conflict management and cooperation in shared maritime spaces and EEZs
- 3.7. Maritime environmental impact assessment for ports and shipping
- 3.8. AI, big data and blockchain for traceability and transparency in marine value chains
- 3.9. Regulatory frameworks and public policy to foster blue innovation
- 3.10. Case studies and good practices in global, regional and local ocean governance
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
International Regulation, Maritime Security and the Blue Economy as Tools of Ocean Diplomacy
- 4.1. The legal framework of international maritime regulation: UNCLOS, sovereignty and maritime zones
- 4.2. Multilateral bodies: the UN, the IMO and the FAO in global maritime governance and safety
- 4.3. Marine environmental regimes: MARPOL, CLC and OPRC
- 4.4. Comprehensive maritime security: risks, hybrid and geopolitical threats and prevention
- 4.5. The sustainable blue economy: opportunities and challenges in fisheries, aquaculture and marine renewables
- 4.6. Strategic instruments of ocean diplomacy: negotiation, preventive diplomacy and multilateral alliances
- 4.7. Maritime security policy: national strategies, regional blocs, traffic control and cybersecurity
- 4.8. Economic models of maritime space: trade, shipping, EEZs and geopolitical stability
- 4.9. Resource conflicts, environmental diplomacy and peaceful dispute settlement
- 4.10. Emerging technologies in maritime regulation: satellites, automation and AI
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Emerging Technologies and Digital Diplomacy for the Protection of the Global Maritime Domain
- 5.1. Fundamentals of digital diplomacy and its role in maritime affairs
- 5.2. AI, blockchain and big data applied to ocean diplomacy
- 5.3. Advanced maritime monitoring: remote sensing, Earth observation satellites and integrated AIS
- 5.4. Cybersecurity protocols for ocean platforms
- 5.5. IoT for monitoring marine resources and managing ocean ecosystems
- 5.6. Blockchain for traceability in maritime supply chains and international agreements
- 5.7. Digital diplomacy for conflict resolution and multinational maritime cooperation
- 5.8. Diplomatic skills in virtual environments: collaborative platforms, digital negotiation and real-time crisis management
- 5.9. International rules for digital governance of the maritime domain
- 5.10. AI in policy decisions for ocean protection: predictive models and risk analysis
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Integrated Marine Resource Management and Energy Transition Strategies for Ocean Sovereignty
- 6.1. Fundamentals of sustainable marine resource management: ecosystem assessment and conservation zones
- 6.2. Advanced ocean governance models: multilateral structures, conventions and compliance mechanisms
- 6.3. Technologies for renewable and non-renewable marine resources: fisheries, deep-sea mining and aquaculture
- 6.4. Public policy for the maritime energy transition
- 6.5. Innovation in ocean energy: offshore wind, wave, tidal and ocean thermal energy (OTEC)
- 6.6. Strategic planning for ocean sovereignty: security, food sovereignty and energy autonomy
- 6.7. Climate risk, adaptation and resilience of ocean infrastructure
- 6.8. Regulatory frameworks and diplomacy for the sustainable use of marine resources
- 6.9. Satellite monitoring and big data for integrated ocean management and control of illegal activities
- 6.10. Case studies of national and regional energy transition and marine conservation strategies
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Global Strategies for the Recovery and Conservation of Ocean Ecosystems
- 7.1. Foundations of ocean diplomacy: historical development and international legal framework
- 7.2. Key UNCLOS provisions for ocean conservation and sustainable use
- 7.3. Global policies for marine ecosystem recovery: goals, targets and actors
- 7.4. Maritime governance tools: multilateral agreements, intergovernmental bodies and alliances
- 7.5. Human and natural threats to ocean biodiversity: pollution, overfishing, climate change and acidification
- 7.6. Environmental monitoring: remote sensing, ocean observing networks and big data
- 7.7. Ecological restoration of coral reefs, mangroves and critical coastal areas
- 7.8. International finance and technical cooperation: green funds, blue carbon credits and technology transfer
- 7.9. Integrated coastal zone management: local participation, inclusive governance and disaster resilience
- 7.10. Environmental and social impact assessment and adaptive management in maritime projects
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Multilateral Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in Strategic Maritime Areas
- 8.1. Foundations of multilateral diplomacy in the global ocean context
- 8.2. International legal framework of maritime zones: UNCLOS, sovereign rights and jurisdiction
- 8.3. Geopolitical conflicts in strategic maritime areas: causes, actors and dynamics
- 8.4. Multilateral dispute resolution: negotiation, mediation, arbitration, the ICJ and ITLOS
- 8.5. The role of international organizations in ocean governance: the UN, the IMO and IOC-UNESCO
- 8.6. Preventive diplomacy and confidence building in high-tension maritime scenarios
- 8.7. Coordination between coastal states and global powers: delimitation agreements, EEZs and shared resources
- 8.8. Climate change and environmental security in ocean policy
- 8.9. Diplomatic communication and crisis management at sea: crisis simulation, strategic intelligence and public communication
- 8.10. Comparative case studies: the South China Sea, the Arctic and the Gulf of Guinea
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 9
Innovative Strategies for Ocean Sustainability and Security in Global Diplomacy
- 9.1. Conceptual and legal framework of ocean diplomacy: treaties, UNCLOS and maritime sovereignty
- 9.2. Contemporary maritime geopolitics: key actors, strategic conflicts and spheres of influence
- 9.3. Negotiation mechanisms for transnational cooperation on marine resources
- 9.4. Technological innovation in ocean monitoring: satellites, underwater sensors and GIS
- 9.5. Integrated maritime security strategies: illicit activities, maritime borders and hybrid threats
- 9.6. Public policy and climate diplomacy: impacts on marine ecosystems and adaptation of coastal communities
- 9.7. Successful international cooperation on marine protected areas and ocean corridors
- 9.8. Marine environmental assessment and ecological risk management in diplomacy
- 9.9. The sustainable blue economy: balancing resource use and long-term conservation
- 9.10. Strategic skills in multilateral diplomacy and negotiation under complex scenarios
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 10
International Organizations and the Negotiation of Ocean Treaties
- 10.1. The UN system and the ocean
- 10.2. The International Maritime Organization
- 10.3. The International Seabed Authority
- 10.4. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
- 10.5. Negotiating the BBNJ Agreement
- 10.6. The global plastics treaty
- 10.7. Climate diplomacy and the ocean
- 10.8. Multilateral negotiation techniques
- 10.9. Drafting diplomatic documents
- 10.10. Simulation of an international conference
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your paceModule 11
Final Project
- 11.1. Context of ocean diplomacy: history, development and current challenges in global maritime governance
- 11.2. International legal framework: UNCLOS, multilateral treaties and dispute settlement
- 11.3. Geopolitical analysis of the global ocean and the influence of state and non-state actors
- 11.4. Strategic design for sustainable governance integrating environmental, economic and social policy
- 11.5. Marine resource assessment and ocean zoning: protected areas, EEZs and biological corridors
- 11.6. Advanced monitoring tools: satellites, GIS, autonomous underwater vehicles and ocean sensors
- 11.7. Policies for climate mitigation and marine conservation: adaptation, acidification and biodiversity
- 11.8. International cooperation models and collaborative governance in international waters
- 11.9. Risk management, resilience, contingency planning and rapid response protocols
- 11.10. Engaging coastal communities, the private sector, NGOs and international organizations in implementation
At this stage
136 hestimated workload11 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy
It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
29
months to finish
125 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.
Faculty
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.
Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Eng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Eng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Eng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Eng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives
Objectives of the Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy
01Promote sustainable ocean governance: establish science-based policies that involve local communities.
02Lead the negotiation of maritime treaties: analyze existing treaties, identify gaps and propose clauses that advance sustainability and security.
03Anticipate and mitigate maritime geopolitical conflicts: apply proactive diplomatic communication with key actors in areas of tension.
04Protect vulnerable marine ecosystems: promote advanced monitoring technologies and cross-sector collaboration.
05Promote international cooperation on ocean resources: take part in international forums and agreements on fisheries and biodiversity.
06Shape evidence-based global ocean policy: present robust scientific data in international forums to support conservation measures.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Master's in Ocean Diplomacy and Global Policy
Ocean governance at the intersection of global policy and the sea: diplomacy, law, resource management, sustainability and maritime security.
Climate diplomacy focuses on the ocean-climate nexus; this master's covers ocean diplomacy as a whole, including resources, energy, security, technology, conservation and the negotiation of new treaties.
No. It is designed for professionals in law, international relations and political science, public officials, NGO staff, researchers and maritime executives. The admission interview confirms that your profile fits.
Yes. The program includes simulated diplomatic crises and a simulated international conference, along with case studies of real negotiations.
Among others, the BBNJ Agreement, the global plastics treaty, ocean-related climate negotiations and the work of the International Seabed Authority.
You design a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable governance of the global ocean, integrating law, geopolitics, resources, technology, risk management and stakeholders.
The master's is taught entirely online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, recorded live sessions and tutorials. It comprises 1500 hours of study across 11 modules of about 136 hours each, and you progress at your own pace within the schedule you are given on enrollment.
Related programs
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Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Profile: aimed at professionals in international law, international relations and political science who want to specialize in ocean governance, government officials and diplomats who negotiate maritime agreements, researchers analyzing ocean geopolitics, the law of the sea and maritime security, staff of NGOs and international organizations working on marine conservation, and executives in the maritime and energy sectors who need to understand the regulatory framework of the blue economy. A degree in political science, international relations, law, economics, geography, maritime studies or a related field, or proven professional experience in international organizations, public administration or the maritime sector, is recommended.
- Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
- Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
- Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrollmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
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Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
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