The first year
Master’s students spend their first year completing coursework, including a combination of:
- foundational courses in peace studies and conflict resolution;
- courses that provide depth in one of 3 professional tracks;
- electives related to global politics, human rights, religion, culture, and political economy; and
- a course on reflective practice and writing in preparation for the field experience.
The second year
In the second year, most master’s students complete a 6-month internship that relates to their professional interests, in Jerusalem; Gulu, Uganda; Cape Town, South Africa; Mindanao, the Philippines; or the United States. The field experience is an opportunity for students to integrate the theory they've learned in the classroom with the practical work of peace-related organizations engaged in policymaking, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, interreligious dialogue, human rights, reconciliation, education, or advocacy.
After their internship, students return to Notre Dame for an integrative capstone seminar and additional coursework, including a class that guides them as they write a master’s paper linking peacebuilding theory with their work experience in the field.
The thesis option: A small number of students choose to write a master's thesis instead of pursuing an international internship. These students remain on campus during both academic years and, in their second year, research and write a peace studies thesis.
Curricular Requirements
Master’s students complete 42 credits of coursework including:
- Foundations in Peace Studies I and II (history and concepts in the field of peace studies and peacebuilding, research design and methods)
- Conflict Transformation and Strategic Peacebuilding
- Reflective practice and writing for the field experience
- Three courses in one of the following professional tracks:
- Conflict Analysis and Transformation
- Organizational Leadership and Management
- Policy Analysis and Political Change
- At least four electives, with at least one course in each of the following thematic areas:
- Global Politics and Human Rights
- Religion, Culture and Society
- Political Economy, Development and Globalization
- Field Experience and Internship (for those students choosing the field option)
- Master’s Colloquium for students returning from the field, where students integrate knowledge gained through theory and practice
- Writing Seminar in which students write their integrative master’s paper, or Thesis Research for those students writing a master’s thesis
