The professional tracks are designed to help master's students advance their career trajectories within the broad field of peace studies. Each track offers core knowledge and skills relevant for work in the area.
- The Conflict Analysis and Transformation track deepens student understanding of the nature and dynamics of conflict as well as strategies for managing and transforming conflict into more positive relationships, sustainable peace, and just societies. Students gain skills in identifying key factors and dilemmas in conflict settings and in fostering constructive change processes. Individuals in this track could pursue careers involving mediation and facilitation from the grassroots to the international level, restorative justice, and program development and training in conflict transformation.
- The Organizational Management and Leadership track orients students for careers as professionals in peace-related local and international NGOs, governmental and intergovernmental agencies, and religious and other civil society organizations. Students gain a deeper understanding of the role of various kinds of organizations in peacebuilding and the challenges they face. Students reflect on what it means to be a leader in an organization, the ingredients of effective leadership, and their own leadership style. They also acquire skills and tools needed to manage organizational peacebuilding efforts effectively.
- In the Policy Analysis and Political Change track, students analyze policy formation, implementation, and evaluation designed to build sustainable peace. Students gain skills in developing policies as well as broader initiatives to promote normative and structural change. This track provides a strong background for pursuing careers in areas such as policy advising in government, in regional or global international organizations, or in NGO settings; political organizing and advocacy work; and human rights implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
