Did you know that a number of Catholic higher education institutions feature degree programs focused on peacebuilding and peace studies? If you’re interested in an academic approach to social issues, then take a look at what various Catholic colleges and universities have to offer you!
Boston College (Certificate)
Boston College’s Center for Human Rights and International Justice addresses the increasingly interdisciplinary needs of human rights work with students from graduate and professional programs across the university. The Center offers an interdisciplinary Certificate Program in Human Rights and International Justice, with students drawn from MA and PhD programs in sociology, psychology, political science, economics, philosophy, and theology, and from post-graduate professional programs in education, law, social work, and others. Through multidisciplinary training programs, applied research, and the interaction of scholars with practitioners, the Center aims to nurture a new generation of scholars and practitioners in the United States and abroad who draw upon the strengths of many disciplines, and the wisdom of rigorous ethical training, in the attainment of human rights and international justice.
The Catholic University of America (M.A., Ph.D.)
The Center for Social Development offers a program in conjunction with the Religion and Culture academic area emphasizing analysis of the ways that religious expressions have transformed cultures and have been transformed by them. Both the M.A. and Ph.D. are offered. The area’s programs utilize the methods of the social sciences and humanities in the study of religion, emphasizing the human and cultural dimensions of religious life. These methods may include anthropology, sociology, psychology, literary theory, history, phenomenology, ritual studies, and others.
Emmanuel College (B.A. majors, minor)
The Political Science and International Studies department offers several majors designed to prepare students for work and life in an increasingly inter-connected world. International Studies provides a broad-based foundation in world history, culture, politics, and economics. The major is well-suited to students interested in a career in such rapidly growing sectors as international business, law, media, and governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with diplomacy, policy making, public health, peace, relief operations, immigration, and the environment. Concentrations within the major include diplomacy & security and sustainability & global justice. An interdisciplinary Peace Studies minor, drawing on theology, philosophy, sociology, history, and political science, is also offered.
Georgetown University (B.A. certificate, M.A.)
The two-year M.A. in Conflict Resolution is an intensive, theoretically- and practically-oriented, multidisciplinary degree. It is housed in the Government Department, with core courses offered also in the Department of Psychology and the McDonough School of Business. Elective courses may be selected from departments across campus, including courses in dispute resolution offered at the Georgetown University Law Center. Students can also participate in activities of the Berkeley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs. Georgetown also has an undergraduate Program on Justice and Peace, with a suggested concentration in Catholic Social Teaching. The School of Foreign Service in collaboration with the Berkeley Center now offers the Religion, Ethics, and World Affairs certificate program in which undergraduate students can explore the faith-related dimension of global issues.
Marquette University (B.A. major, minors)
Marquette offers an interdisciplinary major in peace studies and minors in peace studies and in justice and peace. Courses focusing on conceptualizing justice and peace, bridging social communities, promoting social and economic justice, and resolving violent conflict.
University of Dayton (B.A. major)
Through the International Studies major, a Peace and Global Security concentration is offered at the undergraduate level. International Studies is a multidisciplinary major designed to meet the needs of students seeking the broadly based international perspective required for successful careers in education, government, international business, law, national and homeland security, humanitarian relief, and social entrepreneurship. The curriculum includes a core of required courses, a concentration, a foreign language requirement, an international and/or cross-cultural experiential component, and a senior capstone seminar. The experiential component may be satisfied through study abroad, internship, language immersion, service, or work experience.
University of Notre Dame (Fellowship; B.A. major, minor; M.A.; Ph.D.)
Beginning in Fall 2017, Notre Dame’s new Keough School of Global Affairs will offer International Peace Studies as an important feature of the new Master’s in Global Affairs.The Kroc Institute’s Ph.D. program trains scholars in interdisciplinary peace research and history, political science, psychology, sociology or theology. Students apply for admission in one of these five areas. Graduates are prepared for research and teaching positions that contribute to solving the global challenges of violent conflict and peace.The Kroc Institute also has an undergraduate program in peace studies, and the University of Notre Dame has a program in Catholic Social Tradition.
University of San Diego (B.A. minor, one- and two-year M.A. programs)
The Master of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies is an interdisciplinary program emphasizing peace as human development. The goals of the program are: 1) to produce graduates who are capable of relating disciplinary and cross-disciplinary theories of peace and justice to real world problem-solving involving regional and international conflict; 2) to foster scholarly agendas that examine the dynamics of justice and peacebuilding; and, 3) to facilitate faculty and student interaction and development across disciplines and academic units at USD, along with outreach to the community and the larger society. The Program takes full advantage of the School of Peace Studies’ two institutes: the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice and the Trans-Border Institute. USD also has an undergraduate minor in peace and justice.
University of St. Thomas (MN) (B.A. major, minor)
The Justice and Peace Studies major offers a revised curriculum with three concentrations, offering skill sets for a variety of career tracks, and a minor, which has been revised as well. The three concentrations are Leadership for Social Justice, Conflict Transformation, and Public Policy Analysis & Advocacy.
Does your college or university offer a program on peace and justice? Let us know!
ACCU Peace and Justice 