Peace & Conflict Resolution
The certificate in international peace and conflict resolution is available to currently enrolled University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill master’s or doctoral level graduate students in all departments and schools who wish to demonstrate a specialization in issues of international peace and conflict resolution. The certificate is noted on the student’s transcript.
The goals of this certificate are for students to:
- Demonstrate a specialization in issues related to peace and conflict resolution in the international arena. (Research and coursework must therefore have significant international content.)
- Foster interdisciplinary approaches to peace and conflict resolution.
- Gain hands-on practical experience in peace and conflict resolution by working with a relevant volunteer organization.
Requirements
- Three approved courses (nine credit hours) on topics related to international peace and conflict resolution
Courses should relate to at least two of the following thematic areas: economic development/sustainable development; politics and governance; culture/identity/nationalism/human rights; and negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution. At least two of the three courses must be taken outside the student’s home department. - A thesis, dissertation or major seminar paper on a topic related to international peace and conflict resolution
Submit to the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center a thesis, dissertation, or major seminar paper on a topic related to international development and social change. (DEADLINE: May 4, 2018) - An independent research project involving at least 80 hours of practical service with a volunteer organization that works to promote peace, social justice, sustainable development and/or conflict resolution
This project must result in a 5 to 10-page critical analysis of how the organization deals with peace and conflict resolution. (DEADLINE: May 4, 2018) - Attendance at the annual Duke-UNC Rotary Center conference
Next conference will be held April 7, 2018.
Process
Graduate students interested in pursuing the certificate are responsible for constructing their own course plan and making all arrangements associated with the independent research project/internship. Students should:
- Design a course plan in consultation with your faculty advisor and email it to the managing director of the Rotary Peace Center for approval. Course plans must demonstrate thematic integrity and coherence. Independent Study and language courses do not count toward the course requirements. The completed and signed certificate application form should be forwarded to the Rotary Center managing director no later than October 31 of the applicant’s first year of study. [Please note that only 40% of the certificate requirements can double-count toward another student degree (i.e. generally only one course) to enable receipt of two separate university credentials. In other words, you must demonstrate that you have taken a minimum of 5.5 additional credits beyond your graduate degree requirements in order to receive the certificate.]
- Approved applicants must attend the Rotary Peace Conference April 7, 2018.
- Prior to initiation of the independent research project or internship, the student must submit a written statement of intent to the Duke-UNC Rotary Peace Center for approval, in which the relevance and goals of the project are clearly delineated. An official letter of affiliation from the proposed organization is also required.
- Following the practical service period, the student must submit to the Rotary Peace Center a 5 to 10-page critical analysis of the project and its relation to an issue of international peace and conflict resolution.
- Submit the thesis, dissertation or major seminar paper to the Rotary Peace Center.
- All materials must be received prior to the student’s graduation date, specifically May 4, 2018.
Awarding of the Certificate
The certificate will be noted as a stamp on the university transcript for UNC students. All recipients will receive a paper certificate from the Center for Global Initiatives.