As a Peace and Conflict Studies major, you will focus on understanding and developing solutions to social injustice and lack of equality.

Bachelor's in Peace and Conflict Studies

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The Bachelor's in Peace and Conflict Studies at 小猪视频 provides an in-depth understanding of conflict and strategies for peacebuilding, social justice and conflict resolution.聽

The curriculum draws from sociology, history, political science and related fields. You鈥檒l explore issues like violence, mediation, human rights and advocacy. Gain hands-on experience through study abroad and internships at places like Lowell Community Health Center and Massachusetts Peace Fund.聽

As a graduate, you can pursue careers in human rights advocacy, diplomacy, nonprofit management, restorative justice, community engagement and more.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Peace and Conflict Studies?

Graduates from 小猪视频's Peace and Conflict Studies program make a difference in diverse career fields, including:聽

  • Restorative justice
  • Conflict resolution
  • Human rights advocacy
  • Education
  • Women's advancement
  • Diplomacy
  • Non-profit management聽
Female-Two-Hands-Library

Career Opportunities

  • Conflict mediator
  • Family advocate
  • Human rights officer
  • Neighborhood action planner
  • Psychologist
  • Researcher
  • Study abroad counselor
  • Victim contact worker

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2025 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PCST.1250Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies (CTPS)3
ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100
College Writing (CW) I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City
3
FAHS.1090First Year Experience Seminar1
MATH.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH) - MATH.2830 recommended (QL)3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 1 and Culture3
Total13

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PCST.2010 /
POLI.2010
Research Methods in Peace and Conflict Studies /
Research Methods in Political Science (IL)
3
PHIL.1030Introduction to Ethics (SRE)3
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
WLxx.xxxxLanguage 2 and Culture3
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)4
Total16

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPeace and Conflict Studies (PCS)聽Area A: Global Peace and Diplomacy5 (DCA)3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)4
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 3 and Culture /
World Ready Elective1
3
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPCS Area B: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution53
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxLanguage 4 and Culture /
World Ready Elective1
3
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPCS Area C: Sustainability and Environmental Justice53
xxxx.xxxxPCS Area Elective53
xxxx.xxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
xxxx.xxxxWorld Ready Elective1 /
Free Elective
3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPCS Advanced Seminar (AIL), (WOC)23
xxxx.3/4xxxPCS Area Elective (3000/4000 level)53
xxxx.3/4xxxPCS Area Elective (3000/4000 level)53
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
Total15

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.3/4xxxPCS Area Elective (3000/4000 level)53
xxxx.3/4xxxPCS Area Elective (3000/4000 level)53
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
xxxx.xxxxPCS Area Elective53
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
xxxx.xxxxFree Elective3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 120.

Minimum [major] Credits: 33.

Maximum [major] that can be counted toward graduation: 54.

1World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture / history / literature / film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.

2PCST.5530 if doing Bachelor鈥檚 to Master鈥檚.

3PCS majors meet the Diversity and Cultural Awareness (DCA) ELO through an approved PCS Area B or elective course:

4PCS majors meet the Information Literacy (IL) ELO with an approved course outside the major requirements.

5Students must see their advisement report in SIS for a list of approved PCS electives.

A major in Peace and Conflict Studies consists of 36 to 45 credits with at least 18 credits at the 3000 level or above (includes required and elective courses).

Students must take at least 1 course in each of the three areas (Area A, B, C).

Notes:

  • A statistics course is highly recommended.
  • At least 75 credits must be earned outside of the major including general education requirements, language requirement, and free electives. Elective courses that are used to fulfill Peace and Conflict Studies major requirements cannot also be applied to satisfy a student鈥檚 general education requirements.

Students transferring to the college and wishing to major in Peace and Conflict Studies must make individual arrangements with the program director regarding satisfaction of major course requirements.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Current 小猪视频 students should use their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6-8 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Meet Our Students

Dana Ibrahim, second from left in front, and fellow students touch a statue on street in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Dana Ibrahim '20, '21
Peace and Conflict Studies & Political Science

Dana Ibrahim chose 小猪视频 for its peace and conflict studies program, which lets her combine classes across the social sciences and humanities to suit her goal: to become a diplomat and aid refugees.

You鈥檙e not just getting a degree; you鈥檙e building your future as you go.
Adeja Crearer in front of video camera
Adeja Crearer '17, '18
English

One faculty member opened a door for Adeja Crearer, and it changed her life.

Every opportunity I got came from someone on the faculty or staff who took the time to see my potential and then took the extra step to open a door for me.

Why Study Peace and Conflict Studies at 小猪视频?

Peace and Conflict Studies program alumni gathering.

Internships

Gain relevant work experience and industry connections. Recent internships include:

  • Lowell High School, Peer Mediation
  • Angkor Dance Troupe, Youth Cultural Education
  • Active Non-Violence Education Center, Dharamsala, India
Four people sit on chairs arranged in a circle.

Expert Faculty

Engage with our faculty who are experts in:聽

  • Social organizing and nonviolent action
  • Understanding terrorism, religion and democracy
  • Responses to genocide
  • Conflict in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, and other regional disputes
  • Women's movements for peace
  • Mass media and the role of technology in conflict resolution
  • Politics of human rights
2017 Greeley Peace Scholar journalist Noy Thrupkaew at Lowell Community Health Center.

Research Opportunities

Students, faculty and visiting scholars are engaged in a wide range of research on key issues in Peace and Conflict Studies.

Two students on stage and holding microphones.

Career Connected Experience: The 小猪视频 Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year 小猪视频 student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career 鈥 earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

Visit 小猪视频

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