by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents eager to prevent war and promote peace both globally and domestically may choose to major in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution. This major will explore the causes of conflict and the conditions of peace. Your classes will involve modeling and learning from peacemakers such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela. Courses will include the study of arms control and nuclear disarmament.
This is an interdisciplinary topic that will require you to use knowledge from variety of subjects. Conflict resolution; feminism, ecology, and peace; history or nonviolence; literature of peace; philosophies of war and peace; and international relations are all common courses in this major. This major is relatively new and not available at all colleges.
Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution was the 231st most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,175 degrees in this year alone. This 38 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.2%.
Our 2023 Best Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution Schools ranking analyzes 29 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for peace studies and conflict resolution students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of conflict resolution programs later in this article.
This major is well-suited to the student who is passionate about resolving conflict worldwide. Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution is for an optimistic person who knows that the world can be a better place. You will attend lectures and classes where you will need to participate in discussion and ask questions.
Students should be open-minded and ready to work with people from all backgrounds. Speaking skills will help you present oral reports and role play as U.N. delegates to help build different and useful peacemaking skills. Reading scholarly work will be normal and you should be ready to apply all types of peace making theories to real life situations. Most colleges will require that you expose yourself to real situations through an internship.
peace studies and conflict resolution degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic peace studies and conflict resolution program qualifications, to serve in some conflict resolution careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Conflict Resolution degree levels vary. Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest conflict resolution degree you can get. Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution will open the door to many different occupations. Many graduates participate in the Peace Corps. Grads also go on to work for the government as ambassadors, mediators, judges, or hearing officers. You could also work for non-profit companies or human rights organizations. Depending on what field you choose, you may need additional training.
Recently graduated peace studies and conflict resolution students earned an average of $43,172 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $21,803 to as high as $68,021. As you might expect, salaries for conflict resolution graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution is one of 44 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
