Application Process for Admission to the Masters Program
Admission to the master’s program is on a rolling basis year-round. If you wish to be considered for an assistantship you must meet the early deadline, February 15th.
- Complete an online application to the Graduate School.
- For Fall admission, complete your application by July 1st (February 15th to be considered for an assistantship and/or tuition remission.).
- For Spring admission, complete your application by October 1st.
- Submit the following to the Graduate School
- Official transcripts for all undergraduate work (whether a degree was obtained or not).
- Three (3) letters of recommendation (Preferably by persons capable of speaking about your academic work or academic potential. Please avoid strictly personal references).
- GRE is not required.
- Write a personal statement [250-300 words] explaining your personal goals and why you wish to study Peace & Conflict Studies.
- As part of the admission process, you may be called for a short personal interview, either in person, by telephone, or Skype.
VISIONS Program for Non-Degree-Seeking Students
If you would like to take Peace and Conflict Studies classes out of personal or professional interest it is easy to do so. The Graduate School’s VISIONS Program offers the opportunity to explore a graduate program on a part-time basis, strengthen your graduate application, or simply grow as a student.
“If you later decide to enroll in the PCS Master’s or the PCS Certificate program, up to 9 hours taken through the Vision Program can be applied to the PCS MA degree or 3 hours to the PCS certificate program.”
The application for the VISIONS Program is easy to fill out and the deadline is near the beginning of each semester.
Course Registration Process
- (New students) Activate your default computer accounts.
- For new students, the Graduate Program Director will assist you in filling out an initial Plan of Study (Please find the appropriate PoS for your concentration under the Forms tab of this website). This plan may be updated throughout your journey through the program.
- Pick your classes based on the Graduate School Catalog and the current course offering.
- Read the instructions and register for your classes online through UNCGenie.
- Pay for your classes with the Cashiers Office.
- Access your classes through Canvas.
Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies (30 OR 33 Semester Credit Hours – Depending on Concentration)
The Master of Arts (MA) in Peace and Conflict Studies program was launched in 2004. The Master’s program promotes a systemic perspective to the challenges facing individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
With an interdisciplinary sensibility and a commitment to individual, cultural, and social integrity, we train professionals to employ collaborative and equitable methods for resolving human problems.
Our goal is to mold reflective conflict scholars and practitioners – professionals with a critical understanding of theory and method and who operate within an overarching framework of diversity, human rights, social justice, and responsibility.
You are encouraged to explore a range of professional applications of your practice skills, as you are closely mentored and supported by the faculty. The program is built on a comprehensive integrated core curriculum, varied electives, and flexible time schedules allowing students of all ages and needs to participate in the learning process.
Concentrations
The M.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies requires completion of 30 credit hours for the campus-based (Residential) Sustainable Peace and Justice Concentration and 33 credit hours for the online Transformative Peace and Conflict Concentration. Two modes of delivery and three concentration options allow students of various ages, job requirements, and delivery needs to participate in the learning process.
The Sustainable Peace and Justice Concentration offers both Practicum and Thesis options. For both options, face-to-face courses are typically offered in the evenings to meet the needs and schedules of working adults.
The Transformative Peace and Conflict Concentration offers online classes that are asynchronous and do not require specific meeting times.
Sustainable Peace and Justice Concentration: Residential
Required: 30 credit hours
Practicum Option
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Required Courses (12 credits) | ||
| PCS 621 | Critical Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| PCS 622 | Skills in Transformative Conflict | 3 |
| PCS 623 | Community and Action Research | 3 |
| PCS 624 | Peace and Justice in a Changing Climate | 3 |
| Electives (15 credits) | ||
| Select 15 credits of electives from graduate-level PCS courses* | 15 | |
| Practicum (Capstone Experience (3 credits)) | ||
| PCS 690 | Integrated Practicum: Professional Development Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Course List
*Students may select one course (3 credits) outside of PCS that fits their area of study in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Students may select one online PCS graduate course as one of their electives. Please visit the catalog for a list of possible PCS electives.
Thesis Option (approval required)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Required Courses (12 credits) | ||
| PCS 621 | Critical Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies | 3 |
| PCS 622 | Skills in Transformative Conflict | 3 |
| PCS 623 | Community and Action Research | 3 |
| PCS 624 | Peace and Justice in a Changing Climate | 3 |
| Electives (12-15 credits) | ||
| Select 12-15 credits of electives from graduate-level PCS courses* | 12-15 | |
| Thesis (Capstone Experience (3-6 credits)) | ||
| PCS 699 | Thesis | 3-6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Course List
*Students may select one course (3 credits) outside of PCS that fits their area of study in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Students may select one online PCS graduate course as one of their electives. Please visit the catalog for a list of possible PCS electives.
Course Plan
Sustainable Peace and Justice Concentration: Residential
Year 1
| Fall (9 credits) | Spring (9 credits) |
| PCS 621, Critical Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies or PCS 622, Skills in Transformative Conflict | PCS 623, Community and Action Research or PCS 624, Peace and Justice in a Changing Climate |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS Elective Course |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS Elective Course |
Year 2
| Fall (6-9 credits) | Spring (6-9 credits) |
| PCS 621, Critical Foundations of Peace and Conflict Studies or PCS 622, Skills in Transformative Conflict | PCS 690, Integrated Colloquium or PCS 699, Thesis |
| PCS or Other Elective Course | PCS 623, Community and Action Research or PCS 624, Peace and Justice in a Changing Climate |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS Elective Course |
Transformative Peace and Conflict Concentration: Online
Required: 33 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
| Required Courses (12 credits) | ||
| PCS 600 | Transforming Conflict: Histories and Theories | 3 |
| PCS 601 | Indigenous Peace Practices | 3 |
| PCS 605 | Skills and Techniques of Conflict Management | 3 |
| PCS 607 | Conflict Analysis: Theories of Change | 3 |
| Electives (18 credits) | ||
| Select 18 credits of electives from graduate-level PCS courses* | 18 | |
| Practicum (Capstone Experience (3 credits)) | ||
| PCS 690 | Integrated Practicum: Professional Development Project | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 33 |
Course List
*Students may select one course (3 credits) outside of PCS that fits their area of study in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Please visit the catalog for a list of possible PCS electives.
Course Plan
Transformative Peace and Conflict Concentration: Online
Year 1
| Fall (9 credits) | Spring (9 credits) |
| PCS 600, Principles and Practice of Conflict Management and Resolution OR PCS 601 Indigenous Peace Practices | PCS 605, Skills and Techniques of Conflict Management |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS 607, Conflict Analysis: Theories of Change |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS Elective Course |
Year 2
| Fall (9 credits) | Spring (6-9 credits) |
| PCS 600, Principles and Practice of Conflict Management and Resolution OR PCS 601 Indigenous Peace Practices | PCS 690, Integrated Colloquium |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS Elective Course |
| PCS Elective Course | PCS Elective Course |
International Applicants
For more information about the International student application process, please click here.
Semester Calendars
For semester calendars and important dates, click here.
Tuition & Fees
For information regarding tuition and fees, please visit the Cashiers Office.
Catalog
Graduate Program Director
- Marcia Hale, Ph.D. mrhale@uncg.edu