Certificate in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution

Peace Studies Program Pages
List of Approved Courses
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L&S Certificate Program Information
Undergraduate Catalog: Certificates
Undergraduate Catalog: Peace Studies

The process for officially enrolling in the Certificate Program is a simple one. Interested students should contact ...

Robert Ricigliano, Director
Institute of World Affairs
Garland Hall 114

Phone: 414-229-3222
e-mail: robr@uwm.edu
Andrea Joseph
Academic Advisor
Center for International Education
Garland Hall 111

Phone: 414-229-6925
e-mail: aherbert@uwm.edu

To sign-up for the certificate program you will need to schedule an advising appointment to complete a Declaration of Certificate Program form.

Program Information

The Peace Studies Program (PSP) is dedicated to helping people work together to creatively manage conflict through teaching and training, research, and service, both locally and internationally. The UWM College of Letters and Science Peace Studies Program works in collaboration with the Mediation Center, the Center for International Education, and is a member of the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Aim

The purpose of the Certificate in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution is to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to help people work together effectively and to manage their conflicts constructively. As the world becomes evermore interconnected it means that in whatever occupation students pursue, there will be a critical need to help people work through their differences, bridge diverse perspectives, and resolve their conflicts efficiently. Moreover, the cause of building peace in our community, nation and world will depend on our ability to work well together to solve problems and pursue opportunities. The Certificate aims to help students build the foundation in these essential skills.

How do I Start?

Getting started on a certificate is easy. All you need do is email the Certificate Advisor, Andrea Joseph, to express your interest and set up a time to meet and plan out your course of study for the certificate. In preparation for planning out your course of study it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with the requirements listed below.

Requirements

  • Overall requirements (18 credits)
  • Required courses (6 credits)
  • Required field work (3 credits)
  • Elective courses (9 credits)

The Certificate in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution is awarded at the time of graduation for bachelor degree candidates, and upon completion for non-degree candidates provided that 18 credits of designated course work are completed. The Certificate is open to students majoring in any field.

Course of Study
The certificate encourages students to take a multidisciplinary approach to their course of study. A student must complete 18 credits in the program and nine of these must be in advanced courses (300 level and above). No more than nine credits in a major may count toward the Certificate (unless permission is granted from the Certificate Coordinator). A 2.50 grade point average must be achieved in courses counting toward the Certificate and at least one-half of the work toward the Certificate must be completed at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Students interested in the Certificate should consult with the Coordinator of the Peace Studies Certificate or other designated advisor to plan their course of study for the certificate. See the program requirements below.

Required Courses (6 Credits)
Students are required to take two of the following courses:

  • Communication 520: Negotiation Workshop
  • Communication 665: Intro to Mediation
  • Communication 675: International Mediation
  • Peace Studies 201: Intro to Conflict Resolution and Peace
  • Political Science 175: Intro to International Relations

Required Fieldwork (3 credits)
Students are required to do an internship, self-designed research project, or study abroad (for a minimum of 3 credits) that involves hands on experience in the field of peace studies, conflict resolution, community service, or social change. The topic for the fieldwork (internship, study abroad, or independent study) should be approved by the Coordinator of the Peace Studies Certificate and the student should also meet the requirements of the department through which they are doing the fieldwork.

Elective Courses (9 credits)
In addition to their required courses, students must take 9 credits of elective courses (complete list). Students are encouraged to construct an area of concentration. Students can choose a concentration from the list of suggested areas of concentration below, or develop their own area of concentration (subject to approval by the Certificate Coordinator). Suggested areas of concentration may be either geographic and/or thematic:

  • World Regions and Countries (e.g. Students may focus their elective course work that combines an understanding of peace and conflict resolution with expertise in a particular country or region of the world such as Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, Central Africa, etc. Many Study Abroad programs may fulfill this requirement.)
  • Conflict Resolution Skills (e.g. course work in intercultural communication, Communication in Human Conflict, facilitation, group dynamics, negotiation, mediation, etc.)
  • International Relations (e.g. course work such as Arab-Israeli Relations: the Search for Peace, Principles of International Law: Conflict Resolution, International Conflict, Senior Seminar in International Relations)
  • Sustainable Development (e.g. course work such as Conservation of Natural Resources, Principles of Natural Resource Management, Economic Development, Environmental Dynamics)
  • Peace Studies/Education (e.g. course work such as Peace Education, Nonviolence in Education, Cooperative Learning; and Creative Conflict)
  • Social Change/Social Justice (e.g. course work such as Gandhi and Nonviolence, Philosophy of Political Action, Social Change, Conflict and Change, Conflict and Cooperation is Black-White Relations, Order and Disorder in the Quest for Social Justice)

Donate

The Peace Studies Program is in need of support for its programs and campus activites. Please contact Robert Ricigliano (tele: 414-229-2221 or e-mail: aherbert@uwm.edu) if you are interested in donating time or funds to the programs.