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.
In 2021-2022, peace studies & conflict resolution was the 231st most popular major nationwide with 961 degrees awarded. This year's Best Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution Schools ranking compares 16 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. 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.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most conflict resolution degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific conflict resolution careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
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. The type of conflict resolution degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| 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 & conflict resolution students earned an average of $50,926 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $32,523 to as high as $64,709. As you might expect, salaries for conflict resolution graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution | 961 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 31,307 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,032 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,114 |
| International Studies | 6,614 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,598 |
