Peacebuilding (Graduate Certificate)

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Offered by the School of International Service .

Admission to the Program

Open to students with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution. Applicants must submit their official transcripts along with a one page statement of purpose.

Non-native English speakers are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they hold a degree from a US-accredited institution before enrollment at SIS. The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions consideration is 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or 600 on the paper-based test (PBT). The minimum IELTS score is 7.0.

The certificate includes three concentrations-conflict resolution, conflict and development, and human rights-corresponding to summer institutes. Institute courses cover both theory (concepts, models) and practice (analytical and behavioral skills) necessary for professional practitioners. Students must complete at least one summer institute to fulfill the requirements of the certificate.

Certificate Requirements

15 credit hours of approved coursework with at least 6 credit hours at the 600-level or above with grades of C or better. Grades of C- or D in certificate program courses are not accepted toward the fulfillment of certificate requirements, although these grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in certificate courses in order to be awarded a certificate. Students in certificate programs must take a minimum of 6 credit hours during each 12-month period and complete the certificate in four years. International students must enroll in 9 credit hours each semester (except for summer). A maximum of 3 credit hours earned at an accredited college or university may be applied toward the certificate as transfer credit.

Course Requirements

Conflict Resolution

Core Courses (6 credit hours)

6 credit hours from the following or other topics courses, as approved by the program director:

SIS-516 Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (3)
SIS-609 Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Theory and Practice (3)
SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
Post -War Peacebuilding (3 credit hours required)

Addressing Protracted Ethnopolitical Conflict (2 credit hours required)
SIS-647 Governance, Democracy, and Development (3)

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

9 credit hours from the following or other topics courses, as approved by the program director:

SIS-516 Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (3) (if not used to fulfill core requirement)
SIS-517 Gender and Conflict (3)
SIS-606 Culture and Peace and Conflict Resolution: Alternatives to Violence (3)
SIS-611 International Negotiation (3)
SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
Post -War Peacebuilding (3 credit hours required) (if not used to fulfill core requirement)

Religion and Culture in Conflict Resolution (3 credit hours required)

Conflict and Development

Core Courses (6 credit hours)

6 credit hours from the following or other topics courses, as approved by the program director:

SIS-516 Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (3)
SIS-540 Conflict and Development (3)
SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
Post -War Peacebuilding (3 credit hours required)

Linking Conflict, Aid, and Development (2 credit hours required)
SIS-647 Governance, Democracy, and Development (3)

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

9 credit hours from the following or other topics courses as approved by the program director:

SIS-516 Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (3) (if not used to fulfill core requirement)
SIS-539 Comparative Development Strategies (3)
SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
Post -War Peacebuilding (3 credit hours required) (if not used to fulfill core requirement)

Program Design: Planning Projects to Evaluate Impact (2 credit hours required)

Youth Participation in Peacebuilding (2 credit hours required)
SIS-637 International Development (3)

Human Rights

Core Courses (6 credit hours)

6 credit hours from the following or other topics courses, as approved by the program director:

SIS-516 Peacebuilding in Divided Societies (3)
SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
Post -War Peacebuilding (3 credit hours required)

Human Rights Advocacy Workshop (2 credit hours required)

Applying International Human Rights Law (1 credit hour required)
SIS-622 Human Rights (3)
SIS-647 Governance, Democracy, and Development (3)

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

9 credit hours from the following or other topics courses, as approved by the program director:

SIS-596 Selected Topics: Non-Recurring (1-6) (approved topic)
SIS-603 Special Institute in International Affairs (1-6) :
Disadvantaged Groups: Conflict Scenarios (2 credit hours required)

Managing Human Rights NGOs (1 credit hour required)
SIS-619 Special Studies in International Politics (3) :
Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy (3 credit hours required)

Introduction to Human Rights Methodology (1 credit hour required)