International Peace and Conflict Resolution

Structure Your Experience to Match Your Career Goals

The IPCR program uniquely provides students with both a solid foundation at the intersection of international peace and conflict resolution and development. The program provides opportunities to put theory into practical application through project-based learning, internships, and field experiences.

Full-time or Part-time Options

You will enroll in a three-term (full-time) or six-term (part-time) master’s degree program, which includes an applied, professional internship and practical international field experiences. The program is cohort-based—you will begin together in the fall and, if you are attending full-time, complete your degree the following December.

Foundation Courses

In our foundation courses, you are engaged in deep discussions on theories of war, conflict, and peace, in small, intimate courses with your cohort. Over the course of your program, you will take required courses in:

• Theories of peace and conflict resolution.
• Practices of conflict transformation including mediation, negotiation, and facilitation.
• Conflict assessment.
• A Case in Conflict course which includes a subsidized, cohort field study trip
• Capstone Project course where you'll complete a practical, applied project that prepares you for a career in the field.

Elective Selection

In addition to your cohort-based courses, you will choose electives throughout your program. Electives enable you to pursue your individual career goals, which you will combine with your internship, field study courses, and a capstone project to form a comprehensive package of experiences, skills, and knowledge that will prepare you for a successful career in the field of peacebuilding.

Required Internship

With the help of our expert advisors, practitioners, scholars, and alumni, you choose your own internship. It is conducted either in the U.S. or overseas, in the summer or during the final fall term alongside the Capstone Project. The internship is a key field opportunity to develop your professional skills, networks, and job prospects. An overseas internship also counts toward the global field experience requirement.

Capstone Project: Bringing It All Together

All students conduct a Capstone Project during the final semester of the program. The Capstone Project gives you the opportunity to integrate your theory and coursework with your internships and field experiences in a professional project.

Degree Requirements

View University Catalog

Admission Requirements

This is a three-term full-time or six-term part-time program.

Arcadia University considers applications for this program from college graduates of all majors, especially those who have demonstrated scholastic excellence and a commitment to international peace and conflict resolution and development. Related experience and achievements, either domestic or international, also are desirable. The program requests the following from applicants:

1. A graduate application, including personal statements, to be completed online at www.arcadia.edu/gradapp.
2. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a recommended GPA of 3.0 or better and preferably a major in Peace Studies, Political Science, History, Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Religion or another liberal arts discipline.
3. One official transcript from each college, university or professional school attended. Transfer credits included on a transcript must include grades earned; if not, an official transcript from the original school must be submitted. Transcripts must be sent from the issuing school in a sealed envelope and contain the appropriate signatures and seals to be considered official.
4. Three letters of recommendation from persons who are able to judge the applicant’s qualifications to undertake graduate study. At least two recommendation letters must be from academics.
5. An interview with the IPCR Program by invitation only.
6. International applicants should visit www.arcadia.edu/international for detailed information on admission requirements and application procedures. Official results from the TOEFL or IELTS are required for all students for whom English is a second language except for non-native speakers of English who hold degrees or diplomas from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries (e.g. the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand). A course-by-course evaluation of all transcripts by an independent evaluation service based in the United States also is required.
7. Dual degree candidates must be accepted into each of the programs in order to pursue dual degrees.

GREs are not required for admission. In exceptional cases, after reviewing an applicant’s academic record and non-academic experience, the Director may waive one or more prerequisites.

Application Deadline

Currently accepting applications.

Deposit Deadline

If an offer of admission is accepted, a $500 deposit must accompany the acceptance reply.  This deposit is applied to the first semester’s tuition and is non-refundable. Specific deposit deadline dates will be noted on acceptance letter.

Deferred Admission

A student admitted to the program who wants to defer admission for one year must submit a request to do so in writing to the IPCR Program Director. Deferrals will be granted by the program on an individual basis. Once the deferral is granted, a student must submit the required deposit to reserve his or her seat in the class. This deposit will be credited toward tuition. A student who is granted a deferral must understand that he or she will be subject to the prevailing tuition at the time of matriculation to the program. 

Expenses

See Tuition and Fees for Graduate Students

Additional Expenses

• Books and supplies (estimated): $1,000
• Room and Board: Off Campus

Upon enrollment into their programs, all students must provide proof of medical insurance and also provide information about their health and medical history. If needed, medical insurance can be purchased through the University. Information and applications are available in the Office of Student Health Services.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Scholarships: Upon review for admission, students automatically will be reviewed by the academic department for a limited number of partial merit scholarships. A limited amount of Graduate Assistantships are also awarded on a merit basis for up to 10 hours per week.

Travel Purse: A $2,500 travel purse is set-aside for every full-time IPCR student to use towards special international experiences or global internships as approved by the IPCR Director.

Financial aid is available to assist qualified students in covering tuition and related expenses, as well as living costs. Additionally, students can apply to receive up to $20,500 annually through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan at a fixed interest. In addition to the Stafford Loan, students can choose to borrow either a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan or a private alternative student loan to cover remaining expenses. Graduate assistantships also may be available to those who qualify. More information.

Academic Policies and Procedures

A student accepted into the International Peace and Conflict Resolution program is expected to abide by the regulations set forth by Arcadia University.

The University reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time for unsatisfactory academic performance or for conduct detrimental to the University or to the welfare of other students.

In order for students to remain in good academic standing, they must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 throughout the first year of the program. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required to be eligible to participate in the second year of the program. A grade below “C” may not be applied toward a degree. If a grade below “C” is received, the student must petition to retake the course.

Student Experiences

The world is our classroom and global field experiences are the cornerstone of the IPCR program, providing students with unparalleled practical, hands-on opportunities to hone professional skills, engage in experiential learning, and develop a network and community of colleagues. By graduation, IPCR students are not only well trained and educated but already out in the world actively building peace as advocates, activists, social entrepreneurs, and NGO program managers.

Field Experiences and Internships

You will engage in significant "real world" experience through internships, project-based learning and global field work through our Global Field Study courses. In IPCR, we believe it’s essential to be global citizens living and engaging in meaningful cross-cultural exchanges to be effective peacebuilders.

Project-based Learning

Our scholars are also practitioners, connecting their research with real-world application. Our courses reflect that through the incorporation of project-based learning. In many courses, you will work independently and in small groups on developing practical solutions to real-world problems.

Bringing It All Together

Conflict Resolution Careers

A Master’s Degree in International Peace in Conflict Resolution makes you competitive for jobs in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, peace and conflict resolution-related employment is growing, and those with IPCR degrees are also well-suited for careers in education, business, government, development, or health fields.

Alumni Employers

More than half of our alumni are employed in nongovernmental organizations, while others work in government, education-related fields, or the private sector. IPCR faculty, staff, and alumni work together to help you successfully navigate professional placement and career development.

Meet Our Students, Alumni and Faculty

Our students come from all over the world, and they engage in a wide range of activities during and after the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program.

Hannah Simon-Girard ’14 MA-IPCR and MPH

Hannah is a registered nurse (RN), practicing in community health, completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at University of Massachusetts Medical School. “As a graduate of both Arcadia's Master of Arts in International Peace & Conflict Resolution and Public Health programs, I received mentoring and professional training from faculty across the fields of peace building and population health - most notably Dr. Bill Jacobsen, Dr. Warren Haffar, and Alex Otieno. My global field work experiences in locations such as Cyprus, Ukraine, & Rwanda both challenged and inspired me as a scholar and practitioner to appreciate the complexities of the work and the necessity of remaining intellectually curious and humble. Nowadays, I continue to apply this wisdom and skillset within my program oversight and direct patient care, as a staff nurse as well as a clinical resident pursuing my DNP-FNP, in my current setting at a federally qualified health center. I am regularly reminded in my daily practice of all of the ways that my training in IPCR and Community Health influence my worldview and decision-making for the better. It is a unique gift and responsibility that I carry into the future.”

Fodeba Daboh ’11 MA-IPCR

Fodeba Daboh was recently appointed as Director General of the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency by His Excellency the President, Rtd Brig. Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The Sierra Leone Local Content Agency was created in 2016 by the country’s Parliament to support the vast growth of Sierra Leone’s economy. As Director General, Daboh oversees and monitors the compliance of foreign direct investment in Sierra Leone and ensures that local people are included in economic development. “The key to my work in this new role is to ensure indigenous Sierra Leone citizens are given first consideration and unique opportunities in terms of employment and capacity building… Prior to now, there has been lots of reports that Sierra Leone’s economy has been growing, but it’s not translating to employment and business opportunities for in-country residents.” A native of Sierra Leone, Daboh fled civil war in the 1990s and arrived in Pennsylvania by the early 2000s. While an IPCR student, his research focused on youth unemployment and conflict in Sierra Leone and he interned with Heifer International, which focuses on ending global poverty. Since then, Daboh has traveled between the United States and Sierra Leone to give back to his home country.

Meet Our Faculty

Our faculty are expert scholars and practitioners who provide hands-on learning in a supportive, academic community.

Faculty