International Peace and Conflict Resolution, M.A.

Faculty

Director

• Warren R. Haffar, Ph.D., Professor of Peace and Conflict Resolution

Department Chair

• Amy Widestrom, Associate Professor of Political Science Studies

Faculty

• Antony Dugdale, M.A., Instructor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Alex N. Grigorev, M.A., M.I.A., Instructor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Bill Jacobsen, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Angela Kachuyevski, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science
• Jennifer Riggan, Ph.D., Associate Professor of International Studies
• Barbara Simmons, B.A,  Instructor of International Peace and Conflict Resolution
• Alex Otieno, Lecturer in Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice

About the Program

Students in the graduate program in International Peace and Conflict Resolution pursue a Master’s degree that consists of three terms of intensive academic training at our Glenside campus including an internship, concentration and capstone.

Internships are directly related to the academic and professional interests of the student. Internships allow students to develop critical professional skills and contacts and enable students to successfully transition to the professional world upon graduation. Internships may be pursued overseas or nationally during the summer before the third term or locally in the final term.

Students also choose a program concentration. Concentrations are sets of specific professional skills that act as pathways to careers in particular areas of the field of conflict resolution. Options include:

1. Social Justice: Advocacy and Activism
2. NGO Management and Social Entrepreneurship
3. Build your own

Concentrations are sets of specific professional skills that act as pathways to careers in particular areas of the field of conflict resolution.

In the final term, students complete a capstone project that brings together their concentration, internship and professional development goals.

Program Details

The IPCR program is structured to develop competencies in:

• Theories and dynamics of conflict, conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction and development, international law and organizations;
• Tools and techniques of conflict management, conflict resolution and conflict transformation;
• Conflict analysis, which involves developing an understanding of how states and other third parties impact conflict;
• The methods used to diffuse conflict on a variety of levels—interpersonal, groups and institutions. Interdisciplinary perspectives on the field of peace and conflict resolution;
• Critical thinking skills and research methods, which span the spectrum of qualitative and quantitative methods;
• Cultural sensitivity and inter-cultural understandings through international and field experiences;
• Oral presentation and communication skills;

In the first term of study, students complete required courses in Theories of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Foundations of Peacebuilding, and choose two electives. 

In the second term, students take four courses (2 required and 2 elective): A Case in Conflict, Conflict Transformation, and two electives. The Case in Conflict course includes a largely subsidized cohort field trip abroad to learn about and apply conflict theory to a real world case. Students also begin researching and applying for internship opportunities that will further their academic and career interests. Advisors, the IPCR Program Coordinator and IPCR Director help guide students in this process to maximize options.

Students may pursue a Global Field Study course at the end of their first year. These courses vary from year to year, depend on student interest and faculty availability and usually have additional travel fees associated with them. Past Global Field Study courses have traveled to Ukraine, Rwanda, Costa Rica, Kosovo and Cyprus. One Global Field Study course may count towards the international experience. 

The final term is focused around the internship, capstone project and course, as well as professional development activities intended to aid students in career placement.

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. Related experience and achievements, either domestic or international, also are desirable. The program requests the following from applicants:

• A graduate application, including personal statements, to be completed online at www.arcadia.edu/gradapp.
• 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. Students with undergraduate majors in Biology and Environmental Education also are encouraged to apply. 
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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

The General Admissions Application Deadline is February 1st and rolling after the deadline until the class is full. 

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

2018-2019 Tuition

Full-time cohort track: $15,085 x 3 semesters.  $45,255 total program cost.

*Part-time IPCR students are charged $1260/credit

Fees

• Registration: $50 per semester
• Technology: $50 per semester
• Parking: $50 per semester or $100 per year (Fall and Spring) before 4 p.m. No charge after 4 p.m.

Additional Expenses

• Books and supplies: $1,000 (estimated)
• Room and Board: Off Campus
• Travel: Varies
• Ireland Trip: $495 (subsidized)

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.

Travel Purse

A $2500 travel purse is set-aside for every full-time IPCR student to use towards costs of the global experience requirement, which may include participation in Global Field Studies courses and/or an international internship as approved by the IPCR Director.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to assist qualified students in covering tuition and related expenses, as well as living costs.  Upon review for admission, students are automatically considered for merit scholarships and graduate assistantships based on their academic records upon applying for admission to the program.  Graduate students who have been accepted into a degree program and are enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester are eligible to apply for financial aid.  Please visit wwww.arcadia.edu/finaid for information regarding available aid options and visit www.arcadia.edu/gradfinaidapply to complete required forms online.

Federal Loan

Graduate students are eligible to borrow through the Federal Direct Stafford Loan and Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan programs provided they are taking at least 6 credits per semester (in the summer, 6 credits over all summer sessions combined satisfies this requirement). For more information, visit www.arcadia.edu/finaid.

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.

Requirements (minimum 36 credits)