Pre-International Peace and Conflict, 3+2 Program

About the Accelerated Program

• Highly selective program for academically talented students
• Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years
• Tracks in Peace and Conflict Resolution, in International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, in Global Studies, in Political Science, or in Law and Public Policy
• Opportunities to study abroad as an undergraduate and graduate student
• Problem-based learning and research models

This accelerated program integrates undergraduate and graduate training and provides comprehensive global learning opportunities. Arcadia’s undergraduate programs enrich the multidisciplinary perspectives inherent in the field of international peace and conflict resolution.

This accelerated program meets the needs of students who want to pursue accelerated training in IPCR, allowing for an intensive and rigorous four-and-a-half-year academic program that includes international experiences and practical fieldwork. This program allows talented students to pursue an accelerated option that is both more affordable and custom-designed to prepare them for a highly competitive job market.

About the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution

Students in the graduate program in International Peace and Conflict Resolution pursue a Master’s degree that consists of four terms of intensive academic training at our Glenside campus including an internship, and thesis 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 final year in the program. In the final year term, students also complete a thesis capstone project that brings together their academic interests, 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 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution and an International Field Study to Cyprus, and choose two electives. In the second term, students take four courses (2 required and 2 elective). Students also begin researching and applying for internship opportunities that will further their academic and career interests. The IPCR Associate Director and IPCR Director help guide students in this process to maximize options. The final year is focused around the internship, thesis capstone project and course, as well as professional development activities intended to aid students in career placement.

Visit the IPCR website for more information.

Admission Criteria

Students must meet the minimum criteria for the Honors Program in order to be conditionally admitted to the accelerated program as a first-year student. To be eligible for the 3+2 accelerated program, entering first-year students should score a combined 1870 or better on the SAT (old SAT), combined 1330 or better on the new SAT, or 28 on the ACT and be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class.  Students also may apply for entrance to the 3+2 program at the end of the first year.

For continuation on to the M.A. level in the fourth year, the following criteria must be met in year three:

• Completion of the appropriate required undergraduate courses in the major.
• The maintenance of a 3.5 GPA.
• Submission of the online IPCR application including essays and the recommendation of at least one faculty member in the Department of Historical & Political Studies by the application deadline.
• Completion of an IPCR Interview process
• Official acceptance by the IPCR Director and/or the IPCR admissions committee.

Program Structure

The specific course sequence for each track is available on request. Overall, a student will complete at least 120 hours toward the B.A. degree in Global Studies and at least 30 hours toward the M.A. degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution.

This is achievable in five years as some of the IPCR courses that students take in the fourth year will count toward the undergraduate degree. This allows accelerated students to begin their graduate studies in the fourth year, together with all the incoming IPCR graduate students, while completing remaining undergraduate credit requirements. Students complete their undergraduate senior capstone project during their third year as the fourth year is spent on graduate methods training, internship and preparation of the master’s Capstone.

Accelerated IPCR with Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Relations Diplomacy and Law, Global Studies, Political Science or Law and Public Policy

Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science, Law and Public Policy, Peace and Conflict Resolution or Global Studies (3+2 program)

Students who want to pursue the accelerated B.A. in International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science, Law and Public Policy, Peace and Conflict Resolution or Global Studies and the M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) will complete all degree requirements in five years.

In years one to three, students are expected to complete all Undergraduate Curriculum requirements as well as most requirements for their undergraduate major, including Senior Thesis, which is done in the third year. In year four, students complete the undergraduate major and begin coursework for the IPCR master’s program. This is made possible as a number of IPCR courses are cross-listed as undergraduate courses and will be counted as undergraduate credits. In the spring semester of the fifth year, students complete their IPCR requirements, including the master’s thesis.

Major Requirements for the International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science or Law and Public Policy Tracks

IRDL, PS and LPP majors must take PS 101 (American Politics), 150 (Comparative Politics), 241 (International Relations), 245 (Political Thought) or 330 (American Political Thought), PS 201 (Political Science Research Writing) and 490 and 491 (Political Science Senior Thesis Seminars). Additionally, they must take six electives, at least three of which must be at the 300 level.

Major Requirements for the Peace and Conflict Resolution Track

PCR majors must take PS 140 (Introduction to International Relations), IS 101 (Introduction to Global Studies), an additional approved 100 level course, PS 243 (Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution), PS 201 (Political Science Research Writing) and PS 490 and 491 (Political Science Senior Thesis Seminars). Additionally, they must take six electives, at least three of which must be at the 300 level.

Major Requirements for the Global Studies Track

The Global Studies major is highly flexible. It requires 12 courses in the major (typically 46-48 credits) plus the completion of the intermediate level (202-level) of a modern language other than English. In addition, Global Studies majors must study abroad, or engage in an approved immersive, global experience.

Students must take the following four required classes: Introduction to Global Studies (IS 101), Global Studies Research Writing (IS 201), and the Senior Seminar sequence. Students must take one class from each of the following disciplines to meet the Interdisciplinary Core requirement: Politics, Government and Law; History; and Anthropology. Students must take at least three courses with an IS designation to meet the Global Studies Core requirement. At least one of the IS Core classes must have a writing designation. Students must take two elective classes. At least three courses in the IS Core, the Interdisciplinary Core or the Electives must be taken at the 300 level. Appropriate courses taken abroad count toward the major.

Accelerated IPCR with Peace and Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science and Law and Public Policy

Master of Arts in International Peace and Conflict Resolution and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science and Law and Public Policy (3+ 2 program)

Students who want to pursue the accelerated B.A. in International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science, Law and Public Policy or Peace and Conflict Resolution and M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution will complete all degree requirements in four-and-a-half years.

In years one to three, students complete all Undergraduate Curriculum requirements as well as most of the requirements for the International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science, Law and Public Policy majors, including the Senior Thesis, which is done in the third year. In year four, students complete all requirements for the International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science, Law and Public Policy majors and begin coursework for the IPCR master’s program. This is made possible as a number of IPCR courses will be counted as undergraduate credits. In the fall semester of the fifth year, students complete their IPCR requirements, including the master’s Capstone.

Major Requirements for the International Relations, Diplomacy and Law, Political Science or Law and Public Policy Tracks

IRDL, PS and LPP majors must take PS 101 (American Politics), 150 (Comparative Politics), 241 (International Relations), 245 (Political Thought) or 330 (American Political Thought), PS 201 (Political Science Research Writing) and 490 and 491 (Political Science Senior Thesis Seminars). Additionally, they must take six electives, at least three of which must be at the 300 level. 

Major Requirements for the Peace and Conflict Resolution Track

PCR majors must take PS 140 (Introduction to International Relations), IS 101 (Introduction to Global Studies), an additional approved 100 level course, PS 243 (Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution), PS 201 (Political Science Research Writing) and PS 490 and 491 (Political Science Senior Thesis Seminars). Additionally, they must take six electives, at least three of which must be at the 300 level.