Ethnic and Area Studies
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Peace and Conflict Studies Major in Pennsylvania
Do you want to understand and resolve conflict in the world? Are you interested in being a mediator for peaceful outcomes between individuals and groups? A bachelor's degree in peace and conflict studies from Messiah University, one of the top Christian universities in the U.S., may be right for you.
Study Peace and Conflict Studies at a Christian University
As a peace and conflict studies major at Messiah University, you'll learn about the nature of conflict and the Christian foundations for peacemaking and reconciliation. As you learn about the relationship of justice to peacemaking, you'll also become actively involved in nonviolent conflict mediation and reconciliation through an internship or practicum.
The interdepartmental peace and conflict studies major is structured to allow you to pursue electives, a minor or a double major. Off-campus study opportunities include: Uganda, Bosnia, Croatia and many others.
Integrating academic and experiential learning into a lifelong vocation, you'll be prepared to successfully pursue conflict transformation in graduate school, the workplace, or through ministry and service opportunities. Learn more about PACS faculty, alumni and student opportunities.
As a peace and conflict studies major or minor at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Have the opportunity to be invited to sit on the board of the Mennonite Central Committee—East Coast, a major international relief, development and peacemaking organization.
- Customize your degree by selecting from electives in biblical and religious studies, history, sociology/anthropology and criminal justice.
- Add a double major in the area of your choosing.
- Experience a dynamic, co-curricular program that includes field trips, student conferences and organizations, and service projects such as helping refugee families.
- Learn skills in mediation, communication and social analysis in order to engage in conflict transformation in personal, group, organizational and political settings.
- Gain hands-on experience using conflict mediation in an internship or practicum which allows you to develop your skills in a specific area of interest.
- Experience another country for a semester to understand peacemaking and reconciliation from the perspective of a different culture.
- Engage in research, scholarship and practical action related to conflict transformation and peace and conflict studies.
- Immerse yourself in the senior seminar which integrates disciplinary and experiential learning to enable you to pursue peace and conflict transformation as a vocational calling.
- Prepare for graduate programs in conflict transformation.
As a graduate of the peace and conflict studies program, you will be equipped to secure positions such as:
- Mediator
- Positions in areas such as politics, NGOs, education and law
- Positions in international development
- Positions in human services and policy
For more information on career planning for the peace and conflict studies program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of peace and conflict studies internships through organizations such as:
- Amnesty International
- World Relief
- Peace Bridges International
- Veterans of Hope
- The Friends Committee on National Legislations
You can complete internships locally through Messiah's Internship Center in many different types of organizations depending on student interests, as well as internationally through study abroad programs or the Agape Center for Service and Learning.
Programs related to Peace and Conflict Studies
In the Peace and Conflict Studies program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Peace and Conflict Studies:
Peace and Conflict Studies (B.A.)
Peace and Conflict Studies Minor
Peace and Conflict Studies careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Peace and Conflict Studies program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.