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Studies & Degrees in Peace and Justice Studies

Peace and justice studies examines why violence and injustice occur and how they can be reduced. Wellesley College describes its programme as a combination of conflict analysis with the study of strategies for promoting peace and justice, looking at past and present efforts to reduce violence, end conflict, build peace and achieve justice. The field is interdisciplinary: it draws on political science, sociology, history, philosophy, religious studies, law and economics.

Typical themes are human rights, international and internal conflict and peacemaking, grassroots organising, environmental justice and inequalities of race, class and gender. Fordham University groups its courses into areas such as war, terrorism and violence; human rights and humanitarianism; peace and social justice movements; and theories of negotiation and conflict resolution. Practical experience is part of many programmes. Wellesley expects students to apply theory through internships, externships and field study, and Fordham's minor has an experiential learning requirement.

Qualifications and levels

  • Major within a bachelor's degree. In the United States the subject can be the main field (major) of a liberal arts bachelor's degree. Wellesley College offers a major and a minor in peace and justice studies; the major involves coursework, research and co-curricular activities.
  • Minors and certificates. More often the subject is a minor or certificate taken next to another major. Fordham University offers a minor in Peace and Justice Studies in a programme founded in 1986. At Florida Atlantic University, the Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights, launched in 2014, grew out of a Peace Studies Program founded in 1999 and lists a minor and a certificate. Oregon State University lists Peace Studies (PAX) courses in its catalogue, among them a three-credit course on the study of peace and the causes of conflict.
  • Master's degrees and doctorates. At graduate level the field usually appears as peace and conflict or peace and security studies. The Center for Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University offers an MA in Peace and Security Studies, an Executive MA in Managing Peace and Security in Africa, a Joint MA in Global Studies and a PhD programme in Peace and Security Studies. Florida Atlantic University lists a PhD fellowship in Peace Studies.
  • Spain. The Instituto de la Paz y los Conflictos of the Universidad de Granada lists an inter-university Máster en Cultura de Paz, Conflictos, Educación y Derechos Humanos, offered jointly with units of the universities of Córdoba, Málaga and Cádiz. It also lists doctoral training programmes in peace and conflict management with the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa in Mexico and the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 12 active schools for peace and justice studies. Nine are in the United States; Ethiopia, the United Kingdom and Spain have one each. The schools in the United States include Wellesley College, Fordham University, New York University, Florida Atlantic University, Oregon State University, Regis University, Fairfield University, the University of Scranton and St. Ambrose University. Several of them are Jesuit or other Catholic universities, where the subject is linked to a tradition of social justice teaching. The other three schools are Lancaster University in the United Kingdom, Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and ADEIT, the university-business foundation of the Universitat de València. The Universidad de Granada is named above from its own website and is not in the SpainExchange list for this subject.

Programmes in the United States and the United Kingdom are taught in English. A minor or certificate is not a degree on its own, so ask the school which qualification you receive and what recognition it has in your country.

Careers

The subject does not lead to one regulated profession. Graduates typically work in non-governmental and humanitarian organisations, human rights and advocacy groups, mediation and community services, international organisations, education and public administration. Many combine it with another major or continue with a professional qualification, for example in law, social work, teaching or international relations. The sources used for this page give no employment figures for the subject.

Frequently asked questions

Is peace and justice studies a full degree?

It depends on the school. Wellesley College offers it as a major and as a minor. Fordham University offers it as a minor, and Florida Atlantic University lists a minor and a certificate, both taken alongside another main subject.

What is the difference between peace studies and criminal justice?

Peace and justice studies deals with conflict, violence, human rights and social justice in a broad sense. Criminal justice is a different subject that trains for work in policing, courts and corrections.

Can I study the subject at postgraduate level?

Yes. Addis Ababa University offers an MA and a PhD programme in Peace and Security Studies, and the Universidad de Granada lists an inter-university master's in culture of peace, conflicts, education and human rights. Ask each university about admission requirements and the recognition of the qualification.