Peace Studies

The University of Notre Dame offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program in Peace Studies designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical perspectives necessary to address complex conflicts and promote social justice worldwide. This program emphasizes a deep understanding of the roots of violence, strategies for conflict resolution, and the principles of peaceful coexistence across diverse cultural and political contexts. Through a combination of coursework, practical experiences, and community engagement, students explore topics such as international peacebuilding, human rights, diplomacy, nonviolent social movements, and the role of religion and culture in peace processes. The curriculum is built upon a foundation of liberal arts education, integrating insights from political science, history, theology, anthropology, and law, fostering critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and ethical reflection. Students are encouraged to participate in internships, service projects, and study abroad programs that provide real-world applications of peace and conflict studies. Notre Dame's commitment to social justice and global service is reflected in its active partnerships with organizations dedicated to peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and humanitarian aid. Graduates of the Peace Studies program are prepared for careers in international organizations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community activism, as well as for advanced studies in related fields. The program promotes a commitment to ethical leadership, advocacy for marginalized groups, and the development of innovative approaches to creating more just and peaceful societies worldwide. Whether aspiring to be diplomats, policy analysts, peacebuilders, or scholars, students at Notre Dame gain the analytical tools, practical skills, and moral grounding essential for making a meaningful impact in complex conflict settings.

Each of the six partner departments (anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, theology) has specific requirements for earning a dual Ph.D., while the requirements in peace studies are similar for all doctoral students. Doctoral students typically:

• meet course requirements and pass a comprehensive exam in one partner department as well as in peace studies
• take a minimum of 6 required peace studies courses taught by Kroc Institute faculty as well as departmental courses with significant content relevant to peace studies
• study core peace studies literature and research design
• submit a peace studies article to a scholarly journal to be considered for publication
• submit at least one proposal to an external funding agency for doctoral research
• complete a teaching assistantship in "Introduction to Peace Studies"
• complete one or more research or teaching assistantships with Kroc Institute faculty engaged in scholarship related to the Institute's research themes, and
• conduct dissertation research and writing under the guidance of Kroc faculty and fellows

Foundational peace studies courses for the Ph.D. include:

• • International Peace Research: Origins, Methodologies, Results
  • Strategic Peacebuilding: Organizing the Field
  • Methods in Peace Research
  • Practice and Theory in Peacebuilding
  • Two electives in peace studies

Sample electives include (subject to change)

• • Communal and Transnational Conflict Resolution
  • Ethics, Law, and International Conflict
  • Gender and Human Development
  • Gender, Conflict, and Peace Studies
  • Globalization and Multinational Corporate Responsibility
  • International Political Economy
  • Islam and Muslim-Christian Dialogue
  • Modern Genocide
  • Nonviolent Social Change
  • Peacebuilding and Public Policy
  • Politics of Reconciliation
  • Social Movements in Global Perspective
  • Trauma and Peacebuilding
  • Theories of Civil War and Civil Conflict
  • Universal Protection of Human Rights
  • Women's Human Rights

For information on departmental offerings, see the websites for the departments of anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or theology.

PRES (Peace Research and Education Seminar)

All Ph.D. students and Kroc faculty members attend this monthly seminar, during which a visiting scholar, faculty member or graduate student presents and receives feedback on research in progress. Ph.D. students often serve as formal discussants and are active participants in these multidisciplinary conversations.

Recent PRES seminar topics include: 

• "Transnational Feminist Praxis in the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in the Aftermath of the Second World War"
• "This is Our Law! Child Rights and Power in Northern Sierra Leone"
• "The Challenges of Quality Peace: Reflections on Peter Wallensteen's Recent Book"
• "Following Sister Cecilia in Pabbo: Anthropological Theology as Apprenticeship to the Other"
• "Armed with Good Intentions: Explaining Arms Embargo Compliance"
• "Defining Good Governance and Its Relation to Prevention of Armed Conflict"
• "Gender Roles Amidst Political, Social, Economic, and Religious Change: Bangladesh and Senegal as Cases"
• “Daily Interactions, Indignity, and the Locus of Conflict in Refugee Camps: A View from Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya”
• "Practicing Conversation: Feminist Research with Women Activists on the Israeli and Palestinian Religious Right."
• “Systematic Peace: CPA Implementation and Long-Term Conflict Reduction”
• “Drawing on Beauty: Aesthetics, Authority and International Law"
• “Interpreting Islam: US Relations with Iraq and Indonesia, 1956-1968” 

Only one application is required to be admitted to one of the 6 joint Ph.D. programs in peace studies. However, you MAY apply simultaneously for admission to one of the peace studies Ph.D. programs and to a separate doctoral program of one of the six departments (anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or theology). If you choose to do this, you must submit TWO complete applications ­ — one for each program. In this case, all application materials must be submitted separately with each application; documents cannot be shared. You must submit transcripts, GRE scores, recommenders, curriculum vitae, new statement of intent and writing sample for each Ph.D. application you submit.

• University of Notre Dame Graduate School application
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Statement of Intent
• Writing sample
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Transcripts
• Letter of Verification of English Proficiency (for non-native speakers of English only)
• TOEFL or IELTS (for non-native speakers of English only). The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) institution code for Notre Dame is 1841. A department code is not necessary, but you can use 5101 if needed. Any score below 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based) is questionableThe IELTS (International English Language Testing System) does not have or use institution codes. The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.0. 
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• Application fee

Scholarships

The University offers three types of financial support to graduate students: tuition scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. 

The University of Notre Dame offers a comprehensive program in Peace Studies designed to prepare students for careers dedicated to conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and social justice. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, integrating perspectives from political science, history, theology, sociology, and international relations to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of peace and conflict dynamics worldwide. Students engaging in Peace Studies at Notre Dame have the opportunity to participate in a variety of experiential learning activities, including internships with NGOs, government agencies, and international organizations, as well as study abroad programs focused on conflict zones and peace initiatives. The curriculum highlights critical issues such as human rights, social justice, humanitarian intervention, disarmament, and conflict transformation. Notre Dame's commitment to fostering a global outlook is reflected in its partnerships and exchanges with institutions around the world, allowing students to gain firsthand experience in diverse cultural settings. Faculty members are experts in their fields, providing mentorship and research guidance that enables students to develop practical skills and theoretical knowledge essential for effective peacebuilding. The program encourages interdisciplinary research, community engagement, and advocacy, aiming to produce graduates who are capable of contributing meaningfully to building sustainable peace in complex environments. Additionally, Notre Dame offers related minors and certificates, such as the Peace Studies Minor, to complement students’ primary majors and enhance their qualifications for careers in diplomacy, international development, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies. Overall, the Peace Studies program at Notre Dame aims to cultivate leaders committed to advancing justice and peace in global and domestic contexts through rigorous academic study, active community participation, and experiential learning.