University of North Carolina Center for Global Initiatives

This Certificate is available to all currently enrolled UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students and may be awarded at either the masters or doctoral level. The Certificate is issued to students upon meeting all requirements and is noted on their official transcript.

Requirements

1. Take five approved courses on topics related to international peace and conflict resolution.  At least two of the five courses must be taken outside the student’s home department. All courses should relate to at least two of the following thematic areas: Economic Development/Sustainable Development; Politics & Governance; Culture/Identity/Nationalism/Human Rights; and Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution;
2. Submit a thesis, dissertation, or major seminar paper on a topic related to international peace and conflict resolution.  Submitted papers may be selected for posting as part of the Center for Global Initiatives’ online Carolina Papers series.
3. Conduct an independent research project involving at least 80 hours of practical service with a Center for Global Initiatives approved volunteer organization that works to promote peace, social justice, sustainable development and/or conflict resolution. This project must result in a 5 to 10-page critical analysis of how the organization deals with peace and conflict resolution.
4. Participate in the monthly events and the annual spring conference sponsored by the Duke-UNC Rotary Center for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.

Process

Graduate students interested in pursuing the Certificate are responsible for constructing their own course plan and making all arrangements associated with the independent research project. Students must:

1. Design a course plan in consultation with the Program Coordinator.  Course plans must demonstrate thematic integrity and coherence. Independent Study and language courses do not count toward the course requirements.
2. Prior to initiation of the independent research project, the student must submit a written statement of intent to the Center for Global Initiatives for approval in which the relevance and goals of the project are clearly delineated. An official letter of affiliation from the proposed organization is also required.
3. Following the practical service period, the student must submit to the Center for Global Initiatives and to the organization a 5 to 10-page critical analysis of the project and its relation to an issue of international peace and conflict resolution.
4. Submit the major research paper to the Center for Global Initiatives.
5. Submit all materials to the Center for Global Initiatives prior to the student’s graduation date.

For more information, contact Susan Carroll.