2016-05-03

MA in Conflict Transformation - Center for Justice & Peacebuilding

MA in Conflict Transformation - Center for Justice & Peacebuilding

MA in Conflict Transformation

The master’s program in conflict transformation prepares students to creatively work for long-term sustained, structural change, whether in an organization or community or on a large-scale level. The program is practice-oriented; faculty come from the field and the student body is made up of peacebuilding practitioners from around the world.
Students may choose to focus their studies on restorative justice; psychosocial trauma; strategic peacebuilding; community development; or organizational leadership. Students may also choose to create a unique specialization. Students engage in local, mentored practice throughout the program; with faculty and staff support, students work in the local community to develop their skills in concrete ways while addressing key justice issues in the Shenandoah Valley. All students are encouraged to develop a portfolio of practice highlighting skills, research and publications.
“CJP’s greatest strength may be that its professors are seasoned reflective practitioners: they have clearly done their homework and their fieldwork. And they teach on their toes with an agility that comes only from enacting their subject matter.” –Jonathan McRay, M.A., 2013
Learn more:
On this page:
Preparing reflective practitioners
  • Nurturing a diverse learning community that values mutuality
  • Offering a practice-based curriculum
  • Encouraging nonviolent and restorative responses to conflict
  • Fostering reflective, value-based practice and critical self-reflection
  • Furthering the lifelong process of strengthening and acquiring the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values needed for peacebuilding
  • Sustaining a long-term commitment to justice and peace
The Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation is awarded upon successful completion of 45 semester hours. This includes a 15 credit required core, a fall or spring practitioner skills assessment course, courses taken towards a specialization, and the practicum. Students work with a faculty advisor to establish a course of study that will meet that student’s vocational goals. When pursued full time, the program can be completed in two years; limited-residency students normally finish in three to five years. All students are required to spend at least one spring semester (January-April) on campus.
To graduate, the student must meet all course and practicum requirements, earn a minimum GPA of 3.00 for the Master of Arts or a minimum GPA of 2.75 for the Graduate Certificate program, master program assessment criteria for competency, and obtain formal approval of the faculty for graduation.
Research methods (Choose at least one):
Practitioner skills courses (Choose at least one):
Practicum (6-9 credit hours)
Each student is encouraged to develop a specialization within their degree that is aligned with their vocational goals. Students will work with their advisor to assess their interests and goals and will plan their course of study to develop their specialization. A specialization will typically be rooted in two or three thematic courses, complemented by research and skills classes particularly relevant to that area of practice. Each student will be encouraged to create a portfolio of projects that build and demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
Why we encourage students to design a specialization
In the past, we offered concentrations in restorative justice, in trauma healing, in organizations leadership, in development, and in whole-of-system change through strategic peacebuilding. Many students felt constrained by these concentrations and we have observed that many peacebuilding leaders who have the greatest influence typically integrate two or more areas of practice. So, we removed the designated concentrations and have started guiding students in the creation of a specialization that provides the best platform for their work in the world.
In recent years, students have combined:
  • Restorative justice with psychosocial trauma healing and resilience
  • Research, monitoring and evaluation with strategic peacebuilding
  • Arts-based practices with psychosocial trauma healing and resilience
  • Restorative justice with organizational development and leadership
Faculty members and the Practice Director work with each student to identify locations for their work such as countries in a war-to-peace transition, inside organizations, the school system, the criminal justice system, or community organizing. Student specializations are also used when advising students regarding their practicum placement.
A well-designed specialization combined with a rich practicum experience provides the best platform for making the school-to-work transition. Our goal is for each student to graduate with a strong resume, multiple skills, and a vision for changing the world that is clear and actionable.
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