There are peaceful ways to end conflicts. Become the light.
Turn your empathy into action. Today’s turbulent times call for people who understand systems of violence and conflict, and who are prepared to build peace with justice.
As a student in the Faculty of Arts, you’ll bring a unique perspective and set of skills to peace and conflict studies. Your creativity, critical thinking, and compassion can help contribute to finding innovative solutions to the challenges of peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Choose courses from a variety of subjects to tailor your program towards your own areas of curiosity. You’ll build your community through small classes and engaged professors.
Explore the theory and practice of conflict resolution, human rights, and international development. Then get some first-hand experience through paid co-op work terms or a Peace and Conflict Studies internship.
By graduation, you’ll understand the factors that drive conflict and violence and know how conflict zones can move toward becoming healthy societies where communities and individual people flourish.
Faculty:
Faculty of Arts
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies
Available as a co-op program?
Yes
Available as a regular program?
Yes
Available as a minor?
Yes
Enrich your education. Connect with other students and professors who share your passion by joining the Peace and Conflict Studies Living Learning Community at Conrad Grebel University College, located on Waterloo’s main campus.
Experience transformational learning. Pursue an internship and take classes with specialists in peacebuilding who will share both their academic and practical expertise.
Co-op = relevant paid work experience
Waterloo's co-op program, the largest in North America, is an amazing way to explore potential careers, learn to interview for jobs, graduate with up to two years of valuable experience — and make money!
Sample co-op job titles
- Research & marketing assistant
- Junior project analyst in enterprise strategic initiatives
- Program coordinator
- Workplace campaign coordinator
- Communications assistant
- Project coordinator
Co-op work-study sequence
Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.
If you choose to do Peace and Conflict Studies through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be halfway through second year (January to April 2027).
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Third | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fourth | Study | Co-op | Co-op |
| Fifth | Study | Study | - |
or after second year (which can be May to August 2027), if you choose Honours Arts
| Year | September to December (Fall) | January to April (Winter) | May to August (Spring) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Study | Study | Off |
| Second | Study | Study | Co-op |
| Third | Study | Co-op | Study |
| Fourth | Co-op | Study | Co-op |
| Fifth | Co-op | Study | - |
Admission requirements
Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Peace and Conflict Studies as your major at the end of first year.
Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Any Grade 12 U English (minimum final grade of at least 70%)
Admission average: Low 80s (co-op and regular)
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.
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