With a professional degree, students in the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program have unique opportunities for experiential learning. The University of Waterloo offers resources for professional development, such as the Centre for Career Development or the Writing and Communication Centre. In addition, students often take advantage of an internship placement and/or conflict resolution training.
All graduate students at UWaterloo may also choose to complete the Professional Skills Foundations. It is a professional skills credential designed to offer master's and doctoral students exposure and experience in:
- Career preparation
- Communication
- Leadership
- And personal effectiveness
Internships
You will have the option of integrating applied learning into graduate studies by completing an internship placement that counts toward your degree requirements. Internships may involve work with a civil society organization, a research agency, or some other entity that works on issues related to peace and conflict studies. The internship is designed to help you examine classroom theory through real-life situations, expand your practical skills and explore career possibilities.
In addition to the hands-on experience the internship will provide, you will complete an academic paper related to the interning organization. This will be under the supervision of a PACS faculty member and is meant to reflect on how your experience has changed your approach to peace and conflict studies.
Internships will typically be completed in the third term for full-time students, and will not be shorter than three months in length.
Conflict Resolution Skills Workshops
The Conflict Management Certificate Program offers skills-based conflict management training for practitioners, professionals, and students. Students in the MPACS program may count workshops toward their degree requirements by completing them in conjunction with academic study through the course PACS 626 Conflict Resolution Skills Training.
See the Conflict Management and Mediation Certificate webpage for a full list and descriptions of workshops. Popular workshops for MPACS students include:
