With a professional degree, students in the Master of Peace and Conflict Studies (MPACS) program have unique opportunities for experiential learning. In addition to professional development training for graduate students offered by the University of Waterloo ― through resources such as the Centre for Career Action and the Writing and Communication Centre ― students often take advantage of an internship placement and/or conflict resolution skills training.
All graduate students at UWaterloo may also choose to complete Professional Skills Foundations, a professional skills credential designed to offer master's and doctoral students broad exposure to and experience in four key skill areas: 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 government or business entity that works on issues related to peace and conflict studies in a local, national, or international setting. The internship is designed to help you examine classroom theory in light of real life situations, expand your practical skills, and explore career possibilities related to their field.
In addition to the hands-on experience the internship will provide, under supervision of a PACS faculty member, you will complete a significant academic paper related to the topic or theme of the interning organization, as well as a reflective paper outlining your internship experience, the lessons learned, and the impact this has on their approach to peace and conflict studies practices.
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 workshops 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:
