International Peace Studies
The International Peace Studies major prepares students to be skilled practitioners and changemakers working to prevent violence and build just, inclusive, and sustainable peace. The International Peace Studies major is guided by two principles:
- Strategic peacebuilding recognizes that violence operates at many levels – interpersonal, social, cultural and structural – and that peace efforts often need to address multiple levels at once.
- Reflective scholar-practitioners continually learn from real-world experience and apply those insights to future work.
This major is an ongoing dialogue between theory and practice. You’ll explore foundational peace studies theories in the classroom while testing and refining those ideas in real-world contexts, gaining the knowledge and practical skills to lead as a peacebuilder or researcher in today’s complex global environment. The curriculum is rigorously interdisciplinary and pushes students to move beyond simplistic solutions to violence, and toward conflict transformation.
Applications for the Master of Global Affairs program are now open for a Fall 2027 start. Apply by December 15, 2026.
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Career Paths
Master of Global Affairs graduates who major in international peace studies leave with the skills, connections and field experience to lead in peacebuilding, human rights, development and international policy sectors. Recent alumni have gone on to roles such as:
- Human Rights Officer, United Nations Human Rights (OHCHR), Switzerland
- Commissioner, Reparations Commission of the Gambia
- Researcher, Center for Civilians in Conflict, Ukraine
- Director of Advocacy and Mobilization, Popular Democracy, United States
- Director, Civic Engagement and Government International Program, Ford Foundation, Mexico
The International Peace Studies major is the evolution of a long-standing MA in International Peace Studies originally administered by the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. This storied history has cultivated a premier global network of 600+ scholar-practitioners working across 100+ countries. Today, alumni of both the original and current programs are now part of a unified Keough School community, connecting across cohorts, majors, and professional pathways.
Explore the Curriculum
Core Courses
12 credit hours
All master of global affairs students complete the following foundational courses:
- Integral Human Development (3 credits | Semester 1)
- Economics of Growth and Development (3 credits | Semester 2)
- One approved Research Methods course (3 credits)
- One approved Global Politics course (3 credits)
Major Courses
12 credit hours
Along with the core requirements, MGA students majoring in international peace studies complete the following courses:
- Foundations of Peace Studies (3 credits | Semester 1)
- Developing a Peacebuilding Practice (3 credits | Semester 1)
- Strategic Peacebuilding (3 credits | Semester 2)
- Capstone Seminar (3 credits | Semester 4)
Elective Courses
13 credit hours
Where do you want to make an impact? With direction from faculty and the director of your chosen major, you will select elective courses that help you craft an academic experience tailored to your unique career goals. Select from a rich array of classes offered both at the Keough School and across the University of Notre Dame.
Field Experience: Peace Internship
9 credit hours
You’ll spend six months embedded with a leading peace and justice organization, translating classroom insights into meaningful, context-sensitive practice. Sites are located around the world and offer real-world experience in conflict transformation, policy advocacy and peacebuilding strategy.
Past partners include:
- World Bank (Washington, D.C. & Colombia)
- Catholic Relief Services (Philippines, Gambia, U.S.)
- Life and Peace Institute (Kenya)
- ANERA (Lebanon)
- International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Switzerland)
- Fundación Redprodepaz (Colombia)
This major builds on the vision of Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh and Joan B. Kroc, co-founders of the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, who funded what is now the international peace studies major through the MGA program.
