Peacebuilding Fellows

Get out of the classroom and into the real world through this semester-long fellows program.

Fellows practice problem-solving and cohort-building activities at Mason's The EDGE.

Fellows practice problem-solving and cohort-building activities at Mason's The EDGE.

The Peacebuilding Fellows program is an academic program for selected students interested in gaining hands-on experience and understanding of communities that are struggling to live peacefully together. Fellows have the opportunity to step outside the normal academic schedule, engage with Carter School faculty, and expand learning through impactful co-curricular experiences.

"The Peacebuilding Fellows program forced me out of the classroom learning bubble and toward real world experience."

Spring 2015 Fellow

Program Benefits

  • Field experience that lets you immediately apply what you're learning and offers insight into a career path

  • Active learning and discussion-based classes with a small group of students

  • Networking opportunities through events with Carter School graduate students and faculty

  • The chance to meet practitioners, researchers, and professionals working as peacebuilders

  • Assistance with professional development

Meet with a Carter School academic advisor to find out how to apply your participation in the Peacebuilding Fellows semester toward a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Peacebuilding Fellows cohorts are selected each fall to complete coursework during the spring semester.

Students enroll in academic courses focusing on conflict theories and techniques, conflict resolution practice, and community engagement. 

S-CAR students with Capitol building in the background

Spring 2017 fellows participated in Aspen Institute’s symposium on the State of Race in America which featured panelists who are leaders in media, academia, and government.

Courses

Gain Field Experience and be part of the Peacebuilding Fellows Seminar

This cohort experience will push students academically, provide opportunity to connect theory with practice, and hone job-ready skills. Fellows will enroll in CONF 375 and CONF 370, courses that provide opportunity to develop professional skills and fulfill the field experience requirement.

Our goal is that fellows have field experience opportunities that allow them to be part of meaningful work, to network with practitioners in their area of interest, to draw connections between their coursework and the workplace, and to bring real world problems back to classroom discussions.

CONF 435 — Building Peace in Divided Societies

A major challenge to peacebuilding efforts domestically and globally are the boundaries that communities believe separates themselves from others. The boundaries have ethnic, racial, religious or cultural roots, often with long histories of division and violence. This class will look at case studies and strategies from around the globe of peacebuilding in complex communities.

Selective Options

CONF 250 Narratives of Conflict

CONF 302 Culture, Identity and Conflict

CONF 325 Dialogue & Difference

CONF 326 Negotiation

CONF 330 Community, Group, and Organizational Conflict Analysis & Resolution

CONF 399 Democracy & Development

CONF 499 Research

 

"My favorite thing about the fellowship was being part of a small, tight-knit cohort."

Spring 2016 Fellow

Apply

Students of all majors can apply to be Peacebuilding Fellows, although we strongly recommend that you complete at least one CONF course as a prerequisite.

To apply, you must:

  • Complete at least 45 college credits by the start of your program.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
  • Submit short answers to the four questions that follow (200 words/each maximum). This can be submitted via email to ugradcar@gmu.edu with the subject line peacebuilding fellows application.

    1. Why are you interested in the Peacebuilding Fellows Program? What do you hope to gain from the experience?

    2. What unique qualities, experience, or strengths would you bring to the Fellowship?

    3. One of the elements of the Fellowship fulfills your field experience requirement. What type of work are you interested in pursuing? What are some current problems or issues you find especially compelling and important - problems you hope to tackle through work experiences?

    4. What is your education and work history? What are your accomplishments or honors that you would like for us to know about?  (You may submit a 1 page resume in place of answering this question.)

For more information, contact a Carter School academic advisor.

Applications due by October 15th for priority consideration. 

Rolling admissions will continue through December 15th.