BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution

#1-ranked Conflict Program in the US

#1 Among U.S. Universities

Regardless of where you live, the career you choose or the path you take in life, you will encounter the increasing interconnectedness of our local and global communities. Unfortunately, with this interconnectedness among diverse groups of people, we are also seeing more social challenges arise such as misunderstandings related to identity and to cultural, language, racial, historical, territorial and political differences. These misunderstandings, if left alone, increase the risk of tension, divisiveness and conflict.  Therefore, there is a rapidly growing need for better educated and trained leaders who understand how to work across and among different cultures and with unique and diverse groups of people.

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, formerly known as the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR), is the oldest and largest school in the world for peace, conflict resolution and leadership-oriented studies, and is ranked number one in the United States. The Carter School’s Conflict Analysis and Resolution (CAR) program places an emphasis on mentoring the next generation of scholars by focusing on skills development and practical activities both on and off campus, locally and globally. This program fully prepares students to become future leaders and changemakers able to lead, manage, transform and resolve difficult issues at all levels of society and in all environments. 

Likewise, the Conflict Analysis and Resolution Program at George Mason University’s Korea campus is the first of its kind in East Asia. It provides quality peace, conflict and leadership-oriented education opportunities to a diverse and international group of students from both inside and outside Asia. To do this, the CAR Program combines the best of various academic disciplines and philosophies of both the East and West, with a global perspective uniquely available in Songdo, South Korea, a city expressly created as an international education and business hub within two hours of all the major cities in East Asia.

Further enabled through the opening of the Peace and Conflicts Studies Center Asia (PACSC Asia) in 2019, students and scholars studying in the CAR Program in Korea are now able to gain hands-on global experience working with leading academics, business leaders, NGOs, and public and private organizations around the world. This experience enables them to conduct the cutting-edge research and practice that will further improve their skills and provide experience leading to successful and rewarding employment.

By completing part of the CAR Program at Mason Korea and part at Mason’s home campus in the United States near Washington D.C., students will be able to draw on the talents of many interdisciplinary professors who have decades of scholarly and world experience.

If you are interested in being ahead of your peers, learning ways to become a better leader, and finding rewarding careers in a variety of fields at unique places around the word, you have definitely come to the right place.

Degrees

Those who select the CAR Program have two unique degree paths to choose from.

a.     The Bachelor of Arts Degree leverages tools, theories and concepts from across the social science and humanities disciplines in order to provide theoretical knowledge and important interpersonal soft and qualitative skills. Students choosing this degree must demonstrate intermediate level proficiency in at least one foreign language before they graduate, which is necessary to help them understand and work with diverse populations. Graduates of this degree find rewarding careers in local, state and federal governments, academia, research institutions and foundations, social programs and private and public organizations dealing with peace and conflict issues.

b.     The Bachelor of Science Degree also leverages diverse tools, theories and concepts from across the social science and humanities disciplines. This degree focuses more on quantitative research methodologies without the need for foreign language capabilities. Graduates of this degree find rewarding careers in a vast number of career fields such as technology, local and international business, research and data analysis, consultancy and education.

Regardless of the degree path chosen, skilled Conflict Resolution and Resolution professors who are both scholars and practitioners, not only teach and mentor students, but also take them into the field both locally and around the world, bringing their expertise to the most difficult issues facing our society.

Careers

Regardless of the path chosen, all students who graduate with a Conflict Analysis and Resolution degree will be academically and professionally ahead of their peers and achieve successful careers through two different but complimentary career tracks. 

a.     “Specialist:” Graduates normally work in a vast variety of fields related to peace, conflict and social issues. Positions in these areas can be found in local organizations up to government and international nongovernmental organizations such as the United Nations.

b.     “Generalist:” Graduates work in an unlimited number of job fields around the world, as all jobs in business, science and industry are now looking for young professionals with the key conflict management, mediation, negotiation and resolution skills required to work as a team and lead companies.

The CAR Program is pivotal in preparing you for the high-impact future career you hope to enter, and clearly separates you from other job applicants.

Together, the Conflict Analysis and Resolution Program offered by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at Mason Korea and at Mason Fairfax are acting as a bridge for students to understand an increasingly complex and interconnected world, and are working to successfully and peacefully resolve issues that plague our global community. Due to the dedication of faculty and scholars, there is increasing hope for a brighter and more prosperous future led by the young students and scholars who graduate from this unique, dynamic and sought-after undergraduate program.

Opportunities

All students studying in the CAR Program have unique opportunities to:

  • Conduct independent research for credit through the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia  (PACSC Asia) and in conjunction with professors and outside scholars
  • Participate in field practice trips and courses at various locations around the world including Eastern Europe and in Asia
  • Learn about problem-solving workshops, mediation, negotiation and facilitation
  • Volunteer to work with and assist diverse stakeholders on issues important to the general public
  • Gain needed work experience through diverse internships with various businesses, government organizations, and NGOs such as the United Nations.