Undergraduate Certificate in Peace Studies
Equivalent to a minor at the University of Hawaiʻi, the Undergraduate Certificate in Peace Studies (UCPS) broadens students’ perspectives and strengthens critical thinking on issues of war and peace, justice and human rights, and governance. The Certificate exposes students to the fundamentals of peace and conflict resolution; skills that are highly valued by employers in a wide range of professional fields, making it an excellent complement to many popular majors.
Learn more about the Matsunaga Institute for Peace.
What was your fondest memory at the Matsunaga Institute?
Interning (PACE 495 “Practicum”) at the Hawai‘i Innocence Project. The organization fights for wrongfully convicted prisoners and offers free legal aid. Having the opportunity to find an internship through the Matsunaga Institute enabled me to do something I am interested in while also creating new connections in the legal world. All of the Peace Studies (PACE) courses I have taken at UH Mānoa have had wonderful instructors. I am very grateful I was able to be a part of such an important program.
Sage Gray, 2020
BA in Sociology; Undergraduate Certificate in Peace Studies
Additional Details
Students may choose to complete the certificate by taking in-person courses or a mix of in-person and online courses.
Students are also able to complete the certificate fully online. The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the fully online Peace Studies 5-Course Certificate is approved by WASC.
The certificate requires the completion of at least 5 courses (15 credits).
Core Courses (9 credits)
- PACE 310: Survey of Peace and Conflict Studies *
- PACE 495: Practicum and Internship (or faculty-approved substitute) *
- And select one of the following core skills courses:
- PACE 447: Introduction to Mediation *; or
- PACE 429: Negotiation *
Elective Courses (6 credits)
This is a guide and not an exhaustive list.
- PACE 316: Environmental Governance
- PACE 345/ANTH 345: Aggression, War, and Peace
- PACE 373/POLS 396: Nonviolent Political Alternatives
- PACE 380/COM 380: Media Communications Conflict
- PACE 387/PHIL 387: The Meaning of War
- PACE 399: Directed Reading
- PACE 407/ASAN 407: Peace Processes in Philippines and Hawai`i
- PACE 410: History of Peace Movements
- PACE 412: Gandhi, King, and Nonviolence
- PACE 420: Introduction to Human Rights
- PACE 430: Leadership for Social Change
- PACE 436/GEO 436: Geography of Peace and War
- PACE 468: Introduction to Facilitating Organizational Change
- PACE 477: Culture and Conflict Resolution
- PACE 478: International Law and Disputes
- PACE 479: ‘Ike Kūpuna: Introduction to Indigenous Frameworks for Peace Building
- PACE 480: Managing Human Conflict
- PACE 485: Topics in Peace and Conflict Resolution
- COM 340: Intercultural Communication
- COMG 455: Conflict Management
- ECON 332/SUST 332: Economics of Global Climate Change
- ECON 414: Global Economic Crisis and Recovery
- GEO 435: Political Geography of Oceans
- HDFS 350: Leadership and Group Process
- HRM 463: Negotiation and Workplace Dispute Resolution
- POLS 315: Global Politics/International Relations
- POLS 316: International Relations
- POLS 319: International Organization
- POLS 339/WGSS 439: Feminist Theory
Declaring the Undergraduate Certificate in Peace Studies is a two-step process:
Step 1
Contact the Matsunaga Institute for Peace (uhip@hawaii.edu) to meet with an advisor and obtain the UCPS Tracking Sheet.
Step 2
Complete Office of the Registrar Declare/Update an Undergraduate Major/Minor/Certificate form (login required).
In collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) program, the Matsunaga Institute offers a flexible, student-designed Bachelors in Peace and Conflict Resolution. The program’s core includes three courses that give students basic skills and knowledge in peacebuilding, as well as the opportunity to practice conflict resolution. Students are then free to design an academic program that aligns with their interests, needs, and goals. Students work closely with faculty advisors to develop a coherent, multidisciplinary course of study. Students have the flexibility to concentrate on a specific area of interest or to take a broader approach to peace and conflict studies.