Certificate Information

Overview

PACS offers an 18-credit hour undergraduate Certificate in Peace, Conflict, and Security. The PACS Certificate is an individually tailored program of study that provides students with 1) skills to more constructively handle conflict in family, workplace, community, and international settings, 2) a better understanding of public policy controversies and international affairs, and 3) a foundation from which to pursue peace, conflict, and security related careers.

Students who participate in the PACS Certificate program are concerned about the destructive conflicts which create unnecessary violence, suffering, and injustice in our world. This program is dedicated to providing concepts and tools that can help students to successfully engage the potential conflicts they will encounter in their personal and professional life. It will connect them with other students who share these commitments, and who seek to build strong peacemaking communities on the CU Boulder campus, and in the world.

Requirements
Registration
Courses

Sample Plans of Study for the PACS Certificate

Students interested in international relations typically complete the certificate with the following courses:

  • Required Intro Course - PACS 2500: Intro to Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies.
  • Required PACS Conflict Resolution Course - PACS 3850: International Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
  • PACS Elective - PACS 3800: Security Studies or PSCI 3123: War, Peace, and Strategic Defense
  • Required Capstone - PACS 4500: Senior Seminar: AVÃûʪ in Conflict Contexts
  • Outside Elective 1 - IAFS 1000: Intro to International Affairs
  • Outside Elective 2 - PSCI 2012: Intro to Comparative Politics

Please note this is just an example plan. Students are free to tailor their plans according to their interests and the guidelines provided on the Requirements page.

Students interested in climate change and environmental issues typically complete the certificate with the following courses:

  • Required Intro Course - PACS 2500: Intro to Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies.
  • Required PACS Conflict Resolution Course - PACS 3860: Environmental Conflict Resolution
  • PACS Elective - PACS 3700: Communication and Conflict Management
  • Required Capstone - PACS 4000: Special Topics - Mediation Skills
  • Outside Elective 1 - EBIO 2040: Principles of Ecology
  • Outside Elective 2 - ENVS 1000: Intro to Environmental Studies

Please note this is just an example plan. Students are free to tailor their plans according to their interests and the guidelines provided on the Requirements page.

Students interested in human resources, community relations, or social work typically complete the certificate with the following courses:

  • Required Intro Course - PACS 2500: Intro to Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies.
  • Required PACS Conflict Resolution Course - PACS 3700: Communication and Conflict Management
  • PACS Elective - PACS 4000: Special Topics - Mediation Skills
  • Required Capstone - PACS 4100: Managing Organizational Conflict
  • Outside Elective 1 - PSYC 2606: Social Psychology
  • Outside Elective 2 - PSYC 3303: Abnormal Psychology

Please note this is just an example plan. Students are free to tailor their plans according to their interests and the guidelines provided on the Requirements page.

"PACS classes have completely transformed how I view and deal with conflict and those skills will apply to both my personal and work life."

PACS Student 2023 Exit Survey

PACS Detailed Certificate Flyer

PACS cu boulder info