The Ph.D. program at the Kroc Institute empowers students to become outstanding scholars and teachers who contribute to a growing body of peacebuilding knowledge and practice with the goal of addressing violence and alleviating human suffering.
Peace studies Ph.D. students choose a partner discipline for research and course work: anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or theology. The peace studies curriculum is integrated with these traditional disciplines in the humanities and social sciences to create a unique framework of study for each student. Students also have access to extensive research opportunities at the Institute and across Notre Dame.
Upon graduation, students are fully trained and equipped for a wide variety of scholarly, teaching, and professional careers, including:
- Interdisciplinary academic positions;
- Positions requiring expertise in the peace and conflict subfields of anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, or theology; and
- Scholar-practitioner roles in intergovernmental, governmental, or nongovernmental organizations.
University of Notre Dame Information
Established in 1844, University of Notre Dame is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Notre Dame (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Indiana. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Higher Learning Commission, University of Notre Dame (ND) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 10,000-14,999 students) coeducational higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. University of Notre Dame (ND) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 175 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 20-30% making this US higher education organization a very selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, domestic or international, to be eligible for admission to a graduate program at the University of Notre Dame. It is also anticipated that applicants will have related training or research experience in the joint area to which they are applying. Previous graduate work is not required except in the case of Peace Studies and Theology for which a master’s degree in theology is required. Prospective students interested in a master’s degree in peace studies should explore the Master of Global Affairs in International Peace Studies program.
Offered Benefits
All graduate students admitted to the Ph.D. Program in Peace Studies are offered a full tuition scholarship, a generous stipend ( view a cost-of-living comparison here), and additional support for research travel, conference presentations, and other professional development. Detailed financial arrangements are included in the formal offer letter from the Graduate School.
Application Process
Go to University of Notre Dame on gradconnect.nd.edu to apply
All applicants must submit the Graduate School Application for Admission online. All required materials must be uploaded to the application; no paper materials will be accepted for consideration. A limited number of fee waivers are available to select applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Peace Studies. To request a fee waiver, please complete this form.
Required Documents:
The Graduate School Application for Admission requires the applicant to provide the following materials:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV);
- Statement of intent;
- Writing sample;
- Names and contact information for three recommenders;
- Unofficial transcripts from prior institutions or in-progress degrees;
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score – General Test required for all areas except Anthropology and Psychology (Fall 2023 cycle);
- TOEFLT or IELTS score for international applicants only.
The statement of intent (maximum 1,000 words) should describe your areas of interest and experience as explicitly as possible and also list the faculty with whom you wish to study. The statement will be considered both by the Kroc Institute Doctoral Admissions Committee and by a committee or faculty representative from the joint department. Please address both your interest in peace studies and in the discipline of the partner department in your statement.
The writing sample must be single-authored and should demonstrate your skills in writing, analysis, and peace research. It should represent your best sample of academic writing. If you send part of a longer work (for example, a senior or master’s thesis), please include an abstract of no more than 250 words describing the whole piece and its argument. Writing samples should be in English
Established in 1844, University of Notre Dame is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the large town of Notre Dame (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Indiana. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Higher Learning Commission, University of Notre Dame (ND) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 10,000-14,999 students) coeducational higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. University of Notre Dame (ND) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 175 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 20-30% making this US higher education organization a very selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.