The School of Peace and Conflict Studies evolved from the Center for Peaceful Change, which was established in 1971 as a “living memorial” to the students killed by the Ohio National Guard during a student protest against the Vietnam War on May 4, 1970.
The Center was created to be interdisciplinary in nature, and to do teaching, research and public service relative to peaceful change, with a teaching focus on learning from experience. In 1994, the name of the Center was changed to the Center for Applied Conflict Management, with a continued emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and applied skills. In 2017 the Center was transformed into the School of Peace and Conflict Studies. Today the School builds upon the legacy of its predecessors, regularly enrolling more than 1,000 students each year in courses that teach applied skills in conflict management and nonviolent change.
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION UPDATE FOR STUDENTS:
Effective Fall 2018, the name of our major changed from Applied Conflict Management to Peace and Conflict Studies. Starting in Fall 2019, the prefix for Peace and Conflict Studies courses will change from CACM to PACS. Some of the course names will also change to reference Peace and Conflict Studies rather than Applied Conflict Management.
2019 FALL CONFERENCE:
An International Conference on "Commemorating Violent Conflicts and Building Sustainable Peace: is being held at Kent State University to commemorate the the May 4, 1970 shooting of Kent State students by the Ohio National Guard. The conference will be held on Oct. 24-26, 2019 at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center.
Our Alumni Share Their Stories
Did You Know?
- The Center for Applied Conflict Management was part of the Department of Political Science from 1994 to 2017. The Center became the School of Peace and Conflict Studies with the College of Arts & Sciences, effective August 2017.
- The Washington Program in National Issues and the Columbus Program in Intergovernmental Issues fulfill CACM internship requirements.
- Students pursuing a graduate degree in Political Science can select the Conflict Analysis & Management track as their focus area.
Contact Us
Email: spcs@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-3143
Fax: 330-672-0668
Need help resolving conflict?
Find Conflict Resolution Services on campus.
The SPCS Listserv sends out periodic emails about jobs, internships, news and events related to conflict management and social change. Sign up to join the listerv.