Making the world a more just and peaceful place takes perceptive, empathetic, creative, and courageous leaders—people like you.

The Peace, Justice, and Human Rights major at John Carroll University prepares you to build a future advocating for others. Grounded in Catholic social teaching, our program sees peace as inseparable from justice— and human rights as a fundamental ethical obligation. You’ll explore those ideals through a rich, interdisciplinary curriculum and immersive learning experiences.

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Arrupe Social Justice Scholars

Apply to become an Arrupe Scholar. This cohort community experience nurtures leaders committed to social justice through courses, service, and advocacy projects.

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International Immersions

Experience peace building in action. Travel with your peers and professors to communities around the world. Destinations have included Northern Ireland, Germany, South Africa, and the Dominican Republic.

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Service Opportunities

Giving back is a way of life at JCU. Find weekly service opportunities through the Center for Service-Learning and Social Action and through the Arrupe Social Justice Scholars program.

Program Overview & Outcomes

As a Peace, Justice, and Human Rights major at JCU, you will build critical and reflective thinking skills, become a stronger communicator, and develop into a compassionate, ethical leader. With coursework spanning academic disciplines, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of peace building, nonviolent conflict resolution, social justice, ecological sustainability, and human rights advocacy.

Your Path Forward Starts Here

Plan your future from day one. Finish faster with accelerated degrees or secure your spot with early assurance partnerships.

4 Years

Bachelor of Arts

Explore the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights program at John Carroll University. Gain skills to advocate for justice and build a more peaceful world.

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CWRU · Cleveland-Marshall · Akron

3 Years

Juris Doctor (JD)

Your first year of law school doubles as your senior year at JCU. Choose from partner law schools with strengths ranging from health law to intellectual property to public interest.

CWRU

2 Years

MSSA Social Work

Complete your Master of Social Service Administration at CWRU's top-ranked Mandel School. Clinical and community practice training for careers in social justice and human services.

Master of Education (MEd) – Primary P-5

Earn your teaching license and master's degree together. Graduate ready to lead your own elementary classroom with advanced credentials.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Combine your JCU bachelor's degree with a master's in business administration in just one additional year.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (MA)

Prepare for a career in mental health counseling through JCU's accelerated dual-degree pathway.

Master of Education in School Counseling (MEd)

Earn your K-12 school counseling credential and master's degree. Prepare to support students' academic, career, and social-emotional development in school settings.

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Future in Focus

Your first year of law school counts as your senior year at JCU—so you earn both degrees in six years instead of seven. That's a full year of law school tuition you'll never pay.

Future in Focus

Three years at JCU building your foundation in social systems, then two years at CWRU's top-ranked Mandel School. You graduate with two degrees and the preparation to change lives through service and social justice.

Future in Focus

Nine graduate credits count toward both degrees—earning your teaching license and master's while finishing your bachelor's. You pay your undergraduate tuition rate, and your financial aid still applies. Get into the classroom sooner.

Future in Focus

Nine graduate credits count toward both degrees—building executive-level skills while completing your bachelor's. You pay your undergraduate tuition rate with financial aid applied. An MBA for the cost of a few extra courses.

Future in Focus

Nine graduate credits count toward both degrees—so you're building clinical skills while finishing your bachelor's. You pay your undergraduate tuition rate, and your financial aid still applies. Start helping people sooner.

Future in Focus

Nine graduate credits count toward both degrees—building counseling expertise while finishing your bachelor's. You pay your undergraduate tuition rate, and your financial aid still applies. Start supporting students sooner.

 
JCU's Distinct Promise

Pathways are just the beginning.
Onward makes them happen.

From your first semester forward, Onward connects your goals with the people, experiences, and support that help you build momentum with purpose.

Watch the Story

Quincy's Story

Starting in his first semester at John Carroll, Quincy Unger '26 found a team who helped him shape his ideas, find the right opportunities, and launch his own business.

Discover Onward

Where Our Alumni Go

Our alumni are empathetic change-makers who serve communities near and far. They work in public service, law, diplomacy, education, and other people-focused professions. Some pursue related graduate programs or law school.

Peace Corps Logo
Human Rights Watch Logo
City Year Logo
Ohio Guidestone Logo
Community Action Organization of Western ny
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