Peace, Justice & Human Rights
Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
-
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.
-
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.
Academics
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.
Curriculum: What You Will Learn
You’ll explore the causes of conflict, injustice, and human rights violations through interdisciplinary study in politics, history, sociology, philosophy, theology, and related fields. Research, reflection, and experiential learning prepare you to evaluate complex issues and contribute to meaningful social change.
Related Programs
Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some related academic areas to explore.
Pathways
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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A JD in Less Time, for Less
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.
Two Degrees, Two Institutions
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.
Your Teaching Career, Accelerated
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.
Your MBA, Accelerated
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.
Your Counseling Career, Accelerated
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.
Your School Counseling Career, Accelerated
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.
Onward
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.
Careers
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.
