How to Register for the PACS Certificate

The first step for interested students is to complete theÌý.

campus
  • This form asks students for some basic information and to develop a plan of study estimating when students might complete certificate-related courses.
    • Please note - to complete the form, you must be logged into your colorado.edu Gmail account.Ìý
  • As of now the certificate is only available to currently enrolled CU ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ undergraduate students. Persons interested in PACS courses do not have to enrolled in the certificate program to take PACS courses.

Students can complete the form on their own or they can with the PACS Director, Dr. Michael English to complete the registration with him.

ÌýÌýCertificate RequirementsÌýÌýÌý

  • The PACS Certificate is part of the Degree Audit system.
    • Students and their advisors can use the Degree Audit to run a report for the PACS Certificate (which shows up under the code PCCS).
    • Click on the Degree Audit link above and follow the instructions.
      • Dr. English can also assist you with the process if you have any concerns or questions.
  • The Degree Audit will indicate which courses have been completed and which courses still require completion.
    • Transfer courses will likely not show up properly as counting toward the PACS Certificate in the system.
      • If this is the case, do not worry. If the course has been approved by Dr. English as part of your plan of study, it will count toward the certificate.
  • Please email Dr. English with any questions or concerns.
  • As you approach graduation, you will want to make sure that you have all the necessary requirements completed. The best way to stay on top of this is by checking your progress by running a Degree AuditÌý(information on how can be found above).
  • During your final semester, you should email Dr. English to confirm your progress and certificate completion.
    • After confirming you are on track to complete the certificate, Dr. English will send you a Program Exit Survey to complete.
    • Once you have completed this survey and he has confirmed that you have met the requirements, your name will be submitted to the Registrar's Office.
      • The Registrar will award you the PACS Certificate. It will show up on your official transcript and a paper certificate will be mailed to you after graduation.
  • Please ensure that you have updated your home address in the CU system prior to graduation.

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: Research 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.