IPCR Master’s students are required to complete either a thesis or a Substantial Research Paper as part of their course of study. For more information on completing a thesis, please see the SIS Graduate Advising site.

The overall purpose of the Substantial Research Paper (SRP) is for Master of Arts students in International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) to satisfactorily complete serious and sustained research and writing, based on analysis of both secondary and primary source material, that is, existing literature and the collection of data. The SRP is an integrative capstone project and involves the student working closely with a faculty member who provides supervision for the project. The successful completion of the SRP serves to demonstrate students’ ability to conduct theoretically informed, analytical research. To see examples of distinguished SRPs, click here.

SRP requirements and guidelines are available in paper form in the IPCR office and the SIS Graduate Advising office. Each year, there will be a meeting called in the Fall semester to explain SRP requirements and guidelines to all interested IPCR MA students.