Professional Certificate in Peace and Stability Operations (CPSO)

The Peace Operations Policy Program of the School of Public Policy, George Mason University is proud to debut its Professional Certificate in Peace and Stability Operations (CPSO). The CPSO is for professionals in the field of peace and stability operations and focuses on the most important aspects of these multi-disciplinary, inter-agency operations to develop and enhance capabilities and competencies. The certificate is offered in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research—Programme of Correspondence Instruction in Peacekeeping Operations (UNITAR-POCI). It is suitable for both civilian and military personnel.

The CPSO is a professional certificate and students will earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs). The Registrar at George Mason University will maintain an official record of earned CEUs. These classes are not available for credit, and do not qualify individuals for student visas.

Class Approach

This accelerated certificate program provides academic credentials for the busy professional and includes both classroom and web-based courses. CPSO-1 and CPSO-2 each occur in residence during either a one-week session of eight-hour days or a two-week session with four-hour days. These courses meet at the Arlington Campus of George Mason University (or at a group’s location when contracted). CPSO-3 and CPSO-4 are web-based correspondence courses, each with a dedicated instructor. CPSO-5 is an independent research project conducted by the student with individual advising by a POPP faculty member. In order to meet the needs of students and organizations, POPP can organize specific paths, such as civilian policing, elections monitoring, or humanitarian assistance.

CPSO-1: Introduction and Theory of Peace and Stability Operations.
5.5 CEUs (55 hours)

This course examines the challenges and responsibilities facing professionals engaged in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of peace and stability operations. Students will come away with the ability to functionally design and analyze an intervention, whether to address conflict or natural disaster. Topics include provision of humanitarian assistance; repatriation or resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons; conducting elections and building democracy; establishing the rule of law; and demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration of ex-combatants. The interplay of military, police, governmental, and nongovernmental actors will be highlighted throughout the course.

Residence Course. Ten sessions of four hours each with a 30-minute break plus two hours of out of class laboratory time for mission analysis.

CPSO-2: Analysis for Peace and Stability Operations.
4.3 CEUs (43 hours)

Professionals engaged in the planning, conduct, and evaluation of peace and stability operations cannot perform their work absent an understanding of the multi-dimensional and dynamic nature of the environment in which they operate. This course introduces the student to multiple concepts from the field of conflict analysis and resolution—both academic- and practice-oriented—to allow students to think systematically and critically about their application to our field. Students will come away with the ability to analyze the conflict the intervention is to address.

Residence Course. Ten sessions of four hours each with a 30-minute break with two hours of reading and research for four of the evenings.

CPSO-3: History of Peace and Stability Operations.
6.0 CEUs (60 hours)

This course offers a historical approach to the use of intervention to promote international peace and stability. UN peacekeeping and multinational operations, and peacebuilding missions will be examined. The professional will come away understanding the underlying structure of peace and stability operations and how these interventions have developed and changed over time.

Distributed Learning. Each UNITAR-POCI course has been estimated to take 20 hours of reading, study, and evaluation. The mentored paper will take an additional 20 hours.

CPSO-4: Peace and Stability Operations Leadership.
6.0 CEUs (60 hours)

This course investigates and critically analyzes the processes currently used by the international community to field, support, and lead these operations. Special focus will be paid to the leadership role—how leaders are chosen and the various methods by which they integrate the many, often competing, organizations involved in an intervention. Students will come away with the ability to contribute to the leadership of a peace and stability operation from their professional point of view, either as military or civilian leaders.

Distributed Learning. Each UNITAR-POCI course has been estimated to take 20 hours of reading, study, and evaluation. The mentored paper will take an additional 20 hours.

CPSO-5: Research Project in Peace and Stability Operations.
3.0 CEUs (30 hours)

A capstone paper serves as a final requirement for the certificate. Mentored by a professional in peace and stability operations, the student will conduct policy and professional research into some aspect of peace and stability operations. This course will provide the professional with the ability to conduct objective and rigorous analysis and to present findings in a significant written paper.

External Study. Experience with assigned cap stone papers indicates that students take from 20 to 40 out of class hours for reading, research, and writing. This course requires drafts of the research paper and student-mentor interaction equivalent to that of a resident course.

Admissions

Professionals seeking admittance to the program must submit:

• A Curriculum Vitae or resume
• One example of writing and research skills (1,250 word minimum)
• Two references from professionals in the field (one must be from a supervisor)
• An original, five-page essay on a topic in the field of peace and stability operations
• Completed application form
• $100 non-refundable fee
• Non-native English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency with a TOEFL score of 88 on the iBT, 230 on the computer test, or 570 on the paper test. Alternatively, an SAT verbal score of 450 or higher is acceptable.

Applicants must submit completed applications 30 days prior to the intended CPSO-1 start date (see actual dates below).

Schedule

Students will take CPSO-1 and CPSO-2 in residence, either at Arlington or at another host institution if offered under contract. CPSO-1 is a pre-requisite for further courses. Students should take CPSO-3 and CPSO-4 any time within a year of completion of CPSO-1. Registration for CPSO-5 can occur only following completion of the four previous courses. There is a two-year maximum for completion of all coursework following the start of CPSO-1. For those individuals wishing to complete the program in an accelerated, six-month format, a notional schedule follows:

CPSO-1: Completed in residence during Month 1
CPSO-3: Completed by distance learning in Month 3
CPSO-4: Completed by distance learning in Month 4
CPSO-2: Completed in residence during Month 5
CPSO-5: Completed by distance learning in Month 6

For individuals wishing to more time to complete the certificate, a notional schedule follows:

CPSO-1: Completed in residence during Month 1
CPSO-3: Completed by distance learning in Month 4
CPSO-4: Completed by distance learning in Month 8
CPSO-2: Completed in residence during Month 13
CPSO-5: Completed by distance learning in Month 18

Course Dates

CPSO-1: May 8-19, 2006
August 7-18, 2006

CPSO-2: May 21-26, 2006 (Five days, eight hours each day)
August 21-26, 2006 (Five days, eight hours each day)

Expenses

The tuition for the program is $1250 per course, for a total of $6250 for the certificate; tuition includes all books and fees. Any travel, lodging, or incidental expenses will be borne by the student separately. You must register for each class independently and sequentially. Discounts are available when registering for the entire certificate program, or through organizational contracts.

If you would like a brochure describing the program click here: CPSO Brochure

Please contact Dr. Allison Frendak-Blume if you have additional questions: afrendak@gmu.edu