MASTER PROGRAMME

PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES

The practical experience can be fulfilled by completing one of the three following options:

1. Internships lasting at least six weeks (equivalent to 240 working hours plus 60 hours of personal contribution for preparation and follow-up, including preparing the report according to the relevant specifications) 
2. Completing language courses including reaching a level with a volume of at least 300 hours of work including preparation and follow-up time (for example, 4 SWS per two semesters including preparation and follow-up time correspond to a time expenditure of 336 hours)
3. Volunteer work of at least 300 hours over a period of at least 6 months at an institution relevant to the field of peace and conflict research, including the preparation of a corresponding report

Option 1: Internship

Before the Internship:

According to the study and examination regulations (Studien- und Prüfungsordnung), you need to complete an internship of minimum six weeks (§6.6). You are free to do your internship in Germany or abroad. Inform yourself beforehand if or how much you would earn and if the organization provides you with housing or helps you finding an accommodation; all in all, make sure that you can afford the stay. Yo may be eligble for AuslandsBAföG or a scholarship. The German Academic Exchange Service DAAD may be of interest in this regard.

If you need inspiration for a PACS internship, check out some possible opportunities.

During the Internship:

You should work a minimum of 240 hours, i.e. eight hours per day for six weeks of internship. You may also be able to complete a half-time internship as long as you fulfill the required hours; however, you should talk to your supervisor beforehand.

Make sure that you receive a proof of the internship signed and rubberstamped by the respective organization. This may be a certificate (Praktikumszeugnis) and/or the document Praktikumsnachweis from the examination office (only available in German). Be aware that you will have to hand in your original internship certificate and that you will not get it back. It may be a better option to use the Praktikumsnachweis-document or to ask your internship organisation for a second original issue of the certificate.

After the Internship:

In order to receive the designated ten Credit Points for your internship, you need to hand in two documents to the examination office:

• The document Praktikumsnachweis signed by the respective organization. You can hand in an internship certificate instead (signed and rubberstamped); however, this needs to be either the original document or a notarized copy.
• The acknowledgement of the internship supervisor Prof. Dr. Alexander Spencer  (mail to: ). You need to hand in an internship report of 2000 words. This includes in particular the reflection of the relationship between Internship and course of study, a list of the activities carried out, the exemplary description of an activity carried out and the reflection of the potential suitability of the internship for PACS students in general. You can hand in the report via mail. Prof. Spencer will read your report and check if your internship fulfills the criteria for achieving Credit Points: The report should connect your internship experience with the contents of the PACS programme whereby the layout of the report is up to your decision. If you are unsure about the connection to the PACS' contents, please talk to Prof. Spencer before you start the internship. He will then sign your Praktikumsnachweis-document, which your internship organizations has already filled in, or he will give you an extra document in case you want to hand in your internship certificate. Having received the signature, you can then hand in the document(s) in the examination office.

It is possible to complete your internship after you have handed in your Master thesis and your Master defence. Be aware that the date you hand in your internship report then is the date of your last examination requirement (Prüfungsleistung) and will appear on your Master certificate as day of your degree. 

Option 2: Language Course

You may complete a language proficiency UNIcert level with certificate at OvGU (non english). The course must includ reaching a level with a volume of at least 300 hours of work including preparation and follow-up time (for example, 4 SWS per two semesters including preparation and follow-up time correspond to a time expenditure of 336 hours). However, it always advised to consult your internship supervisor before deciding on the language course.

Option 3: Volunteer work

A proof of voluntary commitment related to PACS can as well fulfill the requirments of the practical experience. However, this commitment needs to amount to at least 240 working hours at an organization relevant to the field of peace and conflict research within minimum of six months timeframe.In addition to the commitment and similar to the internship option, a report of around 2,000 words must be prepared. This includes in particular the reflection of the relationship between the practical experiences and the course of study, a list of the activities carried out exemplary description of an activity carried out and the reflection of the potential suitability of the activity for PACS students in general.