Educational and Career Objectives

"Conflict resolution" as a distinct field of professional practice is relatively new and not fully integrated or institutionalized into the way our society "does business". To some degree, we are still pioneering a new approach, though much progress has been made over the past thirty years.

Alternative dispute resolution approaches are being applied in the corporate and organizational settings, in public policy decision-making, in many sectors of legal practice including tort, contract, employment, family, and environmental law, in international humanitarian and relief work, in community disputes and decision-making, and within the courts.

Increasingly, employers in government, business, and the non-profit sectors are recognizing the value of conflict management expertise and experience. Though the words "mediator" or "conflict resolution specialist" are infrequently in the job title, the skills we teach fit many job description qualifications.

The Master's program will equip its graduates with:

• New or enhanced marketable abilities - both research-based and skills-focused - that provide added value to individual professional pursuits.
• Significant real-life experience and training in an area of their choice.
• Strong relationships with faculty members, peers, and professionals in the field.
• Mastery of skills and expanded perspectives in conflict resolution, from theoretical, practical, public policy, ethical and professional responsibility orientations.
• Renewed ability to become creative, innovative participants in healthier communities.

Some examples of recent job postings in the Conflict Resolution field