Conflict Resolution, MA
Program Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) in Conflict Resolution offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing conflict resolution skill, practice, analysis, theory, and research. Students have the opportunity to explore conflict in a context of particular interest to them. Areas of concentration offered by the department include organizational and international conflict. These concentrations, as well as other topics of student interest, can be pursued through foundation and elective courses within the department, elective courses in other areas of the University, field placements in organizations, and design of final projects.
The MA program comprises 36 credit hours with three options for completing the requirements: Students can choose to produce a master's thesis, design a capstone final project unique to their individual interests and goals, or complete an intensive Integrative Seminar based on the theoretical concepts and approaches to practice that have been studied in their coursework. The programs of study are detailed at Requirements
The Master's program can be completed in two years of full-time study or 3-4 years of part-time study.
Concentrations in International Conflict and Organizational Conflict
Masters students, if they so desire, may pursue a concentration in either Organizational Conflict or International Conflict by taking a minimum of three courses from a pre-approved list of courses in each of these subject areas. These concentrations will be composed of courses both within the department of Conflict Resolution (see Optional Concentrations) and other departments on campus. The concentrations will be identified on the student’s transcript.
The Master’s Thesis
Under the guidance of an individual faculty advisor, students complete a major research project that makes a substantive contribution to critical understanding of an issue in conflict resolution. The final product is a substantial paper, indicating mastery of pertinent concepts and critical analysis that is defended before a committee of three faculty members. Students are required to comply with the Standards for the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations promulgated by the Office of Graduate Studies.
The Master's Project
Students design projects that integrate the knowledge and skills acquired during their training. Projects can take a variety of forms; examples include empirical research, apprenticeships with professionals or agencies, evaluations or analyses of existing practices, and creation of new conflict resolution programs or curricula tailored to specific, identified, unmet needs. Each project culminates in a work product, such as a research paper or written account of the applied project that demonstrates substantial progress beyond previous learning. Projects are reviewed by outside evaluators and graded on a pass-fail basis.
The Integrative Seminar
Students participate in an intensive three-credit seminar during their last semester of study. Student will review all readings done in previous courses and complete at least three papers, integrating and comparing those readings. The seminar will support this exploration through class discussion and reading on the skills of integrating and comparing theoretical concepts and approaches to practice. Papers are reviewed by at least two faculty members and graded on a pass-fail basis.
