Turn conflicts into positive outcomes—and a career asset.
Join us for an online open house to get your questions answered about graduate programs and the admissions process. Meet admissions staff, financial aid professionals, faculty, and academic advisors from various graduate programs. Learn more about your journey at UMass Boston.
Register Now
Apply the skills you gain toward careers in conflict resolution, peace building, and mediation. Participate in internships, fellowships, research projects, and paid opportunities, while competitive funding programs support hands-on experience and independent research. Sharpen practical skills, grow your professional network, and confidently pursue your career path.
Here’s where this degree can take you:
Join an upcoming information session to learn more about Confict Resolution graduate programs and the application process.
Register For An Info Session
The political and social polarization in our country motivated me to seek a conflict resolution graduate program that would help me understand conflict dynamics and how to move towards durable peace. I was impressed by UMass Boston's commitment to balancing academic theory with real-world applications. It was incredibly helpful to learn about the factors that make conflict resolution tools effective in different contexts & how to avoid pitfalls that may undermine their intended impact.Andrew B.
What drew me into the certificate was the Bargaining course. I was getting into the mindset for contract bargaining and this seemed very relevant. Other coursework seemed interesting and applicable for dealing with conflict around the workplace. Plus, it was great to see the diversity of the Conflict Resolution student body. I learned a lot from classmates, in addition to learning from faculty.Apostolos K., ‘24
Deadlines:
Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.
Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.
Program Cost Information: Significant on-campus tuition discounts are available to residents of Massachusetts, the other New England states, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. For more detailed information on costs, visit the Bursar's website to learn more about Regular Session Tuition & Fees for in person courses and Special Price Tuition & Fees for online courses. Please refer to Financial Aid for more information.
International: Please visit the International Graduate Applicants if applicable.
Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:
Please visit the International Graduate Applicants if applicable.
This 12 credit graduate certificate degree can be completed in 1 year of full-time study (2 classes per semester) or part-time. The 12 credits will transfer to the Conflict Resolution master's program if you go on to apply and are accepted.
Students must attend 5 colloquia to complete program (4 are offered each semester). Online degree seeking students are exempt.
Required Courses:
6 credits of electives: (most are 3 credits except the Dialogue and Facilitation course and the court mediation internship are each 6 credits)
Examples of electives:
*CONRES 690 Court [Mediation] Internship: 40 hours of classroom training and 30 hours of district court mediation, mentoring, and evaluation, meeting all the requirements of the Guidelines for Implementation of Qualification Standards for Neutrals, adopted January 24, 2004, pursuant to Rule 8 of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution. Students who successfully complete one of the mediation certificate options will receive a Certificate of Completion showing completion of the training and mentoring components of mediator qualifications according to those guidelines and M.G.L. Chapter 233 section 23 (Confidentiality Statute).
For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.
Complete 12 credits, including two core courses (3 credits each) plus 6 elective credits (most are 3 credits except the court mediation internship is 6 credits).
Attend 5 colloquium (4 are offered each semester).
Statute of limitations: Three years.
Graduate Program Director Karen Ross
karen.ross@umb.edu
(617) 287-7489
Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance
conresglobal@umb.edu
Start building your professional network through internships, jobs, and research opportunities. All incoming students are automatically enrolled in two email digests, one focused on internships, fellowships, and events, and the other sharing job openings, helping you tap into the community’s network right away. Competitive funding programs help you gain experience that strengthens your career readiness. Students also have access to initiatives like Beacon2Beacon, a mediation team serving the UMass Boston community, where you can apply conflict resolution skills in real situations.
Learn About Beacon to Beacon
Explore the department and college that supports your journey in Conflict Resolution, Human Security & Global Governance
SARA Compliance, Disclosure & Dispute Resolution
UMass Boston programs are designed to meet the requirements for licensure or certification in Massachusetts. Please contact your state licensing or certification board to determine whether the program meets the requirements for licensure or certification in other states.
Learn More about SARA
