The Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution offers an 18-credit curriculum focusing on dispute resolution skills for professionals in a wide variety of settings where managing conflict is an essential part of their work. 

The Graduate Certificate also provides a foundation for those who are interested in pursuing conflict intervention as a major professional focus.  Successful completion of the certificate allows practitioners to meet current and proposed qualification standards of most professional Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) organizations.

The Certificate program can be completed in one year (2 semesters) of full-time study

or 2 years of part-time study.

Required Courses

DisRes 621: Negotiation
DisRes 623: Theories of Conflict Resolution
DisRes 603: Advanced Mediation & Negotiation*
DisRes 690: Internship

PLUS: One of the following:

DisRes 622: Ethics & Public Policy [DisRes 690 is a prerequisite for DisRes 622]
DisRes 624: Cross-Cultural Conflict
DisRes 625: Conflict, Organizations & Systems

* You can substitute DisRes 622, 624 or 625 or an elective course offered within the DisRes department for DisRes 603.

PLUS: Attendance at 5 of the 7 Dispute Resolution Colloquia offered during the academic year [see below]

Click here to view the current Academic Calendar and Class Schedules.

Dispute Resolution Department Colloquium Series

An important part of the Dispute Resolution program is the interaction with faculty and fellow students which takes place outside of the classroom. Departmental colloquia, which are scheduled monthly, provide an opportunity to discuss issues and share viewpoints. Guest speakers frequently provide the impetus for discussions. All students in both the Masters and Certificate programs are strongly encouraged to attend as many of the colloquia as possible.

For a current Colloquium Series Schedule schedule click here

Attendance at 5 of the 7 colloquia offered during the academic year is a graduation requirement.