Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution

Program Overview

The Online Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution is a 12-month (full-time) or 1.5-year (part-time) program that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to resolve organizational conflicts effectively. The program focuses on real-world skills, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and facilitation, and is taught by instructors with years of industry experience. Graduates will be prepared for careers in a wide variety of fields, including human resources, community relations, and legal consulting.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Name:
Online Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution
• Type:
Master's degree
• Delivery Format:
100% online
• Duration:
12 months (for full-time students) or 1.5 years (for part-time students)
• Objectives:
• Provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to resolve organizational conflicts that can have a significant impact on both budget and morale.
• Prepare students for success in a wide variety of fields, including human resources, community relations, and legal consulting.
• Program Description:
• Focuses on real-world skills, including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and facilitation.
• Taught by instructors who bring years of industry experience to the classroom.
• Provides students with a thorough education in how to handle disputes effectively, for both individuals and organizations.
• Incorporates the most up-to-date information possible in the field of dispute resolution.

Outline:

• Program Content:
• Foundations of Conflict Resolution
• Negotiation
• Mediation
• The Ombuds Profession
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Ethics
• International Business Dispute Resolution
• The Practice of Arbitration
• The Practice of Negotiation & Mediation
• The Practice of Facilitation
• Restorative Practice
• Capstone
• Course Schedule:
• 8-week sessions
• 6 starts throughout the year
• Module Descriptions:
• Foundations of Conflict Resolution:
This course provides a foundation to the major schools of thought that contribute to the developments in social psychology, law, political science, social work, and business.
• Negotiation:
This course examines both theoretical and practical implications of diverse assumptions and strategies.
• Mediation:
This course examines the role of the third party in constructively addressing incompatibilities.
• The Ombuds Profession:
This course introduces students to the major theoretical and practical issues inherent in the ombuds profession.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution:
This course provides the foundation of legal basis of ADR and the theoretical and practical processes involved in its implementation and management.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Ethics:
This course covers ethical obligations of attorneys and neutrals in commonly used ADR processes.
• International Business Dispute Resolution:
This course is a survey of the global system that supports, regulates and promotes the resolution of cross-border commercial disputes.
• The Practice of Arbitration:
This course covers key legal principles important to the practice of arbitration in a variety of transactions and settings.
• The Practice of Negotiation & Mediation:
This course introduces students to the processes of negotiation and mediation, explores the theoretical approaches underlying both systems, and cultivates students’ advocacy skills to become effective negotiators in mediation.
• The Practice of Facilitation:
This course introduces the process-oriented practice of facilitation to provide procedural guidance to promote productive and transformative dialogue essential to alternative dispute resolution practices.
• Restorative Practice:
This course explores theories and practice of Restorative Practices within alternative dispute resolution models.
• Capstone:
This course is the final course in the MDR degree program. The capstone is intended to demonstrate the student’s ability to integrate all facets of alternative dispute resolution study by applying what has been learned to a real-world project.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods:
• Class participation
• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Case studies
• Exams
• Assessment Criteria:
• Knowledge of the subject matter
• Critical thinking skills
• Communication skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Online lectures
• Discussion boards
• Case studies
• Simulations
• Role-playing
• Faculty:
• Instructors who bring years of industry experience to the classroom
• Unique Approaches:
• Focus on real-world skills
• Incorporation of the most up-to-date information possible in the field of dispute resolution

Careers:

• Career Paths:
• Mediator
• Arbitrator
• Conflict Resolution Consultant
• Ombudsman
• Human Resources Specialist
• Community Relations Coordinator
• Legal Consultant
• Opportunities:
• Job opportunities in a wide variety of fields, including human resources, community relations, and legal consulting
• Outcomes:
• Graduates will be able to handle disputes as a manager, union representative, advocate or consultant or pursue a position such as arbitrator and mediator.
• Graduates can qualify for jobs that include a median salary of $98,920 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)