Students learn the arts of negotiation, problem solving, mediation, arbitration, systems design, and many other applications of dispute resolution.
Because conflict is a natural and recurring part of all aspects of society, students from all walks of life benefit from a Master of Arts in the study of dispute resolution and conflict management. These skills can enhance current career paths or launch new careers.
Rooted in the social and behavioral sciences, the curriculum provides in-depth study of conflict theory with options for concentration in alternative dispute resolution, organizational transformation and conflict management, executive coaching, and healthcare collaboration and conflict engagement as they apply to business, family, education, public policy, religion, law and healthcare. Field-based opportunities in a variety of settings further enhance the skills of dispute resolution and conflict management.
Because conflict is a natural and recurring part of all aspects of society, training in dispute resolution and conflict management can enhance the lives of individuals in a variety of professions and industries.
The seven-course program offers a solid foundation in conflict theory and skill development. Students learn the skills of negotiation, problem solving, mediation, arbitration, and systems design through classroom instruction that includes simulations.
This program is designed for physicians, healthcare administrators, nurses, healthcare human-resource professionals, and those who seek healthcare leadership roles.
The three-course curriculum teaches engagement and collaborative skills that are grounded in evidence-based social science, fundamentals of neuroscience, emotional and social intelligence, and the fundamental concepts of conflict and conflict escalation and de-escalation.
One of the fastest-growing fields of management consulting in America, SMU’s Executive and Leadership Coaching Concentration is designed for individuals who want to work as executive coaches or coaching consultants.
The 3-course curriculum offers a comprehensive, classroom-based, learning experience in the areas of theory and practice, professional context, and International Coach Federation competencies. The Concentration can also be taken as a stand alone set of courses leading to a departmental certificate of completion.
