Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

College of Arts and Humanities

Program Description

The Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding Program involves a comprehensive study of applied methods, theory, and research and a choice of various electives covering a wide range of applicable subjects. This degree program is beneficial for those who work in the following professions: counseling, law enforcement, teaching, social work, therapy, benefit labor, human resources, management  government, community organizing,  lobbying, foreign service, and the military, as well as international business and peace organizations. The Master of Arts and Certificate also are offered online through distance learning delivery.

Undergraduate

Features

The Bachelor of Arts in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding is designed to be an interdisciplinary, thoroughly inter-cultural, Undergraduate Degree Program that emphasizes

  1. intercultural communication,
  2. the role of women in culture,
  3. mediation, and
  4. the unique perspectives, fundamentals, theories, and research methods the field.

The NCRP program has a joint 3+3 option/concentration with ABA accredited Southwestern Law School. Students electing the "3+3" modified program will be advised during their first year concerning program requirements.

Graduate

Admission Requirements

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any major and a GPA of 3.0 or above (4-point scale) in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units of upper division course work from any accredited college or university may apply for admission to the degree program with classified status. Individuals with a master's degree in conflict resolution (or a closely related area or a JD) from any accredited college or university may apply for admission to the post-master's certificate program. All applicants must submit the standard admission application by July 15. A 500-word biographical essay and three letters of recommendation are required. The biographical statement and letters of recommendation must address:

  1. what in the applicant's background indicates this subject matter and academic rigor is appropriate for this applicant;
  2. why the applicant desires this degree or certificate; and
  3. what does the applicant plan to do with this degree or certificate once obtained.

The biographical essay and letters of recommendation should be forwarded to the program director. Applicants will be selected to fill the vacancies in the program on the basis of grade point average (if applicable) and an evaluation of the biographical statement and letters of recommendation. Furthermore, the applicant may be required to participate in an oral interview. There is an opportunity to pursue a joint JD/MA in cooperation with Southwestern Law School. Students interested in pursuing this opportunity should consult with the program director prior to commencement of their first semester as a graduate student.

Program

Once admitted, students must complete their program (degree or certificate) with a grade point average of at least 3.0. All courses used to fulfill the requirements for the master's degree or the certificate must be passed with a grade of "B" or better. Subject to approval of the program director, no more than 10 units total can be included from other departments or universities, or be completed prior to formal admission to the master's degree program and 5 units for the post-master's certificate. Students must be in continuous attendance as defined elsewhere in this University Catalog. No course completed as part of another degree, and no course completed more than 5 years before the date of graduation date, can be included toward the master's degree or certificate.

Each year the entering class for the degree or certificate program will be placed in a cohort for on-campus education and a cohort for distance learning delivery.

Students for the master's degree must meet the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by scoring 8 or above on University Graduation Writing Examination (GWE) or by earning at least a "B" in an approved course as described in the University Catalog. This requirement must be satisfied during the first semester in the program in order to continue in the program.

All other university requirements specified in this University Catalog must be met (see the Graduate Degrees and Postbaccalaureate Studies section).

Credit by Examination

Courses in the Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Program depend to a large degree on simulations, team learning, discussion, and papers growing out of these experiences. Therefore, credit by examination is not available. This is a rigorus program and should not be undertaken without a commitment to superior oral and written work product.

Graduation

Students must complete a Graduation Application (available from the Registrar) and a Program Approval Form (available from the program office) according to the deadlines given in the graduate section of this University Catalog under "Application for Graduation". The Program Approval Form specifies the courses to be counted toward graduation, and insures that all students are Classified and Advanced to Candidacy. This applies to both the master's degree and the post-master's certificate programs.

Advising

Full-time faculty members serve as academic advisors for NCRP majors. Students are strongly encouraged to seek faculty advisement upon admission and regularly thereafter. Faculty advisors work with students to provide information about program requirements, preparation for post-baccalaureate programs, and career options.

The Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Student and Alumni Association provides a means for students and alumni of the program to exchange ideas and job information and to extend their social and professional contacts. Students are strongly encouraged to join and participate.