Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalogue Archived Catalogue

Conflict Management and Resolution, M.A.


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Graduate Coordinator:  Dr. Remonda Kleinberg

The Department of Public and International Affairs offers a multi-disciplinary M.A.in Conflict Management and Resolution (CMR) for professionals, practitioners and students who wish to gain a greater understanding of a variety of conflict in both domestic and international settings. Domestic and international environmental and natural disasters have also placed individuals, professionals and officials in a position to respond to potential crises at several levels. The program is designed to provide core knowledge, skills, and abilities through a set of modules focused on the theoretical and applied approaches to conflict management. Students acquire the tools to respond to a broad spectrum of scenarios including interpersonal conflict, third-party facilitation and mediation, larger group conflict as well as crisis and emergency management.  Indeed, effective and immediate response to emergencies and disasters by both first responders and those coordinating teams in the field is a crucial element in managing emergencies and pending disasters.

The objective of the graduate degree is to give graduates the knowledge and skill set to assess, interpret and, manage conflict in contemporary and diverse domestic or international organizational and inter-organizational settings. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical and practical processes involved with effectively negotiating and advocating in domestic or international settings and dealing with crises in several situations. Students will moreover gain the skills to identify the uses, strengths and weaknesses of bargaining at the theoretical and practical levels and analyze power sources in negotiations. 

In order to better address the various career goals of our students, the M. A. degree in Conflict Management and Resolution will have three concentrations: (1) National and International Security (NIS), (2) Domestic, Social and Organizational Conflict Transformation (DSOC), and (3) Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM). Students will be required to complete the concentration core course in their chosen area.

The program is based on a dual-format, blended-course model which includes intensive instructional blocks utilizing face-to-face instruction, video teleconferencing and mobile access followed by self-paced but guided distance education. There is one instructional block a semester spanning two–to–four weeks at the beginning of the fall, spring and summer semesters.

Admissions Requirements


Applicants seeking admission to the Conflict Management and Resolution graduate degree program must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States or its equivalent in a foreign institution.  The Graduate School will determine equivalency of international baccalaureate degrees.  Applicants must have a strong academic record in any field with an overall GPA of 3.00, or a “B” average or the equivalent professional experience. All applicants must submit the following to the UNCW Graduate School:

1. An application for graduate admission.
2. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
3. A 500-word essay on the applicant’s goal in pursuing graduate work in conflict management and resolution.
4. Three letters of recommendation from an academic institution or the applicant’s relevant professional field.
5. A current Curriculum Vitae or Resume.
6. Writing sample (Optional).
7. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.
 

Degree Requirements (36 total credit hours)


The M.A. program requires 36 credit hours. The degree includes 4 core courses (12 credits) that are mandatory for each of the three concentrations and one Concentration Core course (3 credits). Students will choose 21 electives for a total of 36 credit hours in the National and International Security or Domestic, Social and Organizational Conflict Transformation or Emergency and Disaster Management concentration. All courses listed will be taught in a semi-distance format where students will be required to attend a block of intense class lectures after which assignments will be completed off-campus.

National and International Security (NIS) Concentration (24 credit hours)


NIS Concentration Electives (21 credit hours)


Domestic, Social and Organizational Conflict Transformation (DSOC) Concentration (24 credit hours)


Emergency and Disaster Management (EDM) Concentration (24 Credit Hours)


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