This 15-credit certificate is specifically tailored to provide students with practical knowledge of conflict analysis and resolution relevant to their focused areas of work. Designed for mid-career professionals studying in a cohort environment, the certificate programs integrate conflict analysis and resolution theory, research, and practical technique. These programs use intensive course sessions, lecture, seminar, and applied mentored learning in real and simulated situations to prepare students to use conflict analysis and resolution approaches in their work in a variety of fields. Students choose one of four concentrations.
This certificate may only be pursued on a part-time basis, unless a student is concurrently enrolled in another degree program or takes additional courses over those required for the certificate program. Some courses are offered only in intensive Saturday and Sunday formats or online.
Concentrations
Advanced Skills
The Advanced Skills concentration covers conflict resolution skills in challenging conflicts and considers innovative and emerging practices. This concentration considers the complexity of conflict in a variety of different settings and prepares students to design and implement interventions for difficult conflicts. The concentration emphasizes skill development.
Prevention and Reconstruction Contexts
The Prevention and Stabilization Contexts concentration augments development, defense, security, or humanitarian aid work experience with the theories and skills of conflict analysis and resolution for designing, implementing, and evaluating conflict-sensitive initiatives internationally in areas of potential violence and post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization. Considers cross-sectoral approaches to long-term violence prevention and constructive conflict resolution.
World Religions and Peacebuilding
The World Religions and Peacebuilding concentration considers strategies to reduce global violence and terrorism by incorporating the best moral practices of religious communities into policy planning, diplomacy, civil society building and democratization. Covers strategies to elicit moderate moral religious expression in conflict regions to strengthen civil society and democracy.
Collaborative Community Action
All communities have conflicts, some much more severe than others, often driven by deep racial and ethnic divisions, economic inequity, complex intractable problems, and environmental degradation. Many community conflicts are triggered by changes, whether a new law or new development. These are among the many issues that effective, inclusive, collaborative community processes can help address. This concentration incorporates theory and skills needed to identify concerns and design collaborative processes that employ a wide range of design options ranging from small group dialogue to facilitated consensus building and online engagement to thousand person town meetings.
Admissions
Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. Applicants to this certificate must submit an undergraduate transcript showing completion of an undergraduate degree or equivalent, a cover letter specifying interest in the program, two letters of recommendation, and a curriculum vitae or résumé indicating relevant work experience.
In addition, prior work experience in areas related to the chosen graduate certificate is desirable. GRE or other standardized test scores are not required but may be submitted. The TOEFL is required of international students. For more information, see Admission of International Students.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate certificates, see AP.6.8 Requirements for Graduate Certificates.
Class Schedule
Please note that some classes for this graduate certificate are offered only in Saturday and Sunday sessions. Please check the Schedule of Classes for each term to identify course meeting dates, and specific add/drop dates for these partial semester courses.
Certificate Requirements
Total credits: 15
This certificate may be pursued on a full-or part-time basis.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONF 501 | Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution | 3 |
| CONF 668 | Applied Integration for Graduate Certificates | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Students must also select one concentration and complete all requirements therein.
Advanced Skills Concentration (CARA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONF 650 | Conflict Analysis and Resolution Advanced Skills | 3 |
| CONF 660 | Conflict Assessment and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Facilitation Skills | ||
| Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Leadership in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Narrative Approaches to Conflict Analysis | ||
| Negotiating in Complex Systems | ||
| Transforming Conflict through Insight | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Application of any other course toward fulfillment of the elective requirement must be approved by the Certificate Program Director. |
Collaborative Community Action Concentration (CCA)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONF 651 | Collaborative Community Action Participatory Governance | 3 |
| CONF 657 | Facilitation Skills | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Leadership in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Conflict Assessment and Program Evaluation | ||
| Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Conflict Resolution | ||
| Conflict and Race | ||
| Conflict and Gender | ||
| Law and Justice from a Conflict Perspective | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Application of any other course toward fulfillment of the elective requirement must be approved by the Certificate Program Director. |
Prevention and Reconstruction Contexts Concentration (PRC)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONF 652 | Conflict Analysis and Resolution for Prevention, Reconstruction, and Stabilization Contexts | 3 |
| CONF 660 | Conflict Assessment and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Facilitation Skills | ||
| Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Leadership in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Conflict in Development | ||
| Law and Justice from a Conflict Perspective | ||
| Dynamics of Post-War Peacebuilding | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Application of any other course toward fulfillment of the elective requirement must be approved by the Certificate Program Director. |
World Religions and Peacebuilding Concentration (WRP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CONF 653 | World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution | 3 |
| CONF 660 | Conflict Assessment and Program Evaluation | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Facilitation Skills | ||
| Diversity and Difference in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Leadership in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Special Topics in Conflict Analysis and Resolution | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Application of any other course toward fulfillment of the elective requirement must be approved by the Certificate Program Director. |