Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution

In spring 2006, SMU became the first university in the southwest region of the United States to offer an interdisciplinary Master’s degree in dispute resolution.

Like the graduate certificate program in dispute resolution, the Master’s degree emphasizes the development of skills vital to the resolution of business, domestic, education, public policy, church, legal, and healthcare disputes. The Program’s quality and uniqueness stems, in significant measure, from its multidisciplinary approach to conflict management and its commitment to integrating ethics throughout the curriculum. Rooted in the social and behavioral sciences, the faculty and curriculum integrates such diverse fields as psychology, law, sociology, public policy, and economics.

The Master of Arts departs from the Certificate program, however, in the depth and breadth of its curriculum and in its admission process. The Master's curriculum affords greater depth of study than that offered by the certificate program, additional specialization of skills, and a level of professional scholarship that allows graduates to contribute to as well as practice in the profession.

The Curriculum

The Master of Arts program requires the completion of 42 credit hours, 21 of which will correspond with the Certificate Program’s required curriculum and 21 of which will comprise electives. Most of the electives offer focused study in singular applications of dispute resolution, allowing students to concentrate in specific areas of interest.

Required Courses (18 credit hours total)
Psychology of Conflict (Replaces Introduction to Dispute Resolution) (3 credit hours)
Negotiation (3 credit hours)
Mediation (3 credit hours)
Foundations of American Legal Systems and Legal Research (3 credit hours)
Ethics in Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Mediation Practicum (1 credit hour with up to 3 allowed)
Research Methods (2 credit hours)

Selection of Electives (to total 24 credit hours)
System Design in Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Employment Law (3 credit hours)
Finance & Property (3 credit hours)
Organizational Consulting Skills (3 credit hours)
Social Psychology in Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Multi-cultural Negotiation (3 credit hours)
Arbitration (3 credit hours)
Communication and Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Advanced Research Methods (3 credit hours)
Workplace Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Organizational Change Management (3 credit hours)
Domestic Relations & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Education & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Human Resources & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Team Building Theory and Practice (3 credit hours)
Assessment and Interviewing (3 credit hours)
Transitional and Developmental Coaching (3 credit hours)
Performance Coaching (3 credit hours)
Family Law & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Insurance & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Commercial Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Public Policy & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Religion & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
On-Line Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
International Negotiation (3 credit hours)
Advanced Mediation (3 credit hours)
Advanced Arbitration (3 credit hours)
Health Care & Dispute Resolution (3 credit hours)
Independent Study (up to 3 credits)

Like the Certificate classes, the Master’s classes will be on a quarter schedule and offered primarily in the evenings and on weekends.

Admission Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Official undergraduate transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A 250-word essay explaining why the applicant wants to study DR.
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). If the GPA is lower than 2.75, the applicant must submit acceptable GRE, LSAT, or Miller Analogies scores and interview with the Center Director or Associate Director.
• Students applying to the Master’s program after completing the certificate program must demonstrate a 3.5 GPA from the certificate program (and comply with all other admission requirements).

Cost

Tuition for classes is $1,950 per class ($650 per credit hour).

Financial Assistance

Federal financial aid is available to students in the Master of Arts degree and in the Graduate Certificate program. Please go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply.  Employers often provide tuition assistance for graduate programs that enhance the resumes of their employees, so be sure to check with yours to determine if you are eligible.  Follow the link below for specific information on Graduate student loan programs.

http://www.smu.edu/financial_aid/

Questions?  Contact Us:  972-473-3435 or click here to email.