Negotiation and Mediation Courses Online

Completion of the M.S. in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution requires the successful completion of 32 credit hours. The program includes two five-day residency requirements.

NDR 707 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution - Foundations I (3 credits) / NDR 717 Foundations II (2 credits)
The online modules present a broad introduction to the field and provide a strong foundation in a number of key concepts, including the three major roles of the conflict specialist, theories of communication and conflict, approaches to negotiation and their limitations, private versus court-centered approaches to resolving conflict, and psychological biases and barriers in addressing conflict.

NDR 727 Negotiation and Conflict Resolution - Residency (3 credits)
This residential experience is an intense program building on the online module with presentations, skills development, and case simulations that include group exercises, scenarios and role playing, and demonstrations.

NDR 737 Online Dispute Resolution (2 credits)
This course examines what has been described as "the hottest area" in conflict resolution. It addresses the emerging practice of conflict resolution in cyberspace and provides hands-on training in the use of emerging technologies to supplement traditional dispute resolution approaches and the use of Internet media to handle Internet-based disputes. No technology background is required.

NDR 747 Dynamics of Conflict Resolution (2 credits)
This course addresses the nature, meaning, and dynamics of conflict and the challenges of communication in interpersonal, inter-group, and intra-group settings. Drawing from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and communications, students will examine the thinking process that drives the practice of successful conflict resolution. Among specific concepts examined are the relationships among power, culture, and conflict; the sources of conflict; the nature of resolution; and what constitutes a genuine resolution of a conflict. Features and tools of effective communication in conflict, including listening, constructive framing, and the use of narratives, are considered.

NDR 757 Systems and Consulting for Conflict Specialists (2 credits)
This course examines how an understanding of systems can contribute to the effective management of conflict. It also focuses on the ways that stakeholders can go beyond specific disputes to take a broader look at the full range of organizational conflicts to determine how best to prevent or address the types of conflicts an organization experiences over time. There is particular emphasis on different organizational contexts (e.g., private sector versus public sector, unionized versus non-unionized, as well as institutions such as universities and hospitals) and the role conflict specialists can play as consultants to organizations.

NDR 767 Culture, Gender, and Power Differences in Conflict (2 credits)
This course takes an interdisciplinary look at issues related to the role of culture, gender, and other factors in conflict analysis and resolution. Students will receive an overview of relevant theories and research from social psychology, anthropology, sociology, and other disciplines. Topics such as the meaning of culture and conflict from a cultural perspective, cross-cultural communication, stereotypes, and differences in attitudes toward racism, sexism, and ethnicity will be discussed.

NDR 777 Conflict Specialist Ally Roles: Advocate, Organizer, Strategist, Coach (2 credits)
This course examines the range of roles for conflict specialists, with a focus on the application of conflict and communication principles. Common skills as well as specific tasks and techniques involved in each particular ally role will be discussed.

NDR 787 Mediation - Course includes on-campus residency, pre- and post-session readings, and online discussion boards (4 credits)
This course provides intensive in-person training in mediation skills and techniques to resolve a wide variety of disputes, such as in health care, commercial, family, public, workplace, and international settings. The course will include the discussion of several mediation models and their underlying theoretical premises, principles and skills, as well as current research involving mediation. Most of the work will be intensive skills development through role playing, case examples, demonstrations, simulations, and small group sessions.

Concentration
(Based on the chosen concentration, each set of courses include 3 credits online and 3 credits for a guided research project.)

In these concentration courses, students will focus on applying skills in the specific context of the students' chosen area of concentration. In the guided research project, there will be an opportunity to focus on a particular topic within your chosen concentration through a multi-stage research project.

Through discussion, case study, simulation, improvisation, and facilitated dialogue, participants have the opportunity to integrate theories of chaos and complexity science with techniques for improving communication, collaboration, and teamwork within the context of actual scenarios.

NDR 770 / 797 Organizational Collaborative Practice and Conflict Resolution
In today's competitive environment, organizations increasingly must cope with complexities, uncertainties, and conflict. The ability to build collaborative teams and to manage and learn from conflict effectively is critical. Students will learn techniques and approaches for organizational team building, conflict management, and process facilitation and consulting.

NDR 771 / 772 Collaboration and Conflict Resolution in Health Care
Conflicts in health care can involve poor clinical outcomes that may result in lawsuits, licensure disputes, credentialing and employment claims, and a lack of trust in the system as a whole. There is a growing need for new approaches that address system complexity, consumer needs, clinician autonomy, and quality of care. With a focus on practical application of process tools and systems design strategies, students will learn effective techniques that can be integrated into clinical settings and for managing legal and ethical issues that arise.

NDR 773 / 774 International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
International conflicts can involve states, corporations, peoples, and political factions. With applications from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including international law, business, anthropology, and political science, students will learn approaches to conflict in the context of globalization with a focus on the implications of our growing interconnectedness as both a source and solution for disputes.

NDR 775 / 776 Collaborative Practice and Conflict Resolution in Education
Diversity, change, and growth are all major issues in today's school, college, and university settings. In areas such as special needs, student services, and campus life, conflict is a growing part of the landscape. Students will learn the skill sets necessary to engage conflict in a variety of educational settings and how to collaborate with colleagues, students, parents, and community members.

Practicum (4 credits)

NDR 778
In consultation with the practicum advisor, students select a practical field experience to further develop and apply their skills in a professional or organizational setting of their choice. Working with an on-site instructor/mentor in the student's community, students will demonstrate their ability to apply theory to practice and analyze situations using knowledge gained from previous coursework.

If you'd like to find out more about the curriculum of the online Master's in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, REQUEST MORE INFORMATION or call us toll-free at 866.717.6365 to speak with an Admissions Representative.