Frequently Asked Questions

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The program seems to have an international orientation only indirectly, is that true?

Yes, the master’s degree is designed to stand out as separate from what is currently offered at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. The core focus of the program is negotiation and conflict resolution, which includes an introductory section devoted to building a foundation and developing a common language amongst all the students. In the second and third phases of the program students will have opportunities to specialize in their areas of interest and those with an international orientation will be supported to select course that reflect and support this international focus.

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What kind of practical experiences does the program support?

The program brings together the best of many years of Columbia University’s work in the area of conflict resolution, so it has access to networks of partners around New York City and the metropolitan area, as well as internationally in a variety of sectors stretching from schools and education to global corporations, from the municipal government to the United Nations. These networks will provide access to internships and other opportunities that will inform students as they gain practical experience in the field.

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How is this program different from the International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution certificate program at Teachers College?

The first and most important difference between the M.S. program and the Teacher’s College certificate program is that the M.S. program is much more intense, requires more credits, and leads to a degree. The master’s program requires more than twice as many credits and provides for specific areas of concentration that the certificate program doesn’t offer. Master’s degree students can take courses across the University to satisfy their concentration requirements. The two programs are complementary and part of the ACCCR. Students need to seriously consider the advantages and challenges of both before making their final decisions.

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I have a background in labor relations. Is this program the right match for me?

Yes, if your focus is negotiation and conflict resolution. There has been much research on ways to resolve labor dispute issues constructively and it is certainly a growing sector in the field of conflict resolution. The master’s program includes opportunities to specialize in areas of interest, including labor relations.

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Does the M.S. program collaborate with other Columbia schools, such as the School of Social Work?

Yes, the master’s program is an outgrowth of the conflict resolution programs and inter-school collaborations already in existence within the Columbia University system. The ICCCR at Teachers College has had a long-term relationship with the School of Social Work. The master’s program creates opportunities to strengthen this relationship even further by including social work as one area of specialization in the program.

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What kinds of professions might require this kind of degree?

There are no specific professional profiles that would require this particular degree the same way a J.D. would be required to be a lawyer or an M.D. is required to be a physician. However, understanding negotiation and conflict resolution is a core necessity and asset for any profession that includes sustaining relationships and other dynamics of interpersonal, organizational, community-based, international and intercultural life.

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Does the curriculum focus on mediation and preparing students for professional positions as mediators?

The program is not strictly focused on mediation per se, yet a person successfully concluding the master’s degree will be in a position to perform the functions of a mediator effectively and properly. The person would also be in a position to consider her/his professional alternatives, including starting her/his own practice as a mediator, or working as a mediator for an organization.

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What is the role of an ombudsman and how is it going to be covered in the degree program’s curriculum?

Ombudsmen are increasingly important in many organizations and higher educational institutions allowing a constructive process that allows for crucial clarification of communication, roles, responsibilities and other factors and leads toward the resolution of internal disputes. Columbia University has a rich tradition of ombudsmanship, and the M.S. program is evaluating the possibility of making this one area of specialization in its curriculum. In addition, we will integrate key aspects of ombudsman work into the core curriculum.

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What is the role of the core curriculum?

The core curriculum is meant to create a foundation and common language among the students and between students and faculty. It is also designed to facilitate the peer-to-peer relations that will strengthen the cohort of the incoming class. Supporting the growth and collegiality of talented and dedicated students is in fact as important as the conversations and support received by faculty. The core curriculum is the basis for any further development and for the exploration of each student’s interests and areas of specialization.

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What kind of specializations does the program support?

Currently, the specializations in the intermediate core curriculum are:

  • Conflict resolution in organizations
  • Negotiation
  • Mediation
  • International and transnational systems
  • Conflict resolution and dynamical systems
  • Information technology
  • Conflict Resolution in healthcare
  • Environment, conflict, and resolution strategies
  • Education
  • Social work
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Is it possible to have a research component?

Yes. Research is not only possible but desirable. The Columbia University institutions that have come together to design and implement the master’s program are dedicated to research and have formed the Advanced Consortium on Cooperation and Conflict Research (ACCCR) that will coordinate the research activities of faculty and students. As professionals in the field of conflict resolution it is important to understand and use existing research effectively, in addition to perhaps conducting original research of your own. As practitioners in the field it is also important to understand and use effective assessment and evaluation methods and tools.

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Will I be able to take courses from other schools at Columbia?

Yes. This is one of the greatest benefits of the master’s program at Columbia University. Students can earn their degree by taking courses in the master’s program’s curriculum, as well as taking electives from other Schools and programs across Columbia University. We are designing the master’s program in Conflict Resolution specifically to allow students pursuing specializations to take courses outside the program that match their interests, desires, and career plans.

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Is the program really designed for people working full-time?

All master’s degree programs offered by the School of Continuing Education are designed for students who work full-time. Conflict Resolution courses are offered in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate students who work during the week.

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What is the M.S. project?

The M.S. project allows students to integrate their learning into an actual work environment in which they can apply what they have learned in the program. Learning through discussions and receiving and providing feedback is expected to enhance the experience for students in the program.

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