STUDENT HANDBOOK Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution

STUDENT HANDBOOK Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution

Mission Bethel University s School of Conflict Resolution (*licensed from The Institute for Conflict Resolution, LLC) educates and equips graduates to be professionals who engage families, businesses, civil and religious institutions, and organizations to resolve conflict. About the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution Program The Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution prepares baccalaureate graduates and professionals from various disciplines with current study, practical application and training in mediation, negotiation, conciliation and reconciliation. The Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution is a thirty-nine hour master s degree. The Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution educates, trains, grooms and prepares the graduate for immediate employment or practice as a Mediator or similar Conflict Resolution Professional positions within Public and Private Sector organizations. The Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution is a professional, practical course of study. All faculty (full- and part-time) are conflict resolution practitioners in one or more professional calling (Law, Mediation, Social Work, Education, Mental Health, Clergy, Accountancy, Human Resource Management, etc.). Faculty mentors partner with students to address issues relative to the course of study and the practice of dispute resolution. The faculty-student partnership will result in the completion of this practitioner program and the graduate being fully prepared to practice conflict intervention, resolution and management. Page 1 of 7

Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution Admission Criteria and Procedures 1. Graduates with Baccalaureate degrees (or higher) from accredited institutions are encouraged to apply. 2. Applicants who possess advanced degrees are welcome to apply. 3. Admission application acceptance deadline is two weeks prior to the beginning of each Cohort start date. 4. Applicants must complete an application form, which can be found online at BethelCR.net. The application is available in PDF format, and interested students may also apply online. 5. Applicants must submit the following in order to complete the application process: a. MACR Admissions Application. b. $75.00 non-refundable application fee shall be paid by the applicant and payable to Bethel University / MACR. c. Official transcripts of all baccalaureate and Unofficial graduate work sent from the degree granting institutions. Electronic transmissions are accepted. No student copies will be accepted. d. Graduate Entrance Examination. Applicants with an Undergraduate Cummulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and Applicants who possess a conferred, accredited Advanced Degree (Master or higher) will be exempt from the Graduate Entrance Examination requirement. Applicants who do not possess a conferred, accredited Advanced Degree with an Undergraduate Cummulative GPA below 3.0 must take and pass the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) to be considered for admission to the MACR program. e. Official identification: All Applicant's must provide, with the completed MACR Admissions Application: 1. Valid Driver License and Social Security Card; or 2. Valid Passport. Page 2 of 7

Transfer of Hours/Courses Transfer of credit for prior graduate coursework will be assessed on an individual basis. No credit will be awarded or transferred to apply for the certificates of completion in TSC Rule 31 Family or General Civil Mediation and Domestic Violence training, or any State's professional licensure or certification training. No course work below a grade of B will be accepted for transfer and a maximum of six hours will be considered for transfer to the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution. Classifications of Admission 1. Graduate Student: An applicant who has met all requirements for admission. 2. Provisional Admission: A student who has been admitted conditionally and must meet academic prerequisites for admission. 3. Transfer Student: A student currently enrolled or has successfully completed at least 3 hours of graduate course work in related coursework. A student admitted conditionally may be granted regular admission status only after completing one term in academic good standing (GPA at or above a 3.0). Enrollment You will be appointed a student advisor after admission into the program. Your advisor will assist you with course registration, course calendar questions, academic standing, and other related issues. Courses are taken in ascending, sequential order. Students are not permitted to enroll in multiple courses simultaneously. Re-Enrollment Students leaving the program through withdrawal or academic suspension may request readmission by writing a letter to the Director. Attendance Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution Students admitted to the Master of Artrs in Conflcit Resollutino can be admitted in one of the following categories: Face-to-face students must be in attendance at all class meetings at the designated location and for the entire, designated times. Students missing more than one class meeting per course will be suspended from the Program immediately and may be dismissed from the Program permanently. Online students must log into the online classroom in sufficient fashion to insure timely submission of all assignments, assessments and other coursework requirements as provided for in the Course Syllabus and Lesson Plan for each course. All online students are required to attend and complete a five-day residential program for successful completion of the Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution. Page 3 of 7

Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution Financial Information Tuition and Fees 1. The program of study includes thirteen (13) courses. 2. Each course is worth 3 graduate semester hours each. 3. The tuition for each course is $500.00 per graduate semester hour. 4. Tuition covers course materials including texts, required reprints and articles. Reimbursement Policy 1. No refunds will be made for each course completed. 2. Refunds will be given up to the third class of the enrolled course and the refund will be up to and not exceed 50% of the tuition of the course. Applying for Financial Aid Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) by: Applying online at www.studentloans.gov or completing a hard-copy FAFSA and mailing it to Bethel University. Enter Bethel s school code: 003480 You must file a FAFSA for every year that you are attending classes. A new FAFSA can be completed after January 1 of each year. Page 4 of 7

Academic Policies Master of Arts Degree in Conflict Resolution Face-to-face students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution will register for one (3) hour course at a time. Each course will meet every other week, and on Saturday. Online students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution will register for one (3) hour course at a time. Each course will meet every other week, and on Saturday. There are no class meetings for online students, rather a five-day residential requirement prior to completion of the program. The grading scale is a 4.0 (A) system. Students must maintain a minimum of 3.0 (B) and complete the Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution with a 3.0 GPA to successfully graduate. No more than 2 C s will be allowed for the entire program. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on scholastic probation and will be given the opportunity to complete the next two successive courses in order to restore a GPA of 3.0. If a GPA of 3.0 is not restored the student s admission to the program will be terminated. Students may be re-admitted but must repeat the courses passed with a C and pass those courses with a B or better. Once the GPA is restored to 3.0 the student will be re-admitted to graduate student status. A degree-seeking student must repeat any graduate course in which a grade lower than C was earned. No course with a final grade lower than C may be counted for credit toward master s degree requirements. The most recent grade will be used for computation of the grade point average; however, the previouslyearned grade will remain on the record. Any candidate receiving an F in a graduate course must initiate a meeting with their advisor prior to confirming registration for the next term. Grades of I are given by instructors in extreme cases which involve illness and other matters that are beyond the control of the student. The students have six weeks after the end of the semester to complete their assigned work. At the end of that time the I becomes and F. Students are placed on academic probation if the semester ends with a grade of I. No students can graduate with an I on their transcript, even if the course is not a required course. Academic Appeal The appeals process must first start at step one: discuss the grade with the professor. Any grievance concerning grades, competencies, course syllabi, absence from class, or other academic matter should be discussed with the instructor first and then proceed to the Director of the Program. If the grievance is not resolved satisfactorily with the teacher or director, the next step is to register the complaint within five (5) days of student s notification of the decision in question in writing to the Dean of Graduate School. If the offense is not resolved, the student may petition within 48 hours. A graduate candidate is a student who has successfully and satisfactorily completed the first twelve courses of the Program. Students will receive a full graduate experience by being exposed to a variety of teaching styles including a competent and diverse faculty. Should you need to completely withdraw from the program, you will need to notify your advisor (in writing only) in order to complete the appropriate paperwork. If a student has not attended class or participated in a class for at least 10 days, he or she will be administratively withdrawn from the program. Page 5 of 7

Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution Courses & Descriptions CR 500 Conflict Theory and Conflict Resolution (3 Hours) Philosophical and theoretical concepts of conflict and conflict resolution are examined. Additionally, psychosocial factors are examined that can contribute to conflict and to dispute resolutions. CR 501 Theories of Communication and Interpersonal Dynamics (3 Hours) Interpersonal, intra-psychic and cultural dynamics that contribute to conflict and can contribute to dispute resolution are explored. Communication skill development and cultural factors are center pieces of this course. CR 502 Mediation Theory and Practice (3 Hours) Students examine theoretical framework of mediation and the function of the neutral in a variety of settings and issues. Case studies and the impact and influence of values placed on perceived resources are a focus of this course. CR 503 Ethics in Dispute Resolution (3 Hours) Code(s) of conduct that guide the practice and behavior of the neutral, negotiator and arbitrator are examined. Case studies and ethical dilemmas are studied to prepare the student for a variety of complex issues. CR 504 Negotiation Theory, Practice and ADR Negotiation Principles and Practice (3 Hours) Theoretical framework for negotiation is studied and students are included in actual mediation and negotiation sessions. This course provides students with opportunities to observe the neutral in practice. CR 505 Professional Practice Evaluation (3 Hours) Research methods principles and practices necessary for practice evaluation are studied. Additionally, data gathering and analysis is examined and prerequisite for CR 512 Thesis. CR 506 Personal Injury and Product Liability (3 Hours) The course focuses on case studies and provides students with training to mediate disputes involving unresolved claims concerning services and products in various industries and professions. Page 6 of 7

CR 507 Conciliation and Reconciliation (3 Hours) The philosophical and practical distinctions between conciliation and reconciliation are explored. Acts of conciliation are behaviors that contribute to reconciliation. Reconciliation is the enduring healing process that promotes satisfaction in relationships in marriages, friendships, business, organizations, races and governments. The intent of this course transcends quid pro quo on win-win strategies for conflict resolution. CR 508 Settlement & Dispute Resolution Conference(s) (3 Hours) Students will be introduced to factors that contribute to judicial disputes and the role of the neutral in mediating impasses in adjudicated cases. CR 509 Family Business Dispute Resolution (3 Hours) A Family Systems perspective of family business conflict is introduced to students. Standards of best practice utilized by professionals to assist families, stabilize tensions or crisis are reviewed. CR 510 Dispute Resolution with Systems of Private, Public and Higher Education (3 Hours) Case studies involving disputes regarding disciplinary actions, special education and student civil rights are studied. Practical exercises and live observation are employed in this course. CR 511 Trauma, Crisis and Domestic Violence (3 Hours) Current data and standards of intervention are reviewed. The role of the neutral is examined. The psychological effects of emotional, verbal, physical and sexual abuse and how such experiences impact dispute and influence dispute resolution are core elements of this course. CR 512 Corporate Conflict & Executive Solutions (3 Hours) Corporations experience conflict in every department and at every level of the structure. Students study the nature of workplace conflict and the impact of leadership on the company s culture. Executive solutions is a system of top-down conflict resolution that aids the company s top executives strategic planning for viability and sustainability. Page 7 of 7