In today's increasingly divided world, understanding the root causes of conflict and how to peacefully resolve it are sought-after skills in many fields. Portland State's graduate certificate in applied conflict resolution can help you develop the skill-set you need to effectively approach, manage, and resolve conflict between individuals, families, and groups, organizations, even nations.
You can use the certificate as a stepping stone in your profession, or as a distinctive credential that can help you advance in your career, whether you work in education, business, government, counseling, social work, or human resources.
We combine theory and research with practical, hands-on experience, ensuring you leave the program ready to tackle conflict resolution in the real world.
You'll join a supportive cohort and be surrounded by diverse people who are constantly challenging the way you see the world.
Our faculty are active researchers and community practitioners, bringing their expertise and experience back to the classroom.
In the practicum course, you'll benefit from our faculty's areas of expertise, learn different assessment methods, and put the knowledge and skills you've learned in your coursework into action. You can work with individual community organizations or groups, or in more of a team format — even using your current employment or community connections to fulfill the requirement.
In as little as two to three terms, you can learn effective techniques for engaging and transforming disputes in organizational and community life.
PSU's certificate in applied conflict resolution can prepare you to enter or advance in fields as diverse as human resources, policing and corrections, education leadership and student services, ombuds, patient advocacy, humanitarianism, and non-governmental organizations. You'll also be prepared for jobs involving research, program development, and program evaluation.
Our alumni have gone on to positions involving negotiation, peace action and research, student services, and dispute resolution in the community and beyond.