Conflict is an everyday reality in our organizations, communities, and around the world. Learn how to transform conflict into positive change with Portland State's graduate certificate in conflict resolution.
In these programs, you'll gain an understanding of various kinds of conflict, including interpersonal, social, and global conflict, and develop depth in areas such as peace education, human rights, non-violence, and global affairs. You'll become well-grounded in both theory and practice by exploring deep philosophical issues as well as the practical application of conflict resolution in diverse contexts.
What You Learn
Students entering this program are expected to develop an understanding and appreciation of the theoretical, conceptual, and methodological breadth of the field and to develop expertise in the pursuit of their own particular interests in the study of conflict resolution.
Holders of the master's degree are prepared for leadership positions in conflict management and intervention in governmental, non-governmental, and corporate settings at the local, regional, national, and international levels. Graduate students emphasize implications of diverse perspectives, strategies and processes at the organizational and institutional level of conflict transformation and peacebuilding.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
- Advanced Knowledge: Students will demonstrate the capacity to articulate and integrate theoretical and applied knowledge in varied conflict and peace-making contexts.
- Methods: Students will demonstrate the ethical capacity to use critical, evaluative, collaborative, and engaged thinking in qualitative and/or quantitative analysis.
- Research: Students will develop the capacity to conduct ethical and effective inquiry on multiple dimensions of peace building, conflict prevention, resolution, and transformation, producing frontier knowledge relevant to the field.
- Skills: Students will develop and use a variety of strategies appropriate to diverse audiences to foster greater understanding of conflict resolution practices and principles. Students will apply skills in active listening, empathic engagement, dialogue and constructive problem-solving. Students will demonstrate successful academic and professional writing in various formats including reflective writing, presentations, research papers, case studies, and literature reviews.
- Professionalism: Students will engage with the structure of their discipline and their intended career placements as professionals, including the legal and ethical dimensions of these professions and and the responsibilities involved to a variety of stakeholders.
Degree Details
Master's of Art (MA) and Master's of Science (MS) Degrees
- The Conflict Resolution Master's Degree program consists of a minimum of 54 total credits, and are designed to be completed in two to two and a half years.
- The course of study is designed for a cohort of students to begin in the fall term each year.
- MA/MS courses: Thesis and Project Preparation Seminar, Project or Thesis.
- Read more about graduate courses.
Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution
Graduate Certificate in Applied Conflict Resolution
Graduate Certificate in Holocaust Genocide and Atrocity Prevention
- The Graduate Certificate in Holocaust Genocide and Atrocity Prevention is a 20-credit credential.
- The certificates can be "stacked," if students seek further training toward the master's.
- Required courses: Introduction to Holocaust & Genocide Studies, Constructions of Power & Knowledge, Synthesis course
- Elective courses (choose 2): Critical Methodologies, The Holocaust, Nationalism & Ethnic Conflict, Racism, Race & Sustainability, Social Justice Pedagogy, Seminar in Gender, Race & Nations. Global Feminisms, Genocide: Trauma, Law, Politics
- Read more about graduate courses.
- Certificate Planner
Each credential has a separate application and is financial aid eligible.
Course Schedule
View Upcoming Classes
Admissions
To learn more about applications and student success in Conflict Resolution, please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook. Once you read the Handbook, please reach out to conflict@pdx.edu with any questions.
Interested individuals may take courses as post-bac or non-degree-seeking students and, if admitted to the program, count up to eight credits toward degree or credential completion.
Application Deadlines
All programs have rolling admission deadlines and admit fall, winter, and spring terms. Currently, we do not admit for summer term. The application will close approximately one month before the start of the term for which you are applying and we recommend submitting application materials as far in advance as possible in order to allow time for processing. If you would like to apply and see that the application has closed in the system, please reach out to conflict@pdx.edu.
Application Fee
There is no fee to apply to any Conflict Resolution Program.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted electronically through the Graduate School.
After your application has been submitted, you will be able to log back in and monitor the status of your letters of recommendation. You can send a reminder to your recommenders, add new recommenders, or edit information about an existing recommender. Contact Graduate Admissions for information about the application process and how to login in to your application portal to view the status of your application.
Required Supplemental Materials
All supporting documents described below will be uploaded through your online application.
- Transcripts: One unofficial transcript for each post-secondary institution attended. If you are accepted into the program and decide to attend, you must submit official transcripts to the Graduate School before you can register for classes for your first term of attendance.
- Letters of Recommendation: Three letters of recommendation from individuals with whom you have studied or who know your work.
- In the application, fill out the recommender's contact information. Click on "Submit Recommendation Request" to send an automated request via email. The recommender will then receive an email with a link that they will follow to upload your letter of recommendation. You can send out these requests before submitting your application.
- Résumé/CV: A one-page resume indicating your employment background, educational accomplishments, and community experience.
- Statement of Purpose: An essay of 750 to 1000 words, please describe your interest in and goals for studying the field of conflict resolution. Be sure to describe any previous coursework, employment, or community engagement that you believe prepares you to succeed in this program.
- Writing Sample: A writing sample (up to two) that is reflective of your current writing ability, preferably from an academic or professional setting.