4 Mediation and Conflict Resolution MA Degree Programs

MA in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice is a unique and innovative interdisciplinary programme taught through subject areas that include law, anthropology, English, history, philosophy, politics, psychology, sociology and the creative arts. Module choice within the programme will permit you to build your own personalised portfolio of knowledge and learning within the area of conflict transformation and social justice.

Political violence, terrorism, and civil conflict have seriously affected the lives of millions of people around the world. Moreover, the legacy of 9/11, the rise of groups like ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and the emergence of far-right groups in the West have brought questions about the nature, evolution, causes, and consequences of non-state political violence to the forefront of academic, policymaking, media, and popular debates. Similarly, security responses to these challenges feature prominently in global politics. Governments pursue security strategies to preserve order and protect their citizens. Yet many governments also participate in conflict and political violence by holding onto power and preserving systemic injustices.

The Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution encompasses theoretical practices from Conflict Resolution and International Relations and practices including negotiation, mediation, and creative peace-building to address conflict, whether it be personal, group, or international. The field, originating from theorists such as Galtung, Lederach, and Gandhi, seeks to transform the way conflict is studied and find creative mechanisms for positive change. The program emphasizes Georgetown University's dedication to diverse and inclusive study, practical training, and application.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in conflict analysis and dispute resolution (CADR) addresses the growing need for highly skilled conflict resolution practitioners to work within judicial, governmental, social services, and private sector systems. This is a quickly growing field, with governments and corporations increasingly using mediation and other conflict resolution processes in their day-to-day operations. The M.A. in CADR program educates and trains graduate-level students from around the globe to address social and organizational conflicts on the local, regional, state, national, and international levels in the public and private sectors. The program teaches students to approach conflict as an opportunity for change and growth; it empowers them with the knowledge and advanced skills needed to become conflict resolution practitioners and work effectively in this field.