Program Overview

Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA

The Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Resolution is a degree program that focuses on preparing students to create and maintain cross-cultural connections in a world where the ability to collaborate and solve problems across international barriers is increasingly important. To achieve this, students must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in a foreign language.

Major Requirements

• Total credits: 120
• Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor's degrees, including Mason Core requirements.
• Students majoring in Conflict Analysis and Resolution must complete college-level requirements for foreign language proficiency and 52 major requirement credits for the BA degree.

Required Core Courses

Field Experience

Students can choose to fulfill this requirement through an internship, study abroad, field experience course, or independent study. Prior departmental approval is required for students to receive credit through any field experience options.

Skills and Practice

This requirement can be fulfilled by taking any four credits from a specified list of courses. Students are encouraged to have more than one field experience and may count an additional 3 credits from a second field experience toward the skills and practice requirement.

Concentrations

There are eight concentrations available:

1. Building Peace in Divided Societies (BPDS): Focuses on how divided societies seek to transform relationships and situations of violence and injustice.
2. Global Engagement (GLBE): Examines the dynamics and impact of global conflict resolution.
3. Political and Social Action (PSA): Explores social action, social organization, social movements, and civil resistance.
4. Justice and Reconciliation (JRCN): Encompasses a spectrum of coursework including legal dimensions of human rights, trauma, memory, healing, conflict transformation, and forms of restorative justice.
5. Interpersonal Dynamics (INTD): Focuses on the dynamics of social interaction that lead to interpersonal conflict.
6. Collaborative Leadership (CLDR): Improves the capacity of leaders to work with conflict and manage change.
7. Environmental Conflict and Collaboration (EVCC): Uses a variety of conflict resolution processes to address environmental issues.
8. Individualized Concentration (IND): Allows students to create their own concentration with the help of an advisor.

BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution without Concentration

Students may opt to complete their major in Conflict Analysis and Resolution without a concentration. They must complete the conflict resolution core and 18 credits of conflict coursework selected from a specified list.

Foreign Language Proficiency

Students must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in one foreign language. This requirement may be fulfilled by successfully completing a foreign language course numbered 202 or higher.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

All Mason students are required to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their major at the 300-level or above. CONF 302 Culture, Identity, and Conflict (Mason Core) has been designated "writing intensive."

Electives

Remaining credits needed to bring the degree total to 120 may be fulfilled with general elective courses.

Mason Core

Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.

Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Resolution Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study is provided to guide students in sequencing their courses. This plan is a recommendation and may not fit every student's needs.

Conflict Analysis and Resolution, BA or BS/Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Accelerated MS

This accelerated Master's option is designed for highly qualified and motivated undergraduate students. If accepted, students may take up to 18 credits of graduate coursework before undergraduate degree conferral and will be able to earn an undergraduate degree and the Conflict Analysis and Resolution, MS after satisfactory completion of at least 141 credits.

Overview

The accelerated Master's option provides a streamlined MS application process with no additional application fee. It is typically completed in five years.

Application Requirements

For specific application requirements and information, see Eligibility, Policies, and Deadlines. Applicants must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25 is required at the time of application.

Accelerated Master's Requirements

• A maximum of 12 credits will count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• At the time of the undergraduate degree conferral, students' GPAs must meet the standard required for admission to the master's degree.
• Students should meet with a Carter School Academic Advisor to discuss how the courses may count towards degree requirements.