Master of Arts Degree Program

Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management

An advanced graduate program designed to prepare professionals to analyze, manage, and resolve conflicts in interpersonal, organizational, community, national, and international settings. The program integrates negotiation strategies, mediation practices, conflict analysis, crisis communication, organizational leadership, emergency response planning, and peacebuilding approaches.

Degree Awarded

Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management

Total Program Cost

US$ 5,940

Total Credits

36 Credit Hours

Traditional Learning

18 Months

Fast-Track Learning

9–12 Months

Course Credit

3 Credit Hours

Total Program Cost

US$ 5,940

Program Overview

Analyze, Manage, and Resolve Conflict

Integrate negotiation strategies, mediation practices, conflict analysis, crisis communication, organizational leadership, emergency response planning, and peacebuilding approaches.

The Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management is an advanced graduate program designed to prepare professionals to analyze, manage, and resolve conflicts in interpersonal, organizational, community, national, and international settings. The program integrates negotiation strategies, mediation practices, conflict analysis, crisis communication, organizational leadership, emergency response planning, and peacebuilding approaches.

Students examine theories of conflict resolution, negotiation techniques, mediation processes, crisis intervention, risk assessment, communication strategies, leadership during emergencies, and methods for managing complex disputes. The curriculum emphasizes collaborative problem-solving, ethical decision-making, stakeholder engagement, resilience building, and the development of effective strategies for preventing and managing conflicts and crises.

Graduates develop advanced competencies in mediation, negotiation, conflict management, crisis leadership, communication, and organizational problem-solving, preparing them for careers in government agencies, nonprofit organizations, corporations, educational institutions, healthcare systems, international organizations, law-related fields, and community development programs.

Degree Awarded

Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management

Program Length

18 Months — Traditional Learning Track
9–12 Months — Fast-Track Learning Program

Course Credit

3 Credit Hours per Course

Program Cost

US$ 5,940
Exclusive of applicable University administrative fees

Curriculum

Required Courses

The Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management requires 36 total credits.

Course No. Course Title Credits
DRC 6000 Foundations of Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management 3
DRC 6010 Conflict Theory and Analysis 3
DRC 6020 Negotiation Strategies and Mediation Practice 3
DRC 6030 Crisis Communication and Management 3
DRC 6040 Organizational Conflict Management 3
DRC 6050 Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation 3
DRC 6060 Leadership in Crisis and Emergency Situations 3
DRC 6070 Risk Assessment and Crisis Preparedness 3
DRC 6080 Ethics, Culture, and Social Justice in Conflict Resolution 3
DRC 6090 Research Methods in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Studies 3
DRC 6100 Master's Thesis 6
Total Credits 36
Curriculum Details

Course Descriptions

Select a course to view its description.

DRC 6000 – Foundations of Dispute Resolution and Crisis Management

Introduces the concepts, theories, and practices of dispute resolution and crisis management. Students examine the nature of conflict, crisis dynamics, resolution frameworks, and the role of professionals in managing complex situations.

DRC 6010 – Conflict Theory and Analysis

Explores major theories of conflict, causes of disputes, conflict assessment methods, stakeholder analysis, and approaches for understanding individual, organizational, and social conflicts.

DRC 6020 – Negotiation Strategies and Mediation Practice

Examines negotiation models, mediation processes, communication techniques, settlement strategies, and methods for facilitating constructive conflict resolution.

DRC 6030 – Crisis Communication and Management

Focuses on communication strategies during crises, public information management, stakeholder communication, reputation protection, and effective responses to emergency situations.

DRC 6040 – Organizational Conflict Management

Explores workplace conflicts, organizational dynamics, leadership challenges, dispute prevention strategies, and methods for building collaborative environments.

DRC 6050 – Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation

Examines peacebuilding approaches, reconciliation processes, social transformation, community dialogue, and strategies for addressing long-term conflicts.

DRC 6060 – Leadership in Crisis and Emergency Situations

Explores leadership theories, decision-making under pressure, crisis coordination, resilience, and effective management during emergencies and organizational disruptions.

DRC 6070 – Risk Assessment and Crisis Preparedness

Examines risk identification, crisis planning, emergency preparedness, vulnerability assessment, and strategies for reducing organizational and community risks.

DRC 6080 – Ethics, Culture, and Social Justice in Conflict Resolution

Explores ethical principles, cultural influences, diversity considerations, human rights, and social justice issues affecting dispute resolution practices.

DRC 6090 – Research Methods in Dispute Resolution and Crisis Studies

Develops research skills in conflict and crisis studies, including research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, data analysis, and evaluation approaches.

DRC 6100 – Master's Thesis

Students complete an original research thesis addressing a significant issue in dispute resolution or crisis management, including mediation, negotiation, organizational conflict, crisis response, peacebuilding, or conflict transformation. Under faculty supervision, students conduct research, analyze complex challenges, develop solutions, and contribute knowledge to the field.

Career Pathways

Career Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for advanced conflict management, leadership, communication, and crisis response roles.

Dispute Resolution Specialist
Mediator
Conflict Resolution Consultant
Crisis Management Specialist
Emergency Management Coordinator
Crisis Communication Specialist
Organizational Development Consultant
Peacebuilding Specialist
Negotiation Consultant
Workplace Conflict Resolution Specialist
Human Resources Conflict Management Specialist
Community Relations Coordinator
Risk Management Specialist
Policy Analyst
Government Affairs Specialist
Nonprofit Program Manager
International Development Specialist
Organizational Resilience Consultant
Where Graduates Work

Employment Sectors

Graduates may pursue employment in government agencies, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, corporate organizations, human resources departments, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, emergency management agencies, community development organizations, law and mediation services, peacebuilding organizations, public policy institutions, research centers, security and risk management organizations, international development agencies, consulting firms, humanitarian organizations, and public and private sector organizations.

Government Agencies
International Organizations
Nonprofit Organizations
Corporate Organizations
Human Resources Departments
Educational Institutions
Healthcare Organizations
Emergency Management Agencies
Community Development Organizations
Law and Mediation Services
Peacebuilding Organizations
Public Policy Institutions
Research Centers
Security and Risk Management Organizations
International Development Agencies
Consulting Firms
Humanitarian Organizations
Public and Private Sector Organizations

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Cavalla International University of America is an academic institution registered in the State of Louisiana to conduct legal business and it is approved by the Board of Trustees and the Executive Leadership of the university to grant professional and academic degrees. The University adheres to the educational standards and requirements of the U.S. Department of Education and complies with the rules and regulations of the Louisiana State board of regents (department of education) regarding educational integrity and recruiting requirements for hiring qualified professors with the right academic qualification to teach.