Professional Concentration in Conflict Resolution

Mediation is often mandated in state and federal courts, and is essential in any situation when stakeholders have colliding points of view. Learn to create more collaborative dialogue and activity. Gain a firm understanding of the concepts of collaborative dialogue and the ability to demonstrate that knowledge in a broad variety of fields.

Highly qualified instructors bring extensive expertise to each course. Acquire a firm foundation in this expanding field. Learn to take the concepts of conflict resolution and apply that knowledge to effective agreement and effort.

Gain practical knowledge that matters

• Discover tools to address and resolve conflicts through better communication.
• Gain a solid understanding of the theoretical basis of conflict resolution and rich hands-on experience with conflict resolution practices.
• Explore current models of conflict resolution that are applied in interpersonal, organizational, community and international situations.
• Refine your ability to mediate, facilitate, negotiate, and build consensus and collaboration.

Designed for professionals like you

This program is designed for a broad audience—for those seeking conflict resolution skills to benefit their current careers and for those interested in a new career in conflict resolution. It is recommended for anyone interested in developing knowledge and skills in mediation, facilitation, collaborative decision-making and other forms of problem-solving and conflict resolution. The curriculum, which blends the theoretical and the practical, helps you learn to create more collaborative dialogue and action in such fields as agriculture, health, education, business, environmental planning, human resources or law.

Key features

• Courses that provide a sense of the breadth and depth of the field of conflict resolution. Our courses provide an overview of key processes of facilitation, mediation and collaborative decision-making, as well as specific skills and strategies that will help you in your workplace or practice.
• The opportunity to learn with leading practitioners. Our faculty work with a variety of federal, state and local governments, as well as public and private community organizations. What they all have in common are solid reputations as conflict resolution professionals and a strong interest in engaging with adult learners around the many critical issues and topics related to conflict resolution.
• A combination of face-to-face and distance education course delivery. This program offers you the chance to engage with fellow learners and your instructor in dynamic, face-to-face settings, and to also connect with them in the reflective space offered through online courses. Our program allows you to take courses that are scheduled at times that are convenient for you, and also to immediately apply the practical theories learned to your workplace and community.

How the program works

To earn your Professional Concentration in Conflict Resolution, you must complete five core courses and your choice of one or more electives for a total of at least nine units. The chart below shows the required and elective courses, along with the quarter in which each is offered.

You do not need to formally enroll in the program prior to taking any of these courses. Courses may be transferred into the program after official admission and acceptance.

Program costs

Total tuition for all courses in the program is approximately $3,600 according to your choice of electives. The cost does not include textbooks and other course materials, but may be tax deductible if courses maintain or improve professional skills or meet the epxress requirement of your employer. For more information about tax deductibility, visit http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics.

Quarterly schedule of courses

		UNITS	F	W	SP	SU
REQUIRED COURSES	Introduction to Mediation, Facilitation and Community Engagement	2
	Difficult Conversations	1
	Mediation	2
	Collaborative Problem-Solving	1.5
	Facilitating Group Dynamics	1
ELECTIVE COURSES	Community Involvement and Communication in Planning	2
	Effective Negotiation Strategies	3
	Ethics in the Workplace	1
	How to Work With Difficult People	0.5
	F=Fall W=Winter SP=Spring SU=Summer; Schedules subject to change Classroom format Online Learning format

Note: It is highly recommended that students take Introduction to Mediation, Facilitation and Community Engagement prior to taking the Mediation course.

Required Courses

Introduction to Mediation, Facilitation and Community Engagement

2 quarter units academic credit, X414.10. 20 AICP Hours, 20 MCLE Hours

Become a vital problem-solver in your organization or community. Build a solid foundation in the basics of conflict resolution, with specific focus on the practice of mediation, facilitation and the range of processes related to the prevention and resolution of conflict within communities. Gain an understanding of the history and interdisciplinary roots of the field, as well as the critical issues of which today’s mediators must be aware. This introduction prepares you for the remaining courses in the Professional Concentration in Conflict Resolution.

Sections of this course open for enrollment:

• Introduction to Mediation, Facilitation and Community Engagement    starts June 4

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Difficult Conversations

1 quarter units academic credit, X414.20.

Discover strategies for reducing the need to have “difficult” conversations. Increase your understanding of how the brain works and how what happens in our minds affects our conversations. Many conversations, even those that begin well, end in frustration for both parties. Examine how and why conversations become unfocused, and learn to put them back on track.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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Mediation

2 quarter units academic credit, X414.12.

The mediation process presents complex challenges for mediators and participants. Mediators must have the ability to guide complex processes and assist parties in conflict to arrive at mutually agreeable solutions. Gain an understanding of the stages of mediation: case development, convening, setting an agenda, consensus building, issue-framing and prioritizing.

Learn the communication skills required for successful mediation. Explore different mediation models and examine ethical considerations. Whether you are a seasoned mediator looking to strengthen your skills, or you are new to the field and want to develop a solid foundation in mediation processes, acquire the knowledge to better understand the complexities involved in professional mediation.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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Collaborative Problem-Solving

1.5 quarter units academic credit, X414.13. 20 AICP Hours, 20 MCLE Hours

Discover collaborative methods and techniques for problem solving and conflict resolution. Learn to find mutually agreeable solutions to challenging situations between individuals and/or organizations so projects and programs can move forward. Examine the differences among interests, issues, options and proposals, and the ways in which effective groups, facilitators and/or mediators structure and guide problem-solving processes to create acceptable results for all parties involved.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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Facilitating Group Dynamics

1 quarter units academic credit, X414.8. 10 MCLE Hours

Learn and practice the essential facilitation skills and techniques required for successful group and team meetings and other interactions. Become a vital resource, and gain the ability to create an environment where people can do their best thinking and work. Through discussions, group activities and self-assessments, learn the methods for creating a safe, productive environment and keep groups on track and focused on their goals. Acquire the skills to encourage productive working relationships.  Establish principles of ethical facilitation, discuss characteristics of effective teams, and discover how people learn and integrate information and how that affects your facilitation.

Learn and practice the essential facilitation skills and techniques required for successful group and team meetings and other interactions. Become a vital resource, and gain the ability to create an environment where people can do their best thinking and work. Through discussions, group activities and self-assessments, learn the methods of creating a safe, productive environment and keep groups on track and focused on their goals. Acquire the skills to encourage productive working relationships.  Establish principles of ethical facilitation, discuss characteristics of effective teams, and discover how people learn and integrate information and how that affects your facilitation.

Sections of this course open for enrollment:

• Facilitating Group Dynamics    starts June 1

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Elective Courses

Community Involvement and Communication in Planning

2 quarter units academic credit, X432.7. 20 MCLE Hours, 20 AICP Hours, 20 REHS Hours

Understand the theoretical background and the hands-on practice of involving stakeholders in urban planning and design decisions and natural resources policy. Practice selected communication and facilitation techniques that create mutually beneficial solutions. Examine how to assess a case situation and determine what type of public process is right for each situation. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of techniques used in public involvement.  Explore different approaches to communicating complex and technical planning information to community groups. Using several simulated negotiations, engage as stakeholders or facilitators to resolve complex public policy problems in urban planning. Examine case studies and analyze what went well, what went wrong and why.

Prerequisites:

Planning in California: Overview and Update, Urban Planning and Design Studio.

Sections of this course open for enrollment:

• Community Involvement and Communication in Planning    starts April 12

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Effective Negotiation Strategies

3 quarter units academic credit, X422.10.

Anyone negotiating with others who have strong opinions knows how difficult it can be to reach a mutually beneficial resolution. Through the use of skill-building exercises, case studies and simulations, examine the interest-based negotiation model through practical and theoretical perspectives. Focus on the interest-based process to address the different values, priorities and goals of each party. Discover how to create effective strategies and achieve win-win solutions.

Examine the principles that won President Jimmy Carter his Nobel Prize for Peace with the Camp David Accords and that create successful labor/management negotiations and enable complex multi-party, decision-making situations to be successful.

Sections of this course open for enrollment:

• Effective Negotiation Strategies    starts February 25

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Ethics in the Workplace

1 quarter units academic credit, X424.40. 10 HRCI Hours

Heighten your awareness and understanding of ethical issues in the workplace. Learn to avoid the slippery slope of an unethical work environment and gain a conceptual framework and practical strategies for making ethical and effective business decisions. You will learn when and where ethical issues are most likely to surface and how to maintain your integrity. You will also gain an understanding of the impact of cultural and organizational pressures to conform, and explore a variety of ethical decision-making models. Business experience and case studies form the core of this highly interactive course in which you will evaluate possible courses of action and respond to challenging situations.

This course is not currently scheduled.

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How to Work With Difficult People

0.5 quarter units academic credit, X414.17.

Don’t let a difficult customer, co-worker or stranger ruin your day. Practice setting limits and saying “no” to protect yourself from problem people. Learn how to manage conflict with difficult people and move toward constructive problem-solving. Receive practical, positive approaches for dealing with conflict in your daily interactions with this interactive workshop.

Develop skills in:

• Learning how difficult people think, feel and act
• Creating realistic expectations to avoid conflict
• Responding to difficult people
• Defusing emotion and creating rapport
• Handling complaints, saying “no” and delivering bad news
• Setting limits, influencing others and resolving conflicts
• Staying calm and confident under fire

This course is not currently scheduled.

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