Peacemaking Studies: Conflict Resolution and Mediation Minor

Minor in Peacemaking Studies: Conflict Resolution and Mediation (18 credit hours)

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), through the Office of the Dean, offers an interdisciplinary minor in Peacemaking Studies. The minor is an interdisciplinary program that draws from four disciplines in the college: Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology. The program’s focus is on conflict resolution and the mediation process. Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process that employs a neutral third party as a mediator to help disputing parties make decisions that concern the future of the dispute and lead to an agreement. Conflict resolution is a strategy used to resolve disputes among two or more parties. The minor prepares students for mediation in a wide variety of settings, including social service, business, health services, and education. Students able to demonstrate fluency in languages other than English can receive certification from the Department of Foreign Languages that they have the skills to work in the relevant bilingual context. The program is managed by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences (Criminal Justice, International Studies, Psychology, and Social Work), the College of Pharmacy, The College of Business, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Education. Accelerated courses are offered over the summer to facilitate matriculation for those students whose regular schedule accommodates only courses for the major. The minor requires students to complete 18 credit hours distributed as follows.