Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution
The Ph.D. program in Conflict Analysis and Resolution trains students in the skills and techniques of practice, interdisciplinary research, policy and program development, historical critique, cultural analysis, and theoretical foundations of the field. The mission of the doctoral program is to advance the study and practice of conflict analysis and resolution by mentoring and developing practitioners trained in theory, practice, research, teaching, and informed leadership in the field. Students pursue an in-depth study in the field of conflict resolution while drawing from a variety of theoretical perspectives and the knowledge of an experienced, interdisciplinary faculty.
The 76-credit hour degree program is designed to prepare graduate students for careers as advanced practitioners, college and university educators, researchers, theoreticians, consultants, program evaluators, and organization administrators. The Ph.D. program is offered in both residential and distance learning formats. These flexible formats allow mid-career working adults and those unable to attend the on-campus program, to study conflict resolution in a creative, rigorous, and structured fashion. The distance learning Ph.D. program is one of the few offered nationally in the fields of peacemaking and conflict resolution. Students enrolled in the distance learning program participate in Residential Institutes on the main campus twice per year, as well as online Web-based courses.
The Ph.D. program focuses on improving skills for reflective practice, understanding, and mastering qualitative and quantitative research knowledge and analysis, developing professional leadership skills, and producing publications of quality and substance.
In addition to core courses, students may pursue concentrations in the following areas:
- Community-based conflict
- Conflict in Organizations
- Global Conflict
- Interpersonal Conflict
Program Curriculum | Total Credits: 76
Core Courses - (54 Credits)
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
| CARD 5000 | Foundations and Development of Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies | 3 |
| CARD 5040 | Communication Dynamics in Dispute Resolution: The Human Factor | 3 |
| PRACTICE: select 3 (9 credits) of the following: | ||
| CARD 5100 | Mediation Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CARD 5140 | Negotiation Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CARD 6140 | Facilitation Theory and Practice | 3 |
| CARD 7020 | Systems Design: History and Contemporary Practice | 3 |
| CARD 7500 | Teaching and Training | 3 |
| THEORY: select 3 (9 credits) of the following: | ||
| CARD 6120 | Culture and Conflict: Cross-Cultural Prerspectives | 3 |
| CARD 7040 | Theories of Conflict and Conflict Resolution I | 3 |
| CARD 7050 | Theories of Conflict and Conflict Resolution II | 3 |
| CARD 7250 | Public Policy | 3 |
| RESEARCH METHODS: select all 4 courses (12 credits) | ||
| CARD 7090 | Quantitative Research I: Methods and Tools | 3 |
| CARD 7100 | Quantitative Research II: Analysis and Statistics | 3 |
| CARD 7110 | Qualitative Research Methods I | 3 |
| CARD 7120 | Qualitative Research Methods II | 3 |
| PRACTICUM: select 2 (6 credits) of the following: | ||
| CARD 6130 | Practicum I: Supervised Field Experience | 3 |
| CARD 6624 | Advanced Practicum | 3 |
| CARD 6625 | Global Practicum | 3 |
| CARD 7510 | Teaching and Training Practicum | 3 |
(1 Credit)
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
| CARD 7001 | Doctoral Seminar | 1 |
(12 Credits or more)
Course Number |
Course Name |
Credit Hours |
| CARD 7901 | Dissertation Preparation | 3 |
| CARD 7900 | Dissertation | 3 |
| CARD 7900 | Dissertation | 3 |
| CARD 7900 | Dissertation | 3 |
(21 Credits)
Students are required to complete 21 credit hours. For a complete list of elective courses, please see the HCAS catalog.Below is a sample of a degree plan. Degree plans will be modified based on a student's pace of study.
Sample Degree Plan
| YEAR | FALL (AUGUST) | WINTER (JANUARY) | SUMMER (MAY) |
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| Year 2 |
Preliminary Review - Refer to the HCAS Graduate Catalog
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| Year 3 |
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Qualifying Exam - Refer to the HCAS Graduate Catalog
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| Year 4 |
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| Year 5 |
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Graduation & Celebration |
Please note: After a total of 12 dissertation credits are completed, if necessary, students will register for 1 credit of dissertation per term until the student successfully defends the dissertation.
Program Formats
The Ph.D. program is offered in both residential and distance learning formats. Students who take 9 credits per trimester can expect to complete the program's coursework in 2 ½ years, followed by a dissertation. Students who take 6 credits per trimester will complete the program's coursework in 4 years, followed by a dissertation. Courses are offered during 3 terms a year: Fall, Winter, and Summer.
Students taking distance learning classes are required to attend two Residential Institutes (RI) per academic year. Each RI is 5 days. Currently, the RIs are held in the fall and winter, in February and late September or October. Please visit the Residential Institute page for current information.
Doctoral students are provided NSU computer accounts including email and Canvas but must obtain their own Internet service providers, use their own computer systems, and have a usable web camera. Distance learning students use the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and other information, and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods are based on the use of Canvas as a course management system. Online activities facilitate frequent student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. They are supported by threaded discussion boards, whiteboards, chat rooms, email, and multimedia presentations. In addition, Canvas enables students to submit assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their professors' reviews of assignments online in the same formats.
Transferring Credits
Applicants to our Ph.D. program can transfer up to 15 credits from a Masters's degree in a related field.
Joint Degree
The Department of Conflict Resolution Studies will accept credits from the J.D. program offered through the Shepard Broad College of Law and apply them towards the Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. The Conflict Analysis and Resolution Ph.D. program will accept 6 credits. Students must complete both programs to obtain the dual credits.
Students must seek admission independently to both the Department of Conflict Resolution Studies housed in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the Shepard Broad College of Law.
M.S./Ph.D. - CONFLICT RESOLUTION STUDIES
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
THURSDAY, MARCH 4 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
| 1 | Completed NSU Graduate Application and $50 Non-refundable Application Fee |
| 2 |
Official transcripts from all colleges or universities you attended need to be mailed directly to Enrollment Processing Services (EPS), including agency evaluation of foreign degrees for determination of U.S. equivalence (including Canadian transcripts). International Students should visit the Office of International Affairs for further information. |
| 3 | An admissions essay, 500-1,000 words. This essay should tell us why you are interested in the program to which you are applying for, as well as your professional goals, your assessment of your abilities to manage the challenges of graduate school, and any other information you would like to provide. |
| 4 | An academic writing sample (it can be an academic paper, submitted journal writing, or a piece of professional writing). |
| 5 | Submit (3) Letters of Recommendation |
| 6 | Minimum master's program GPA of 3.5. |
| 7 | A resume or curriculum vita |
| 8 |
For non-native English speakers and graduates of foreign institutions (where English is not the primary language instruction). Demonstrate English-language proficiency is required through one of the following options:
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Urszula Strawinska Zanko, Ph.D.
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Judith McKay
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Nicole ChavannesAssistant Director
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The Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution program enrolls new students every fall and has a course delivery method allowing students to complete the program within (5-6) years. The academic courses are delivered both online, virtual, and on-campus delivery.
ENTRY TERM (START) |
DEADLINE DATE |
| Fall 2021 | July 24, 2021 |