The Advantages To Earning A Dispute Resolution Degree
An online dispute resolution program provides students with an interest in the field one of the best means of acquiring the skills, knowledge, and training necessary to meet professional, personal, and educational goals. Earning a degree in dispute resolution provides individuals with a broad understanding of the skills necessary to resolve and find resolution to conflicts in a growing field.
As many students manage job or family responsibilities while pursuing a degree, many colleges and universities have recognized the demand for online courses and responded with innovative online programs. Most online degree programs offer students virtually the same educational experiences as their traditional, on-campus counterparts. Online courses generally consist of groups of 25 students who have 24 hour access to class materials, instruction, and information. Online courses provide students with an added benefit of one on one chats via Internet with instructors and other classmates. Online courses also have an added benefit of increasingly flexible course scheduling ms. Online degree programs provide students with a great opportunity to advance educational goals from nearly any location while gaining the knowledge necessary for future career success.
What Students Learn Within An Online Dispute Resolution Degree Program
An online dispute resolution degree program provides students with the knowledge necessary to work as an arbitrator, mediator, or conciliator within various sectors including law enforcement, human resources, or social work. A degree in dispute resolution gives individuals a well rounded understanding of mediation, negotiation, and conflict management theory.
Courses at a bachelor degree level include: negotiation and conflict resolution; online dispute resolution; dynamics of conflict resolution, systems and consulting for conflict specialists; culture, gender and power differences in conflict; conflict specialist ally roles: advocate, organizer, strategist, coach; mediation; organizational collaborative practice and conflict resolution, collaboration and conflict resolution in health care; international negotiation and conflict resolution; negotiation strategies; arbitration; medication skills training; divorce mediation; sociology; psychology; interpersonal communications; international relations; organizational behavior; and collaborative practice and conflict resolution in education.
Individuals who complete a bachelor degree in dispute resolution may advance to employment or higher degree programs. Courses at a master’s level include: philosophy of conflict resolution, mediation training; perspectives on conflict resolution; cognitive and social psychology; organizational conflict; international relations; psychology of conflict; interpersonal relations; negotiation, bargaining and persuasion; foundations in peaceful conflict resolution; theories and practices in organizational conflict; adjudication and courts; research methodology; cross cultural dynamics in conflict resolution; mediation skills; facilitation; professionalism in practice; arbitration and hybrid processes; and drafting settlement agreements.
Graduates from a master degree program in dispute resolution may advance to employment or doctoral degree programs to become experts in the field. Courses at a doctoral level include: foundations and development of conflict resolution and peace studies; communication dynamics in dispute resolution: the human factor; quantitative research, analysis, and statistics; mediation theory and practice; theories of conflict and conflict resolution; facilitation theory and practice; systems design, history, and contemporary practice; theories of conflict and conflict resolution; cultural perspectives of culture and conflict; quantitative research methods and tools; negotiation theory and practice; and public policy. Graduates from a doctoral degree program qualify as experts within the field of dispute resolution.
Prospective Jobs For Graduates With A Dispute Resolution Degree Program
Graduates who complete a dispute resolution degree generally work as arbitrators, mediators, or conciliators within fields like human services, social work, or law enforcement. Graduates with dispute resolution degrees may specialize their education to work as union representatives, labor relations specialists, labor relations representatives, or even attorneys. Graduates with a dispute resolution degree generally act as neutrally to assist disputing parties in finding settlements within private hearings within offices or conference rooms. Qualified professionals with dispute resolution degrees may work within private sector, governmental, or non profit agencies. Other professionals in the field of dispute resolution may work from home and travel to sites to meet with clients. Graduates with master’s or doctoral degrees may work within universities and colleges as professors or within research facilities.
Salaries For Graduates With Dispute Resolution Degrees
Earnings for graduates with dispute resolution degrees are dependent upon factors like geographic location, level of education, organization of employment, work related experience, and areas of specialty. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates growth within the field of dispute resolution to increase through 2018. Graduates with a bachelor degree generally begin as entry level dispute resolution professionals with earnings beginning at $39,470 annually. Graduates with a master’s degree generally have greater job responsibilities with higher salaries as dispute resolution professionals with earnings ranging from $76,105 to $133,615 annually depending upon organization of employment. Graduates with doctoral degrees in dispute resolution have significantly higher earnings than those with lesser degrees.
Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Graduates With A Dispute Resolution Degree
A dispute resolution degree often qualifies an individual to work as a professional within a growing field. As many parties prefer to avoid formal litigation and the demand for arbitration and mediation is expected to rise, graduates from the field of dispute resolution may expect to find many job opportunities. Graduates from a dispute resolution program may expect plenty of employment opportunities as the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) predicts job growth to increase at a faster than average rate in comparison to other occupations. Graduates who obtain higher degrees, specialize training, or gain on the job experience are generally preferred over candidates with less education and training. Candidates who refine education through a variety of specialization or certification programs or who continue education generally increase their opportunities at finding jobs which lead to long lasting careers. Competition for jobs in the field of dispute resolution is expected to be high as the turnover rate for qualified professionals is quite low per reports from the BLS.
