Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Ph.D.

The doctoral program, the first of its kind in the United States, provides advanced study for students in the fields of conflict and conflict resolution. Students are prepared for careers as researchers, theoreticians, and teachers in higher education, and as policy administrators, analysts, and consultants in both the public and private sectors.

The program stresses a close link between knowledge of theory and of process in the resolution of conflict. For this, training in the methods of research and analysis is necessary and is emphasized. In addition, students are expected to obtain a background in a substantive area of conflict, usually related to the topic of the dissertation.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the three requirements listed for applicants to the M.S. program, requirements for the Ph.D. program include a written sample of work that shows the applicant's potential for completing dissertation research in a doctoral program. Although students may enroll on a full- or parttime basis, entry into the program is in the fall semester only.

Degree Requirements

For students with a master's degree, a total of 57 credits are required. The semester in which courses are usually offered is indicated in parentheses.

Required Core Doctoral Courses
Students take 24 credits of required course work; each course is 3 credits.

• CONF 703 Conceptions of Practice or CONF 713 Interpersonal and Intergroup Conflict
• CONF 801 Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution
• CONF 802 Micro Theories
• CONF 803 Macro Theories
• CONF 810 Philosophy of the Social Sciences
• CONF 811 Advanced Research Methods I *
• CONF 812 Advanced Research Methods II
• CONF 900 Integrating Theory, Practice, and Method in Conflict Analysis (spring)

Selective Courses
Students must take 2 (6 credits) of the following:

• CONF 601, 701, 702, 709, 901 Advanced theory
• CONF 703, 714, 715 Advanced practice
• CONF 795 Advanced methods

Elective Courses
A total of 15 credits of electives from among any appropriate graduate courses is required, provided that one is in the diversity, cultural, and regional area of study (72X series), one is in the structural or institutional conflict area of study (73X series), and one is in the conflict analysis and resolution area of study (74X series). The intent is for students to build an area of study and skills that will be needed in their dissertation work. These courses are to be completed before comprehensive exams.

CONF 695, 795, and 895 can be repeated for credit as electives.

Directed Readings
Only two directed readings (CONF 897) may normally be applied toward doctoral elective requirements.

Dissertation Units
CONF 998 (up to 6 credits) Doctoral Dissertation Proposal**; CONF 999 (up to 12 credits) Doctoral Dissertation Research***for a total of 12 credits.

* CONF 811 has a prerequisite, "demonstrated competence in social statistics." This means that the entering student may be required to take an advanced course in statistics, STAT 510 (fall) or STAT 550 (spring), before registering for CONF 811. Such a course is not, however, counted toward the total credits needed for the degree.

** All CONF 998 courses are graded In Progress (IP) until completion of the proposal. At that time an appropriate grade is issued.

***All CONF 999 courses are graded In Progress (IP) until the dissertation defense is successfully completed. At that time an appropriate grade is issued.

Credit for Prior Study

Students with an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University may have the course total required for doctoral degree, reduced by up to 18 credits. The actual number of the credit reduction is determined in consultation with the student's advisor and the program coordinator, after a review of courses taken.

Students entering with graduate credit or degrees (M.A., M.S. or J.D.) may have required course load reduced by up to 15 credits. The actual number of applied credits is determined in consultation with the student's advisor and the program coordinator, after a review of courses taken.

Entering the Doctoral Program without a Master's Degree

Students may be admitted to the doctoral program directly without completion of a relevant master's degree (in conflict analysis and resolution or a related field). Such students are required to take 15 additional hours of credit at the beginning of their doctoral course of study, including: CONF 601, 720 or 730 or 740, and 799.

Foreign Language Requirement

Every doctoral student must show competence in a foreign language (that is, a language other than the native tongue), preferably before "comps." This requirement must be completed before beginning the dissertation. On no account are dissertations accepted without evidence of meeting this requirement. Overseas students may use English as their foreign language and the TOEFL examination as a demonstration of competency. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages has ruled that American Sign Language or computer languages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.

Advancement to Ph.D. Candidacy

Upon completing course work (except dissertation) listed on the Program of Studies and passing written comprehensive exams, students will be advanced to candidacy. A candidate is permitted six years from the advancement date to complete the dissertation.