THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CONFLICT
ANALYSIS AND RESOLUTION - Ph.D.
- Description
- Degree Requirements
- Required Core Doctoral Courses
- Elective Courses
- Directed Readings
- Dissertation Units
- Credit For Prior Study
- Foreign Language Requirement
- Advancement to Ph.D. Candidacy
Description
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.
Degree Requirements
For students with a master's degree, a total of 57 credits are required.
Required Core Doctoral Courses
CONF 713 Interpersonal and Intergroup Conflict - 3 credits
CONF 801 Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution - 3 credits
CONF 802 Micro Theories - 3 credits
CONF 803 Macro Theories - 3 credits
CONF 810 Philosophy of the Social Sciences - 3 credits
CONF 811 Advanced Research Methods I * - 3 credits
CONF 812 Advanced Research Methods II - 3 credits
CONF 900 Integrating Theory/Practice/Method in Conflict Analysis (Spr) 3 credits
Total 24
* 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.
Elective Courses
Twenty one elective credits must be completed prior to comprehensive exams ("Comps") from any appropriate graduate courses. The intent is to allow students to have maximum flexibility in the selection of courses to build skills and knowledge needed in their dissertation work.
Total 21
Directed Readings
Only two directed readings (CONF 897) may normally be applied toward doctoral elective requirements.
CONF 998 (up to 6 credits) Doctoral Dissertation Proposal**
CONF 999 (up to 12 credits) Doctoral Dissertation Research***
Total 12
** 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.
Total Credits 57 (24+21+12)
Applied Practice and Theory (APT)
The APT program is a six-credit course running yearlong. It is designed to take the concepts presented in class and practiced in labs into real situations with conflict and consequences. Students work in teams integrating research and practice with theory development and applied ethics.
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 15 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.
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 five years from the advancement date to complete the dissertation.
For more information on the Doctoral Program,
please consult the ICAR Student Handbook
