About Conflict Analysis and Resolution
Conflict is an inevitable social and organizational reality. It also holds great potential for harm and good. Conflict can be damaging to organizations, agencies, and business. It has the potential to destroy morale, polarize coworkers, and divert precious energy from meeting organizational goals.
The ability to identify, analyze, and resolve conflicts is a skilled required for just about every profession.
The 30-credit hour, interdisciplinary master of science in conflict analysis is designed to train students to assess the cause of and design practical means to move beyond conflict to achieve personal and institutional objectives. The program combines theory and application to address the need for highly skilled conflict resolvers to work in various fields in both public and private sectors.
Degree Information
This unique multidisciplinary master's program appeals to both current undergraduate students who would like to continue their education by becoming experts at resolving conflicts and professionals wanting to obtain strategies for conflict analysis and resolution.
The 2017 Buffalo Niagara Labor Market Assessment (LMA) concluded that over the next 10 years, more than 137,600 Buffalo Niagara workers will be over the age of 65. If all these workers retired, a fifth of current jobs would become vacant. Over half of the vacancies would be seen in four industries: health, manufacturing, education, and professional services.
Specialized knowledge and skills that will be required by new workers include complex problem solving, ability to handle and resolve complaints, negotiation, communication, coordination, troubleshooting.
The master’s program addresses the need for highly skilled conflict resolvers to work in myriad professions:
- Business
- Criminal justice
- Education
- Government
- Health care
- Labor relations
- Ministry
Focus
The program has an applied focus and is designed around conflict resolution pillars/competencies:
- The theoretical approaches in understanding the why and how conflict exist and escalate
- The dynamics of conflict
- The practical methods for assessing and evaluating conflict
- The stages of conflict resolution process and storytelling.
Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the program will have achieved a minimal standard on the following student learning outcomes:
- Assessing differing forms of conflict through an interactive process of engagement;
- Applying current theoretical knowledge to categorize and assess multiple conflict situations;
- Determining the most efficient and beneficial response to multiple conflict situations;
- Formulating appropriate responses to achieve a successful conflict resolution; and
- Establish institutional mechanisms and procedures to prevent future similar conflicts from developing.
Crossing Disciplines
Scholars, specialists, and experts, from the fields of criminal justice, government, education, and social services teach the courses, demonstrate conflict analysis and resolution skills, and to provide internship and research opportunities.
Unique to SUNY
Buffalo State is the first in the State University of New York (SUNY) system and in Western New York to offer graduate instruction in conflict analysis and resolution.
Become an Expert
Continue your education by becoming an expert at resolving conflicts and obtain conflict analysis strategies that you can apply to your job, your community, and the world at large.
Superb Location
The master's program capitalizes on Buffalo State’s urban location, international border, economic cost, and the ebb and flow of local, regional and national politics and policies.