Conflict Management

Return to: The Graduate Colleges and Departments

Contact: Dr. Linda M. Johnston, Program Director
Office: Room 5030, Social Sciences Building 22
Phone: (770) 423-6299
Fax: (770) 423-6880
Email: ljohnst9@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://www.kennesaw.edu/pols/mscm

MSCM Program Mission

The Master of Science in Conflict Management (MSCM) is designed to train students to be conflict resolution practitioners in varied environments. The curriculum includes courses in theory, research, design skills and practice skills. It offers field study opportunities. Students select a specific environment and develop a substantive specialty.

MSCM Program Description

The primary objective of the MSCM is to produce students who: (1) understand the nature of conflict from the perspective of multiple disciplines; (2) understand the continuum of responses to conflict; (3) possess the necessary skills to facilitate the management of various types of conflict; (4) demonstrate the ability to analyze and research conflict in an organizational environment; (5) demonstrate the ability to design conflict intervention procedures and strategies appropriate to a particular situation or environment; (6) demonstrate the ability to evaluate the efficacy of a given intervention or system of interventions; and (7) successfully participate in conflict management on a practical level in one or more specific environments.

The Master’s program prepares students to identify and pursue opportunities for a new career based on conflict management expertise. The MSCM also provides students with enhanced credentials to pursue career advancement in an existing work environment.

General Requirements for Admission to MSCM Program

The Graduate Admissions Committee of the MSCM faculty determines the eligibility of each person who applies for admission to the MSCM program. Admission will be granted only to students showing high probability of success in postgraduate study.

To be considered for admission to the MSCM program, the following application materials must be gathered by the student and submitted in one packet to the Graduate Admissions Office, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, MD#9109, Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591:

1. Application Form and Fee: A special MSCM information packet can be requested by calling 770-423-6299 or from the website at www.kennesaw.edu/pols/mscm. An online graduate application is available at  www.kennesaw.edu/admissions/graduate_admissions.html and should be filled out by the student. A fee of $60 must be paid at time of application.
2. Transcripts: Official transcript for a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum grade point average of 2.80 on a 4.0 scale. Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses must be submitted.
3. Test Score: Applicants must submit a test score of 800 on the General Test of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) (verbal, quantitative) and 3.5 on the Analytical Writing section of the General Test; 475 on the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT); or 151 on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Test requirements are waived for applicants who have earned an advanced degree. Scores which are still available under the scoring in effect prior to October 1, 2005, will continue to be considered for admission to the MSCM program.
4. Letter of Intent: An application letter that states the applicant’s interest and goals for the MSCM and the potential use of the degree.
5. Résumé: A current résumé is required.
6. Recommendations: Two letters of recommendation that address the applicant’s potential for graduate study and use of the MSCM degree from employers, supervisors, or professors familiar with the applicant’s ability.
7. Immunization Requirement: see Graduate Admission .

*International applicants have additional requirements; see Graduate Admission  section of this catalog.

Consideration is given to the applicant’s academic record, test scores, letters of recommendation, résumé, and typed personal statement and objectives. However, when there is a conflict in the predictions of success from the GPA and test score, exceptions may be made if the applicant’s educational background, excellence in performance in business and professional activities, creativity and leadership, or experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution indicates success in the program. In reviewing the academic work of applicants, the junior/senior adjusted grade point average for all applicants will be considered. In cases where the applicant has done additional accredited undergraduate work beyond the bachelor’s degree or has done accredited graduate work, the most recent two-year adjusted GPA will be used in the admissions consideration.

An applicant will not be admitted until a completed application, application fee, letter of intent, current résumé, two letters of recommendation, valid Immunization Certificate, official test score, and official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses have been received and evaluated.

Only students classified as MSCM degree students are permitted to enroll in the regular MSCM courses. However, any student admitted to graduate study at KSU may enroll in Special Topic CM courses (CM 8900).

Transfer Credit

Students are not allowed to transfer credit into the MSCM program. If a student has already completed accredited general mediation or family mediation training, that skills training may be waived once they are accepted into the program.

Provisional

Provisional acceptance is not permitted within the MSCM program due to the cohort model of education.

Readmission

Students are encouraged to enter the program at a time when their successful completion of the program is likely. If a student in good standing has to drop out of the program, he/she may be permitted to return later to the program at the same point in the program.

Grade Expectations

Academic Exclusion

If a graduate student earns nine credit hours of grades below B, or three failing grades in satisfactory/unsatisfactory courses, or if a graduate student on probation earns a semester or summer grade-point average below 3.0, that student will be dismissed from further graduate study at KSU and will not be eligible for readmission as a graduate student.

A student who wishes to appeal after the first exclusion must submit a letter describing the situation and stating the reasons for requesting the appeal to the appropriate graduate program director who will forward his/her recommendation to the dean of the graduate college. The dean of the graduate college will then notify the appropriate graduate program director, the office of the registrar and the student of his/her decision. The decision of the dean of the graduate college is final and students may not appeal a second exclusion.

Degree Completion

Students will be allowed to graduate when all degree requirements have been fulfilled.

Petition to Graduate

Each MSCM student must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. A petition will be prepared and distributed to each MSCM student by the Program Manager.

Non-Degree Admission

Only students classified as MSCM degree students are permitted to enroll in the regular MSCM courses. However, any student admitted to graduate study at KSU may enroll in Special Topic CM courses (CM 8900).

Financial Information and Assistance for MSCM Program

1. Premium Pricing: The cost of the program is $23,500, which includes tuition, fees, books and class materials, orientation retreat, meals on class weekends, travel to one or more conferences, membership in a professional organization and a subscription to an ADR journal. The cost includes a non-refundable reservation fee of $500 which is due upon official notification of acceptance in order to reserve a place in the program. NOTE: Insurance premiums associated with health insurance required by the University for all international students are not included in the cost of the program;
2. Financial Aid: All MSCM applicants are encouraged to apply for financial aid in the event of an emergency that could prevent them from fulfilling their commitment to the program. See Financial Aid in Tuition, Expenses, and Financial Aid ;
3. Fee Schedule and Deadlines: Tuition is pro-rated over the length of the program with a payment of $5,750 due on or before the first day of class each semester;
4. Payment of Fees: Payment of the $500 reservation fee is due on notification of acceptance to the program. Payment of this fee and the $5,750 semester tuition fee can be made by check to the MSCM Program Manager. Payment by credit card can be made only online for an additional service fee of 2.7% or approximately $150.
5. Refund Policy: The MSCM policy states that 30% of the $5,750 will be refunded, if a student withdraws before the semester deadline. No refunds will be given for withdrawing from classes after the following dates:

Return to: The Graduate Colleges and Departments