Conflict Management, MSCM

Dr. Susan Raines, Associate Director of the School of Conflict Management, Peacebuilding and Development
MS 209, MD 1603
470-578-6081

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 particular 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 MSCM Graduate Admissions Committee 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 to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Kennesaw State University, 3391 Town Point Dr., MD 9109 Kennesaw, GA 30144:

1. Application Form and Fee: An online graduate application is available at  www.kennesaw.edu/admissions/graduate_admissions.html and should be filled out by the student. A non-refundable 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 score from a standardized test including the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT); or the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Test requirements are waived for applicants who have earned an advanced degree. Minimum scores are generally 280 GRE General, 3.5 Analytical Writing; 475 GMAT; 151 LSAT; however, students with scores below that may apply,
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. An official TOEFL or IELTS score report. Students from countries where English is the primary or official language do not need to submit TOEFL scores. Students who have an accredited US degree also do not need to submit TOEFL scores.
8. Immunization Requirement: see Graduate Admissions .

*International applicants have additional requirements; see Graduate Admissions  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 MSCM courses (MSCM 7100; MSCM 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. Additional credits may be required to compensate for the waived course(s).

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 Policies : Expectations for Satisfactory Level Student Performance in Graduate Catalog.

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 administrative director.

Non-Degree Admission

MSCM courses are closed for admission to any student not currently enrolled in the MSCM program; however, any student admitted to graduate study at KSU may request “permission of the instructor” to enroll. This is up to the discretion of the faculty of record in the course and the MSCM program director.

Financial Information and Assistance for MSCM Program

1. Tuition: The MSCM program is a regular graduate tuition program for in-state (resident) and out-of-state students. NOTE: Insurance premiums associated with health insurance required by the University for all international students are not included in the cost of the program; current cost of the program can be found here: http://graduate.kennesaw.edu/admissions/resources/financials.php.
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, & Financial Aid .
3. Fee Schedule and Deadlines: Premiere-priced tuition for out-of-state students is pro-rated per semester over the length of the program (typically 4 semesters) with a payment due on or before the first day of class each semester. Late payments may result in classes being dropped and additional fees.

Refund Policy: After 11:45 p.m. on the last day to drop/add courses (see the Academic Calendar for specific semester dates), there is no refund for withdrawing from a course, which would still leave a student enrolled at KSU. The student must completely withdraw from all classes for the semester in order to receive a refund. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete an online withdrawal.

Kennesaw State University reserves the right to change its fees, charges, rules, and regulations at the beginning of any semester and without prior notice.

Program of Study