CAS in Conflict Resolution

As the world becomes increasingly dynamic, the ability to build relationships, negotiate solutions collaboratively, and use multiple approaches for conflict resolution is essential. The 12-credit, graduate-level Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Conflict Resolution is an educational program that allows students to engage in more in-depth study of conflict theory, concepts, and skills. To earn the certificate, students complete a required 3-credit course in the Fundamentals of Conflict Studies and 9 additional credits of graduate coursework selected from the list of accepted courses or with the guidance of a faculty advisor. Students may complete a general program of study, or they may concentrate their classes in one of five specialized areas of study: (1) Applied Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management; (2) Advocacy and Social Movements; (3) Collaborative Governance; (4) Environmental Public Participation and Conflict; or (5) Transnational Conflicts.

Students already in a graduate program can earn the certificate concurrently with their master's or doctoral degree. Mid-career managers may complete the certificate as an independent graduate program. To see further information on the graduate programs offered by Syracuse University, please visit the Syracuse University Graduate School. As a Conflict Resolution certificate student, we expect that you will participate in PARCC events and training. More information about opportunities available through PARCC.

Listing of all of the courses accepted for the Conflict Resolution CAS.

Application Process

For Graduate Students who will complete the certificate in conjunction with their primary graduate degree:

Important: SUNY-ESF students must obtain the signature of Scott Shannon in the Instruction & Graduate Studies Office, 227 Bray Hall. Also an official transcript from ESF must be sent to PARCC at 400 Eggers Hall.
Complete the Internal Admission Application. This must be signed by your current degree program.
Complete the Student Proposed Courses form (pdf) drawing upon the list of accepted courses below. This form will be held and your course of study tracked until requirements for the certificate have been completed. You may schedule an appointment to meet with CAS Director Catherine Gerard, or Coordinator Deborah Toole for help with planning your coursework.
Submit both forms above to the PARCC Office, 400 Eggers Hall. You will receive an email from the Graduate Enrollment Center when the paperwork has been processed and you have been matriculated into the Conflict Resolution certificate program. Please contact the PARCC office if you do not receive notification within 2-3 weeks of submitting your application.

NOTE: If a student is enrolled in more than two programs of study (degree or CAS), course credit may be double counted to fulfill degree requirements; but in no instance shall course credit be counted more than twice in satisfaction of the requirements for multiple degrees and/or programs. In cases in which two or more CASs are to be earned by one student, the minimum number of credits earned by the student must be at least 80 percent of the combined total of SU credits required for each certificate. However, two 12-credit CASs may not be awarded for less than 21 credits.

For Mid-Career Professionals applying for the Stand-Alone Certificate Program:

Fill out an SU Graduate School Application online.

NOTE: Applicants should have seven or more years of mid-level professional experience, including management responsibilities with some public sector work preferred.

Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors are available to assist students in identifying coursework that best meets their personal and professional goals. Students should meet with a faculty member as the first step in applying for the program. The following identifies advisors for specialized areas of study.

Applied Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management - Catherine Gerard
Advocacy and Social Movements - John Burdick
Collaborative Governance - Tina Nabatchi
Environmental Public Participation and Conflict - Farhana Sultana
Transnational Conflicts - Catherine Gerard

Courses Accepted: Certificate of Advanced Study in Conflict Resolution

The following courses may be counted toward completion of the CAS in Conflict Resolution. If you find a course you believe is appropriate for the CAS and is not listed below, you may present the course syllabus to PARCC’s Director for consideration that it be added to the list of accepted courses.

Important notes:

Students must submit a “Proposed Course of Study” form with their CAS application listing all courses they intend to count toward the certificate program.
A course’s appropriateness for fulfilling CAS requirements may be contingent upon the instructor’s course syllabus, or upon how the course fits with the student’s overall plan of study as determined with an advisor.
Once accepted into the CAS program, students must contact the PARCC office (a) if making changes to their proposed course of study, and (b) to submit a final Program of Study during the semester in which the CAS is to be awarded.
See SU's Graduate School Academic Rules for rules about minimum GPA required to complete a program and counting credits toward multiple degrees or programs. Academic rules state that "to be awarded a CAS, a student must be matriculated in the certificate program for at least one semester. Matriculation may not be backdated."

Courses Offered in the Fall 2019 Semester-

Please note: PAI/SOS 601 Fundamentals of Conflict Studies is required for ALL students.

Applied Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management

Applied Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management
Course Number	Course Name
COM 698	Media Law (Instructor: Gutterman)
PAI 747	Human Resources Management for the Public Sector
PAI 895	Mid Career Training- Managerial Leadership (Instructor: Gerard)
SWK 601	Fundamentals of Social Work Practice (for MSW students)
SWK 611	Social Welfare Policy/Services
SWK 777	Community Organization and Development

Advocacy & Social Movements

Advocacy & Social Movements
Course Number	Course Name
ANT 672	Language, Culture and Society
EST 608	Environmental Advocacy Campaign: Conflict Resolutions
PAI 747	Human Resources Management for the Public Sector
SOC 627	NYC Black Women Domestic Workers

Collaborative Governance

Collaborative Governance
Course Number	Course Name
LAW 700	National Security Law
PAI 732	Collaborative and Participatory Governance
PAI 747	Human Resources Management for the Public Sector
PAI 895	Mid Career Training- Managerial Leadership (Instructor: Gerard)
PSC 788	Political Leadership

Environmental Public Participation and Conflict

Environmental Public Participation and Conflict
Course Number	Course Name
EST 608	Environmental Advocacy Campaign: Conflict Resolution
GEO 606	Development and Sustainability
PAI 732	Collaborative and Participatory Governance

Transnational Conflicts

Transnational Conflicts
Course Number	Course Name
ANT/PAI 707	Culture in World Affairs
LAW 840	Law of Armed Conflict
PAI/PSC 684	International Relations of the Middle East
PAI 710	International Actors & Issues
PAI 715	International Trade & Economic Negotiations (Greenberg House, DC)
PAI 715	Statecraft and Smart Power (Greenberg House, DC)
PAI 716	Economic Dimensions of Global Power
PAI 730	Central Challenges in National Security Law and Policy
PAI 738	U.S. Intelligence Community
PAI 764	UN Organizations: Managing for Change
PAI 765	Humanitarian Action
PSC 651	Theories of International Relations
PSC 671	Comparative Political Analysis

If you have questions about certificate paperwork, contact Deborah Toole, PARCC's Office Coordinator, phone: 315.443.2367, email: datoole@maxwell.syr.edu.