Offered by the oldest conflict resolution program in the country, UMass Boston’s Conflict Resolution Certificate gives you the skills to turn conflict into collaboration in personal, community, and global settings. This 12-credit graduate certificate is made up of four 3-credit courses that can seamlessly count toward our 36-credit master’s degree if you choose to continue. You can complete the program on campus or fully online, with asynchronous options that fit your schedule. Through hands-on coursework and projects, you’ll gain expertise in mediation, dialogue facilitation, conflict management, and peace building.
Here’s your chance to:
Develop your mediation and facilitation expertise with certifications from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations.
Apply your skills in real time with Beacon-to-Beacon, offering conflict resolution training and interventions for the UMass Boston community.
Advance your expertise in conflict resolution and peace building through research and practical projects with the Center for Peace, Democracy, and Development (CPDD).
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average annual salary for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023
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months to complete the program
UMass Boston Survey Data, 2026
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complete the online certificate for ~$9k (excluding fees)
UMass Boston Survey Data, 2026
Attend an Information Session
Join an upcoming information session to learn more about Confict Resolution graduate programs and the application process.
Apply the skills you gain toward careers in conflict resolution, peace building, and mediation. Participate in internships, fellowships, research projects, and paid opportunities, while competitive funding programs support hands-on experience and independent research. Sharpen practical skills, grow your professional network, and confidently pursue your career path.
Here’s where this degree can take you:
Health Care
Union/Labor Organizing
Family/Elder/Divorce Mediation
Education Leadership
Human Resources
Mediation
Counseling
Restorative Justice
United Nations Work
Local/State/Federal Government Work
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Opportunities
Example Employers of Program Graduates
UMass Boston Conflict Resolution Certificate alumni launch careers at nonprofits; courts; and local, state, and national government agencies, including:
Student Stories
The political and social polarization in our country motivated me to seek a conflict resolution graduate program that would help me understand conflict dynamics and how to move towards durable peace. I was impressed by UMass Boston's commitment to balancing academic theory with real-world applications. It was incredibly helpful to learn about the factors that make conflict resolution tools effective in different contexts & how to avoid pitfalls that may undermine their intended impact.
Andrew B.
What drew me into the certificate was the Bargaining course. I was getting into the mindset for contract bargaining and this seemed very relevant. Other coursework seemed interesting and applicable for dealing with conflict around the workplace. Plus, it was great to see the diversity of the Conflict Resolution student body. I learned a lot from classmates, in addition to learning from faculty.
Apostolos K., ‘24
Plan Your Education
How to Apply
Deadlines:
Fall Deadline: June 15
Spring Deadline: November 1 (online/hybrid certificate only)
Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.
Program Cost Information: Significant on-campus tuition discounts are available to residents of Massachusetts, the other New England states, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. For more detailed information on costs, visit the Bursar's website to learn more about Regular Session Tuition & Fees for in person courses and Special Price Tuition & Fees for online courses. Please refer to Financial Aid for more information.
Official transcripts (completed Bachelor’s degree required)
Writing sample - optional
Resume/cv
Statement of purpose - Please supply one document including the answer to the following 2 questions. Be sure to answer each question:Describe one or more specific experiences you have had with conflict. What was your role? What were your rewards and frustrations? (500-750 words)
How will you apply the skills, knowledge, and perspective acquired through the program in your current and/or future employment? (500-750 words)
This 12 credit graduate certificate degree can be completed in 1 year of full-time study (2 classes per semester) or part-time. The 12 credits will transfer to the Conflict Resolution master's program if you go on to apply and are accepted.
Students must attend 5 colloquia to complete program (4 are offered each semester). Online degree seeking students are exempt.
Required Courses:
CONRES 621 - Negotiation (M) 3 Credit(s)
CONRES 623 - Introductory Theory 3 Credit(s)
6 credits of electives: (most are 3 credits except the Dialogue and Facilitation course and the court mediation internship are each 6 credits)
Examples of electives:
Cross-Cultural Conflict
Conflict Resolution Systems for Organizations
Advanced Intervention
Dialogue and Facilitation
Peace, Conflict, and Education
Intervention in Environmental Disputes
Conflict in Workgroups
Immigration and Conflict
Conflict Engagement in Health care
Conflict Resolution and Democracy Development in Africa
Israeli-Palestine Conflict
Dealing with the Past
Graduate courses taken in other UMass Boston graduate departments or at other universities may be accepted for transfer credit with prior approval of the Graduate Program Director.
*CONRES 690 Court [Mediation] Internship: 40 hours of classroom training and 30 hours of district court mediation, mentoring, and evaluation, meeting all the requirements of the Guidelines for Implementation of Qualification Standards for Neutrals, adopted January 24, 2004, pursuant to Rule 8 of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Uniform Rules on Dispute Resolution. Students who successfully complete one of the mediation certificate options will receive a Certificate of Completion showing completion of the training and mentoring components of mediator qualifications according to those guidelines and M.G.L. Chapter 233 section 23 (Confidentiality Statute).
For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.
Learning Outcomes
Gain a thorough grounding in the theory of conflict and its resolution.
Explore the social, psychological, political, structural, and cultural factors which give rise to conflict and shape its course.
Understand the effects of different types of conflict on people and the relationships among them.
Develop skills in the practice, design, and evaluation of a variety of conflict management and resolution applications relevant to a broad range of contexts and group sizes. These skills include nonviolent, collaborative resolution methods, such as mediation, facilitation, negotiation, dialogue, organizational change, and consensual decision making.
Graduation Criteria
Complete 12 credits, including two core courses (3 credits each) plus 6 elective credits (most are 3 credits except thecourt mediation internshipis 6 credits).
Attend 5 colloquium (4 are offered each semester).
Department of Conflict Resolution, Human Security, and Global Governance conresglobal@umb.edu
Turn Learning Into Professional Experience
Start building your professional network through internships, jobs, and research opportunities. All incoming students are automatically enrolled in two email digests, one focused on internships, fellowships, and events, and the other sharing job openings, helping you tap into the community’s network right away. Competitive funding programs help you gain experience that strengthens your career readiness. Students also have access to initiatives like Beacon2Beacon, a mediation team serving the UMass Boston community, where you can apply conflict resolution skills in real situations.
SARA Compliance, Disclosure & Dispute Resolution UMass Boston programs are designed to meet the requirements for licensure or certification in Massachusetts. Please contact your state licensing or certification board to determine whether the program meets the requirements for licensure or certification in other states.
