Program Admission

Prerequisite(s): N/A

Standard Admission

• Undergraduate degree
• Normally, minimum five years of full-time work experience, preferably in an area which offers opportunity to manage multiparty disputes.

Flexible Admission

• To be considered for Flexible Admission, applicants would normally require a minimum of 10 years related experience, with some at a senior level.

Additional Recommendations for Admission

Applicants must have:

• the ability to model behavior appropriate for conflict management professionals
• personal attributes suitable to the conflict management field, including self-esteem, self-awareness, confidence, honesty, integrity, responsibility, flexibility, open-mindedness, curiosity, and the ability to communicate and work with people as a supervisor and as a team member
• an experiential understanding of the nature of conflict in a diverse society and a demonstrated awareness of conflict dynamics in terms of culture, and ethnicity
• the flexibility, personal discipline, and motivation necessary to complete a demanding program that includes innovative and experiential learning methods (exercises, role plays and simulations).

A second language or significant cross-cultural experience is desirable, but not necessary.

The program is primarily for people working in the field and wishing to advance the depth and breadth of their understanding of conflict and conflict intervention. However, we have found in recent years that selected applicants who come to us directly out of their undergraduate programs can both benefit from and contribute to the learning that takes place in the program. What we look for from these applicants is a developing (and purposefully developed) interest in the field that goes beyond a desire to have a degree or an abstract interest.  While you may not have had actual full-time work in conflict management you may have had volunteer work, study abroad, or part-time work that provided you with experience that is related to your reasons for wanting to study in our program.

Note: Academic writing skills are required for success in this program and an English composition course focused on academic writing is therefore recommended.  A completely online eight-week course that meets this recommendation is offered several times a year through Continuing Studies at Royal Roads University:

• Introduction to Academic Writing and Critical Thinking - Continuing Studies

Application Requirements

Applicants should follow the general admission requirements along with the following program-specific requirements:

Letters of Reference
They may be provided by current or past employers or those who have known the applicant in an academic or volunteer setting.

Reference letters must attest to the applicant's suitability to this program, and particularly the applicant's ability to complete a demanding graduate program, including graduate level writing and research. The referee should indicate the length of time and context in which they have known the applicant, and should also consider the ability of the applicant to model appropriate behavior in the field as well as the personal attributes of the applicant.

In the case of an employer's reference, the letter should also attest to the applicant's performance in the context of current or previous employment. The letter should address such areas as work in the field of conflict analysis and management as well as leadership potential.

Personal Statement
Each applicant must submit a typed three to four page statement addressing each of the following questions under a separate heading. The significance of the personal statement includes an assessment of the applicants writing skills as well as their interest and ability to complete the program. These statements must be the original work of the applicant.

Why do you wish to enroll in the conflict analysis and management program?

What academic courses and/or training do you have in the area of conflict management?

What work experience do you have in the area of conflict management?

Why are you interested in a program that is focused on intergroup as opposed to interpersonal conflict management?

Which area of concentration would you like to pursue and how is this relevant to your career goals?

Please select a first and second choice of concentrations.

What experience have you had with distance education and self-directed study?

What special strengths do you bring to the program?

Structured Resume
 
Applicant's resume must include the following:

• Post secondary education
• Training and professional development in the area of conflict analysis
• Volunteer work
• Full-time work experience
• Experience related to alternative dispute resolution
• Professional memberships/affiliations
• Other relevant information