Conflict and Collaboration Certificate of Advanced Study
Learn skills you will use everyday to manage conflicts and promote collaboration among individuals and diverse teams.
Analyze how conflicts start and develop; identify how to intervene in conflicts; assess your own ability to deal with conflict; and apply skills in communication, negotiation, mediation and engagement.
- Online; on campus in Syracuse, N.Y.; or both
- 12 graduate-level credits (four courses)
- Open to non-matriculated students with a bachelor's degree (including midcareer) and all matriculated master's students of Syracuse University
- GRE and work experience not required
of employers list conflict management skills in job descriptions
online, on-campus or hybrid options provide maximum flexibility
growth for conflict-related occupations by 2026
Flexible learning format
Online
The online certificate program delivers an experience that expands on the quality of the Maxwell School’s renowned on-campus programs. Students meet in real time to share diverse insights and collaborate on solutions to conflicts they face in their own work lives and communities.
Live, 100% Online Classes
Multimedia Coursework
Flexible Schedule
Technical Support
On Campus
Tailor your program with elective courses offered across the University's 13 schools and colleges. From public health to environmental science to education to regional studies, the skills you learn in our conflict and collaboration program can be applied to all areas. Download a sample list of courses that can be applied to your conflict and collaboration certificate.
You also have the option to participate in our residential intensive Summer Institute,
which adds flexibility to your program timeline by pairing online offerings with traditional campus learning. Immerse yourself in intensive one-week, 3-credit courses in skills-based conflict training. Summer Institute course offerings may vary from
year-to-year. Course schedules for the upcoming summer session are provided during the spring semester.
Hybrid
All of our online, on campus and Summer Institute courses that count toward the certificate are available to all students enrolled in the CAS, providing added flexibility to help you meet your goals and scheduling needs.
Curriculum
All three modes of instruction—online, on campus and hybrid—require successful completion of the 3-credit core course PAI 601 Fundamentals of Conflict Studies and three 3-credit electives, for a total of 12 credits. For complete requirements, please see the Syracuse University Course Catalog.
If you are already enrolled in a graduate degree program at Syracuse University, you may complete this certificate concurrently with your degree. Speak with your academic advisor about your goals and your course schedule.
For online instruction, the available core courses and electives are as follows:
Fundamentals of Conflict Studies (PAI 601)
This course is unique to Maxwell as it builds off our interdisciplinary approach to conflict that leverages broad perspectives about social conflicts and collaborative governance to solve problems. This course provides an introduction to a broad range of areas related to the analysis and resolution of conflict, focusing on the interdisciplinary study of defining, understanding and addressing conflict.
Instructor: Catherine Gerard, professor of practice, public administration and international affairs
Negotiation: Theory and Practices (ANT 624)
This course teaches position-based versus interest-based negotiation skills for resolving differences and achieving mutually satisfying outcomes. Advanced techniques of communication, such as chunking, reframing, anchoring, metaphor and rapport to obtain negotiation outcomes of excellence.
Instructor: Robert Rubinstein, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology
Collaborative and Participatory Governance: Developing Collaborative Competencies for Managers (PAI 732)
This course provides a foundation in collaborative and participatory governance to equip students to produce and consume related processes, tools and approaches.
Mediation: Theory and Practice (SOC 621)
This course teaches mediation skills for facilitating resolution of disputes and how to intervene and assist individuals and groups to find solutions. Learning approaches include lectures, simulations modeling and practice mediations.
Instructor: Neil Katz, associate professor emeritus of public affairs
For on-campus instruction, please work with your advisor to select electives that meet your goals.
In addition to completing PAI 601: Fundamentals of Conflict Studies, you will work with your advisor to choose three courses from across Syracuse University that meet the requirements and your goals.
Tuition
Students have the option to pursue courses for graduate credit, or, for those solely looking for professional development, as non-credit training.
View the current cost of attendance for graduate students attending Syracuse University.
To learn more about non-credit training, please email us.
Admission and Financial Aid
Students already in a graduate program can earn the certificate concurrently with their master’s or doctoral degree. Mid-career managers may complete the CAS as an independent graduate program.
This program is open to students who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. No GRE test scores or work experience is required for application.
Scholarships are available for students who matriculate into this CAS program as a stand-alone student (not concurrent with another program of study). For consideration of financial support, please complete your application for admission by the deadline.
While financial aid in the form of federal education loans are not available for this stand-alone CAS, applicants should inquire within their employers/agencies about funding for professional development.
U.S. Veterans
The CAS program is an approved program of study at Syracuse University, allowing student veterans to access VA benefits toward their study in this field. At Syracuse University, student veterans are assisted with their veteran educational benefits by the Office of Veteran Success, including unlimited participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program, allowing Post-9/11 GI Bill students to receive additional funding to cover required tuition and fees.
More information on how to access VA benefits for tuition and fees, as well as assistance with payment deferrals, can be found on the Office of Veterans Affairs website.
2024 Forever Orange Scholarship Program
We are happy to continue our support of the Forever Orange program! Syracuse University Class of 2024 graduating seniors are eligible to apply for our master’s program and, if admitted, will receive a guaranteed 50% tuition scholarship! Please visit the Graduate School website for additional details on eligibility, participating programs and application instructions.
Application Deadline: December 1 for Spring; April 1 for Summer; August 1 for Fall
Stand-Alone
To apply to the stand-alone online, hybrid, or on-campus certificate program, submit the following application materials:
- Online Application
- $75 application fee
- Personal essay
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Resume or CV
GRE’s and work experience are not required.
Concurrent
Application information for current students is available on our Answers page.