Graduate Certificates

The department currently offers two graduate certificate programs:

Economic and Social Development of Regions
Peace and Conflict Studies

Graduate Certificate in the Economic and Social Development of Regions

The Graduate Certificate Program in the Economic and Social Development of Regions requires students to take four courses (12 credits). Foundation of Comparative Regional Development (3 credits) is required of all students. Two of the following three courses must be taken: Work, Technology, and Training (3 credits), Dynamics of Power and Authority, Diversity and Inequality (3 credits), Organizational Dynamics in Regional Development (3 credits). The fourth course may be selected by the student from a list of approved electives.

Applicants must complete an abbreviated application form available from the Graduate School and must be formally accepted by the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development. The four courses must be completed within a five year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and with not more than one course with a grade of BC or C.

Courses

For program requirements and course descriptions, go to the graduate catalog.

For upcoming course offerings, see the Registrar's web page.

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Goals
Benefits
Requirements
Courses

Goals 

Violence and conflict are pervasive and complex problems. They are found at many levels from the local to the global. It is vitally important that we understand the causes of conflict, learn constructive ways to resolve them, and build peaceful relationships important questions include: How can we handle conflicts in our workplaces, communities, etc.? What are the causes of violent conflicts, including terrorism?

Violence and conflict have major impacts on economic and social development, and on the lives and personal/career development of professionals in many fields. As in other RESD programs and courses, we examine problems and possible solutions from the perspectives of many disciplines: for PCRS these include economics, history, political science, social psychology, sociology, and criminal justice.

The PCRS certificate will cover two overlapping fields:

• Peace Studies, which frequently focus on global issues and on more radical approaches to conflicts;
• Conflict Resolution Studies, which often concentrates on more local issues—in homes, communities, workplaces etc.—and more pragmatic solutions.

Social injustice, in many forms, is a key source of conflict and violence, so examination of the dynamics of inequality and diversity is at the core of our program.   We will teach both analytical and practical skills. 

Who might benefit from the certificate?

We expect that the certificate will be particularly useful for:

• Individuals who have encountered conflict in their personal and/or professional lives;
• People working in very diverse fields—such as human services, law enforcement, health care, business, education and community organizing--who need skills in understanding and handling conflicts;
• Undergraduates interested in graduate studies;
• Undergraduate majors that are closely tied to PCRS include
  American studies, criminal justice, economics, history, human services,
  philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, etc.

At the University of Mass., Boston the Certificate and Masters programs in Dispute Resolution (with whom we are collaborating) polled some alumnae/alumni about the value of their programs.  One alumna, who works as a mediator in the Mass. Office of Dispute Resolution, reported that the U.Mass. Boston programs “provide something of a renaissance education. Aside from the core competencies…(negotiation, mediation, dispute resolution theory and practice etc.) students come away with some additional skills and abilities. These include improved oral and written communication, understanding of the sociology of law, creative problem solving, and insight into one’s effectiveness as an intervener and member of a group.”  

A recipient of a masters degree from U.Mass. Boston, who is an Assistant Principal in a public school system and also a union steward, commented, “having direct contact with administration, teachers, parents and students, I find the education and skills I gained in the Graduate Programs in Dispute Resolution are invaluable.” 

Requirements

The Graduate Certificate Program in Peace and Conflict Studies requires students to take five courses (15 credits).  There are two required core courses, two courses that can come from a long list of optional substantive courses, and a fifth, required “hands-on” Field Experience course.

Applicants must complete an abbreviated application form available from the Graduate School and must be formally accepted by the Department of Regional Economic and Social Development.  The five courses must be completed within a five year period with a minimum 3.0 grade point average and with not more than one course with a grade of BC or C.

For program requirements and course descriptions, go to the graduate catalog.

For upcoming course offerings, see the Registrar's web page.

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