MA in Dispute Resolution
MADR students, alumni and faculty enjoy the School's 2011 Celebration
Overview
We live in diverse communities confronting unique challenges. Whether here in Canada or elsewhere in the world, anticipating and resolving disputes and conflicts is critical for moving societies forward and achieving better public policy outcomes.
Knowledge and Skills
- an understanding of concepts, theories, processes and skills for addressing conflicts and disputes in the context of public policy development and governance processes;
- skills to contribute to the development of public policy in participatory and inclusive ways;
- mediation skills that you can use to help resolve public or private disputes;
- an ability to implement processes for non-violent resolution of public and private disputes; and
- a critical understanding of contemporary public conflicts, how they manifest, and how they can be resolved
MADR courses strike a balance between developing your practical skills and perspectives, and providing you with concepts and frameworks from different disciplines. Beyond the required courses in the program, you can deepen your skills and knowledge through:
- elective courses,
- the co-op work opportunities you pursue, and
- your choice of related research, which will be part of your final project (DR 598) or thesis (DR 599).
Who Are We?
UVic is a highly-ranked comprehensive university that is known for its beautiful geographic location, outstanding professional and academic programs, and excellent Cooperative Education programs.
The MADR program has been part of the Faculty of Human and Social Development for over ten years and in 2008 joined the School of Public Administration, which lends its public policy expertise to the MADR curriculum. The program is delivered by leading practitioners and scholars who bring insight to the courses through their practical experience and research in Canada and around the world.
About our Graduates
MADR graduates go on to build careers in:
- local, provincial and national governments and agencies;
- negotiation processes involving Indigenous peoples and governments;
- international development and human rights; non-profit organizations in Canada and other countries;
- educational and health sectors; and
- dispute resolution organizations and businesses.
Some graduates also pursue further studies in PhD programs to become academics and researchers.
Co-operative education
The MADR program allows students to combine their classroom knowledge with Co-operative work experience. Students have benefited from placements in the federal and provincial governments, Aboriginal governments, as well as in national and international non-profit organizations, universities, hospitals, and private businesses. Students normally receive a salary for their work term. The salary is the responsibility of their employer and is determined by their organization's wage structure.
To qualify for the Co-op designation graduation requirements, a minimum of two co-op terms or a maximum of three co-op terms are required. Co-op is supported by the School of Public Administration Co-op Coordinator. All students are expected to complete DR 589 Co-op Seminar: Introduction to Professional Practice (fall term) to prepare for their Co-op placement.
For more information about the Co-op Education Program, download the Co-operative Guide for Graduate Students.
Tailoring your studies
You can tailor your studies to suit your interests through selection of elective courses, co-op work term placements and project or thesis topics that focus on specific areas of study.
Professional Association
While the MADR program offers a wide range of skills for graduates to take into their future workplace, if you are particularly interested in becoming a mediator in British Columbia, you will find that some courses in the MADR program can count towards partial requirements to join the Roster of Mediate BC.
