*Gainful Employment

UA Little Rock’s Conflict Management Graduate Certificate is interdisciplinary with courses across applied communication, law, social work, public administration, education, and psychology. Courses are taught by UA Little Rock faculty and by national experts in the field. Courses within this program are offered in a variety of formats, including fully online and in person, allowing both fully online or main campus students to complete the certificate. Students can complete the program across three semesters (one academic year) or can go at their own pace.

Conflict management and civil dialogue are important in any profession that involves working with people. Educators, social workers, human resource professionals, health care professionals, and leaders in public, private, nonprofit, and religious organizations are among those whose responsibilities include managing conflict. This program prepares students to analyze, apply, and engage in constructive conflict management practices, including negotiation, listening and civil dialogue, mediation, conflict consulting, crisis communication, and more. Professional conflict managers assist individuals, groups, and organizations in reaching agreements, responding to change or crisis, team building, generating ideas or solutions, and/or seeking collaborative outcomes. This program offers critical tools for anyone going into an organizational environment, working with teams, or entering leadership positions as supervisors, managers, or directors.

The field of conflict management is expanding nationwide in business, government, medicine, and education. Whether you are interested in a career in conflict management or you feel that conflict management skills would enhance your effectiveness in your current career, this graduate certificate may be for you.

Admission Requirements

All applicants to the graduate certificate in Conflict Management must have a baccalaureate degree from an institutionally, regionally, or internationally accredited institution. Applicants can be from any discipline or major.

Applicants must submit all transcripts from previous institutions to the UA Little Rock Graduate School. Work in other graduate programs or professional programs will be considered in making admission decisions. 

• A written statement of educational and career goals
• A current resume
• Two letters of recommendation

Regular Admission

Applicants will be considered for regular admission if they have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or better on a previous baccalaureate or graduate degree, or if they have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better on their last 60 hours of coursework.

Conditional Admission

Applicants will be considered for conditional admission if they have achieved a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 on a previous baccalaureate or graduate degree, or if they have achieved a GPA between 2.7 and 2.99 on their last 60 hours of coursework. Conditionally admitted students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in their first 9 hours of coursework in order to remain in the program.

Special Conditional Admission

Applicants with a GPA between 2.4 and 2.69 who demonstrate extraordinary potential for professional achievement may petition the Conflict Management graduate coordinator for special consideration if s/he has a minimum of three years of verified professional work in nonprofits and is recommended after a personal interview. Applicants whose petitions are approved by the Conflict Management graduate coordinator will be subject to the same requirements and restrictions as those listed above for conditionally admitted students.