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Maynooth University

Mediation & Conflict Intervention

This Masters programme provides a challenging learning experience for those who wish to deepen and integrate their mediation knowledge and skills. The course aims to develop the student's ability in the analysis and critique of mediation and conflict intervention theory and research. The course also delivers specialist professional training in the areas of Family Mediation, Organisational and Workplace Mediation, Commercial Mediation, Peace Process Studies, Restorative Practice, Conflict Resolution in Education and Restorative Practice in Schools & Research. The programme has a significant experiential element, providing ongoing opportunities to learn reflectively through exercises and in practice through individualised feedback and coaching. Formal presentations provide background theory on mediation specialist areas and are delivered by practitioner mediators. - See more at: http://www.nuim.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/courses/ma-mediat...

The MA in Mediation and Conflict Intervention at the Edward M Kennedy Institute, Maynooth University provides a learning experience for those who wish to integrate and deepen their mediation and conflict intervention knowledge and skills. The programme provides access to teaching, research and practitioner skills in the areas of Organisational and Workplace Mediation, Family Mediation, Commercial Mediation, Restorative Practice and Peace Process Studies. Students complete six modules amounting to 90 credits and this includes two research modules one (MC690) being a dissertation.

This highly experiential programme provides ongoing opportunities to learn reflectively through exercises and in practice through feedback and coaching. Formal presentations provide background theory in the specialist areas. Students gain a strong theoretical foundation coupled with skills and practice development leading to a solid grounding in the best practice of constructive conflict intervention processes. Students on the one-year full time Masters programme develop a research proposal and carry out original research. They take two Research Modules delivering 40 credits and in addition choose five of the modules scheduled in the programme that year.

The MA in Mediation and Conflict Intervention is designed for people who are intently interested in further developing their skills and knowledge in the field of mediation and conflict intervention. Participants will usually have been working directly or indirectly with people in conflict as a professional or as someone required to handle conflict situations in their work or personal lives. Participating in this programme will further develop theoretical knowledge and applied skills in conducting qualitative, quantitative and participatory research and develop participants' abilities to formulate research problems and proposals and to conduct research. It is designed to be an intense learning experience where small class sizes encourage strong skills development and engagement in a continuous and collaborative learning environment.

The course is accredited by the Mediators' Institute of Ireland (MII) and students who are not already certified mediators with the MII must undergo and pass the first module (MC615) via assignment and competency assessment. This will enable students to register and advertise with the MII as a Certified Member with eligibility to practice. Completion of the MA in Mediation and Conflict Intervention will also fulfil specific criteria for accreditation as a Practitioner Member of the MII. This advanced level may be applied for when the student has successfully completed the MA in Mediation and Conflict Intervention, has completed cases to the MII standard and passed the assessment interview (see the Mediators Institute of Ireland website: www.themii.ie).

Entry requirements

Applicants require a primary degree in any subject, a written personal statement, references from two referees. An interview will be held to determine suitability for the course. For international students whose first language is not English, an English language exam certificate showing IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required.

Duration

MH50M 1 year Full-time
MH51M 2 years Part-time

Careers or further progression

Graduates are provided with the knowledge base for practice in the specialist areas of mediation and conflict intervention taught on the course. Graduates who have completed module MC615 and passed the competency assessment may apply to register with the Mediators Institute of Ireland (MII) and advertise their practice as a certified mediator. On completion of supervised cases, graduates they may apply for assessment to the advanced level of Practitioner Member with the MII. Graduates may incorporate their learning into their current employment or the development of their future career. Others may choose self-employment offering a variety of services including mediation, conflict analysis, conflict management, facilitation and other conflict interventions to prospective clients. Some agencies, providing a mediation service, employ mediators which provides another option.

Further enquiries

Programme Director: Treasa Kenny
Tel: 01 708 6635
Email: Treasa.kenny@nuim.ie
Website: http://kennedyinstitute.nuim.ie/

Subjects taught

This is a full time programme delivered over one calendar year comprising of nine modules. The choice of modules for full time students depends on the year they take the Masters. Each year has a different schedule and choice of modules with some modules being repeated every year. In the academic year 2017-2018 the first semester delivers Research (MC603), Mediation Knowledge and Practice (MC615), Family Mediation (MC604), Mediation Theory into Practice (MC628) and Values and Relationships in Conflict Intervention (MC606).

In the second semester, modules delivered are: Commercial Mediation (MC607), Organisational and Workplace Mediation (MC605), Peace Studies 1 - Resolving Protracted Conflict (MC629) and Peace Studies 2 -Post Conflict Challenges in Implementing Peace Agreements (MC630). Students complete their dissertation in the second semester.

Comment

Edward Kennedy Institute
The aim of the research Institute is to build capacity for constructive approaches to conflict at all levels in society. We are striving to achieve this by supporting practitioners and policy-makers in building their capacity for constructive conflict intervention while generating new knowledge and leadership that will support communities to transcend predictable patterns of conflict.

Assessment method

Assessment
Students are examined through continuous assessment usually through two assignments each module, completing their research modules with a minor thesis.

Application date

All applications should be made through the PAC system.

Closing Date : 30 June 2019

Closing date
Late applications may be considered if there are places remaining on the course.

Course fee

In general, there are two levels of fees payable. EU students from EU countries including Ireland pay a subsidised level of fees for both taught courses and research programmes. Tuition fees for students from outside the EU are not subsidised and are thus somewhat higher than for EU students.