Maynooth University

Mediation & Conflict Intervention

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.
(MH51M - 2 years Part-time
Students complete nine modules of 10 credits each over a two-year duration.)

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 will be required to have all of the following:

• A primary degree in any subject
• A written Personal Statement
• References from two referees
• Interview

Applicants must have a recognized primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Applicants without a primary degree may be considered if they have a Maynooth University Diploma in Mediation and Conflict Intervention OR if they have all of the following:

• A Certified Mediation Training and a Mediation Competency Assessment (Accredited by the Mediators Institute of Ireland or equivalent).

• An extensive career portfolio of at least 10 years in total including at least three years practicing as a mediator.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level.

Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non-EU applicants.

National University of Ireland Maynooth's TOEFL code is 8850

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@mu.ie
Website http://kennedyinstitute.nuim.ie/
Address Edward M Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention, 3rd Floor Rye Hall, North Campus, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Subjects taught

Full Time One Year Programme

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 2019/2020 the first semester delivers Research (MC603), Mediation Knowledge and Practice (MC615), Family Mediation (MC604), Advanced Family (MC623), Restorative Practices (MC608) 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.

Part-time MH51M
Two Year Part Time Programme
Each year has a different schedule with some modules repeated each year.

The first semester delivers the following modules. Research (MC603), Mediation Knowledge and Practice (MC615), Family Mediation (MC604), Mediation Theory into Practice (MC628), Values and Relationship in Mediation and Conflict Intervention (MC601) and Restorative Practices (MC608). The second semester modules are Commercial Mediation (MC607), Workplace Mediation (MC605), Peace Studies 1 - Resolving Protracted Conflict (MC629) and Peace Studies 2 -Post Conflict Challenges in Implementing Peace Agreements (MC630).

Year two modules include Mediation Knowledge and Practice (MC615), Family Mediation (MC604), Mediation Theory and Conflict Analysis (MC601), Organisational and Workplace Mediation (MC605), Conflict Resolution in Education (MC611) and Restorative Practice in Schools (MC616).

Schedule
The course is structured in modules of 6 days each. Each 6 day module in turn is (usually) broken down into two 3 day blocks (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday). The Restorative Practices Module (MC608) is structured in three blocks of two days, Thursdays and Fridays. The majority of modules are delivered on campus, however some course days are delivered off campus ( MC608, MC629 and MC630), in the North of Ireland or Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, Enniskerry. Students take the internship module Mediation Theory into Practice (MC628) off campus.

Students must complete one compulsory module MC601 or MC606 each year, whichever is being delivered in the year. Students without appropriate accreditation as a mediator must complete and pass MC615, the first module on offer each year. Students complete nine modules in total over two academic years.

Please see below provisional schedule. While every attempt will be made to keep to dates advertised it is important to note that all dates are provisional and will be confirmed upon commencement of the programme.

Course Duration: 2 Years Part-time

Comment

Course Delivery
The programme has a significant experiential element, providing ongoing opportunities to learn reflectively through exercises and in practice through individualized feedback and coaching. Formal presentations provide background theory on the specialist content areas.

Practitioners in the field deliver the training in the specialist areas. The module on Restorative Practice is delivered by the University of Ulster who have long experience of teaching this practice.

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.
Online application only http://www.pac.ie/maynoothuniversity

Closing Date : 30 June 2020.

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.