MA In Dispute Resolution

Course details

The MA is a unique and innovative interdisciplinary programme which provides students with the academic knowledge and practical skills to resolve disputes between parties in a non-adversarial manner. Upon successful completion of the MA students receive both a QQI Level 9 academic qualification and a certified mediator accreditation for the Mediators Institute of Ireland.

Dispute resolution is one of the fastest-growing fields and academic disciplines both in Ireland and internationally, offering professional opportunities in the corporate, legal, educational, political, HR, health, and community settings, as well as many others.

With the expected enactment of the Mediation Bill 2012 and the heightened interest and support for mediation across businesses and the legal community – mediation is increasingly recognised as an invaluable process for resolving many types of disputes ranging for complex commercial cases to community disputes. Furthermore, organisations are realising that they need to be more proactive in preventing and managing conflict and this has seen a heightened interest in conflict theory and the process of conflict coaching (both of which are studied on the MA).

The MA in Dispute Resolution focuses on a wide range of non-adversarial dispute resolution processes including arbitration, mediation, conflict coaching and negotiation across a number of different sectors, including family, commercial, construction, and workplace. The curriculum is interdisciplinary, combining concepts from law, business management, international relations, policy studies, sociology, psychology and organisational development.

The mixture of experience-based learning through role plays and formal lectures by industry experts will give students a hands-on understanding of a full range of this exciting and fast-growing sector and it is designed for Individuals new to the field, as well as for professionals who want to enhance current capabilities and skills in their chosen field. The MA in Dispute Resolution is as much practical as it is academic. The focus of the faculty teaching the course is to provide students will the skills of dispute resolution along with the theory to support those skills.

Semester 1

Research Methods: this short module will provide students will the essential research skills for completing assignments, exams and a dissertation during the MA.

Understanding Conflict & Dispute Resolution: this module focuses on the theory of conflict and the process of conflict coaching. Students will explore the cycles of conflict, the way people perceive and react to conflict, the psychology of conflict and the skills required to coach people during a conflict. Issues relevant to conflict such as gender, culture, bias will also be explored in this module.

Mediation: Theory & Practice: Part 1: this module focuses on the theory of mediation with a particular emphasis on the core principled underpinning the mediation process. Students will learn the core stages in a mediation process, the types of mediation styles, the legal framework underpinning mediation – including the implications of the Mediation Bill 2012 and the core principles of mediation, a comparative review of mediation in other countries, and niche areas of growth such as elder mediation, probate mediation, peer mediation will be examined. Students will also be taught how to deliver an effective information session on mediation during this module.

Arbitration: Law and Procedure: this module focuses on the law and procedure of arbitration in Ireland under the Arbitration Act 2010. Students will examine the process the arbitration, the role of the arbitrator, and review the leading Irish and international case law on arbitration. Arbitration remains an important dispute resolution process in Ireland. This module will also touch on the process of adjudication which will be introduced in Ireland under the Constructions Contract Bill and explore how adjudication differs from arbitration in terms of process and the role of the third party.

Semester 2

Negotiation: Theory & Practice: this module will cover negotiations in a cross-sector of fields including: Legal, Business, Management, and Workplace and HR. The teachings are derived from the Harvard Negotiation Project. This practical based module is highly interactive, with a joint emphasis on negotiation theory and practical negotiation skills. Students will engage in a series of hands-on simulations, ranging from two-party encounters to complex multi-party scenarios. The ‘7 Elements of Negotiation’ will be taught to provide students with a framework to forensically prepare, conduct and analyse negotiation performance.

Mediation: Theory & Practice: Part 2: this module is 100% skills focused. Students are taught the essential skills to become a certified mediator with the Mediators Institute of Ireland. Students are primarily taught through the use of stimulated role-plays. The lecturer will also work one-on-one with each student to develop the confidence and competency to become a certified mediator.

Electives: students also choose one elective during Semester 2. The choices for the elective include: Workplace Dispute Resolution, Family Dispute Resolution or International Commercial Dispute Resolution. Each elective has both an academic and practical element.

Additional

Dissertation: Students must also complete a dissertation of between 15,000 to 20,000 words. Students will be assigned supervisor to assist and support students in completing their dissertation.

Entry Requirements

Requirements

This MA is suitable for graduates of law or related disciplines (2.2 honours degree or higher) or those who have relevant work experience and who wish to develop their knowledge of this increasingly important area field. The entry requirements may be outlined as follows:

Law Graduates:

Candidates should have an upper second class honours degree in law at Level 8 (or equivalent). Students with a lower second class honours degree will be considered. Qualifications from candidates based outside of Ireland will be assessed using the NARIC International Comparison System. This ensures there are equal opportunities for overseas students.