GCCR PROGRAM BEGINS EACH MAY
The Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution at Carleton University is an executive style graduate level program that offers working professionals the opportunity to develop a set of core competencies to understand and effectively intervene in a variety of conflict situations.
It is one of the few, if not the only, program in Canada that confers graduate credits to students undertaking a course of study in conflict at the certificate level. Upon completion of the program, students, who come from sectors that include education, health care, law, social work, law enforcement, human resources, as well as managers in public, private-sector and not-for-profit organizations, are provided with the tools they need to enhance their performance when dealing with conflict and achieve more desirable outcomes in both their professional and personal lives.
Of significance in the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution program is that it integrates both theory and practice in its course of study. Adult learners interact with researchers, theorists and highly skilled practitioners while they study along side other students who are highly competent professionals in their own right. Students are taught and mentored by conflict resolution professionals and researchers actively engaged in advancing the field of conflict and its resolution. As a result of their efforts, the insight approach to conflict and insight mediation was developed in 2001 and are now core teachings within the GCCR curriculum.
A further advantage of the GCCR program is its focus on ensuring students become competent in the practice of mediation, as well as knowledgeable about the theories that under lie it. This is done through two unique aspects. The first is the “Independent Learning Initiative (ILI) that is a part of each course. The IIL involves journaling, role playing and other self-reflective activities that help students become more aware of their strengths and challenges; it also teaches students to become reflective practitioners. The second is the “Skills Assessment”, which is undertaken after course work is completed. The Skills assessment involves students in a simulated mediation session that is assessed by a member of the faculty and a practising professional to give the student a good sense of their level of competency to work as a sole practitioner at that point in time. A student run program of simulated mediation practice supported by trained coaches helps students prepare for their skills assessment.
Individuals with little or no experience, or those already working in the field of conflict resolution, will engage in a challenging and fulfilling program of study through the GCCR program as they endeavour to learn new, or refine existing, conflict management techniques and gain an understanding of the principles that underlie their application. To discover more about the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution program at Carleton University, please use the navigation links on the left hand side. If you have further questions, please contact Jennifer Links, Program Coordinator at 613-520-2600 ext. 2621 or jennifer_links@carleton.ca.