If you are already enrolled in a graduate program at The University of Texas, you can also complete a cross-disciplinary certificate while you work on a master's, doctorate, or law degree.  These cross-disciplinary certificates are overseen by a Steering Committee of faculty from multiple colleges and administered as Portfolio Programs.  You can start a portfolio at any time during your graduate program and make progress at your own pace, although you must complete the Portfolio before you complete your degree.

APPLY HERE

Requirements:

Four graduate courses related to dispute resolution from more than two departments for a total of twelve credit hours

     Propose a list of courses to the Faculty Steering Committee for approval.  You should propose courses that represent at least two departments besides your home department.  A list of pre-approved courses is available, and you may also propose courses you identify.  (Courses must be open to outside students to be listed as pre-approved).  Approved courses must contain 25 percent dispute resolution content. You are welcome to propose an unlisted course using this form.  Download it and email it to utpcr@austin.utexas.edu.

One graduate course must cover general conflict or dispute resolution theory.

        Pre-approved courses:

Course	Professor	Class
Negotiation & Dispute Resolution	David Eaton	PA 381E
Conflict Management	Alan Kuperman	PA 388K
Alternative Dispute Resolution	Alan Rau	Law 281R
Conflict & Communication	Madeline Maxwell	CMS 390
Art & Science of Negotiation		MAN 383
Restorative Justice	Marilyn Armour	S W 393

Advanced skill-building

     This requirement can be filled by a 3-credit course in mediation, negotiation, or other dispute resolution skill, or by a minimum of 40 hours of non-credit training courses such as offered by the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution Center, the Institute for Restorative Justice, or the UT Project on Conflict Resolution,

Pre approved courses:

Course	Professor	Class
Mediation	Susan Schultz	LAW 381S
Practicum in Conflict Mediation	Madeline Maxwell	CMS 380E
Action Inquiry and Design	Patricia Wilson	CRP 385C
Qualitative & Participatory Methods	Patricia Wilson	CRP 381M
Art & Science of Negotiation		MAN 383
Human Resources Project Management	John Borcherding	C E 395S
Restorative Justice	Marilyn Armour	S W 393U

                                         

Pre-Approved Related Courses

Course	Professor	Class
Collaborative Leadership for Community Development	Claire Zutz	PA 150S
Managing Crises		PA 383C
Arbitration	Alan Rau	LAW 397S
Family Communication	Anita Vangelisti	CMS 386R
Groups, Teams & Communities	Dawna Ballard	CMS 386L
Dark Side Interpersonal Communication	Rene Dailey	CMS 386P
Lying & Deception	Matt McGlone	CMS 386P
Consultation in Organizations	Josh Barbour	CMS 390U
Perspective Taking	Matt McGlone	CMS 386P 9
Crisis Intervention	Suze Miller	SW 393R29
Preservation & Cultural Resolution	Rachael Rawlins	CRP 381-3
Environmental Policy & Law	Rachael Rawlins	CRP 381-9
Social Movements	Michael Young	SOC 396P 2

                           .                                                                              

A presentation of original scholarship to a public conference 

     You will conduct original research or its counterpart in your field; topics should include analysis and recommendation for the design, use, or regulation of dispute resolution processes.  A scholarly meeting, The Conflict Conference, is held each April.  Students should plan to submit their research for presentation at this or a similar gathering.  Students should plan on completing an original research paper of a quality commensurate with scholarly work in their home discipline.  The research may be completed in any course and should be signed off by the project's academic supervisor.  Portfolio students will attend the conference and participate in peer review.  The completed paper must be submitted to the Portfolio office and will be kept on file.

A practical experience in the field

     Students will engage in a practical experience related to the certificate, applying what they are learning.  This requirement can be accomplished through an internship for academic credit, a work experience, or some other substantial project.  The internship should be certified by the course faculty superviser.  If students do not take an internship course, they can petition for approval of their alternative experience to two appropriate members of the steering committee.

Application Procedure

Applications are reviewed by the Faculty Steering Committee, which reserves the right to admit or reject applicants and work programs based on evaluation of the materials submitted and program capacity.  The Graduate Portfolio in Dispute Resolution is administered by the UT Project on Conflict Resolution.  If you have questions about program requirements, contact Dr. Madeline Maxwell, Faculty Advisor for the Graduate Portfolio in Dispute Resolution, mmaxwell@austin.utexas.edu, or the program office, utpcr@austin.utexas.edu.

Dates

1. Students may apply in any semester of their program of study.
2. Applications can be submitted at any time.  Courses taken while in a graduate program but before application may be admissible with review.

Apply On Line through this link

1. In addition to contact information, you will need to present your degree program and include as much as you can about a work plan for satisfying the substantive requirements of the Dispute Resolution Portfolio: (a) 4 graduate courses, (b) research paper related to dispute resolution, (c) research presentation, and (d) practical experience.
2. The form has space for you to submit a short essay describing the relationship of the Portfolio to your degree program, career goals and interests, and the orientation or theme of your proposed plan of study (limit 300 words).

Home Department Support and Proof of Enrollment in Good Standing

1. Copy this link and ask your home department Graduate Advisor to approve your participation in the Graduate Portfolio in Dispute Resolution
2. Be sure to give your Graduate Advisor this password for the site:  portfolio

 

Faculty Steering Committee

Cockrell School of Engineering	John Borcherding
College of Education	Thomas M. Hunt
LBJ School of Public Affairs	David J. Eaton, Sherri R. Greenberg
McCombs School of Business	Ethan Burris, Linda Golden
Moody College of Communication	Joshua Barbour, Madeline M. Maxwell
School of Architecture	Robert G. Paterson, Rachael Rawlins, Patricia A. Wilson
School of Law	Alan S. Rau, Susan Schultz
School of Social Work	Marilyn Armour