Program Specifics

Practicum
To complete the M.S. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution, you must complete a total of 130 hours of practicum. You are responsible for documenting your practicum hours, and must have these hours verified and signed by your on-site supervisor. Practicum I and II must be passed with a grade of “B” or better. The practicum experience is designed to provide you with an experiential opportunity to utilize conflict resolution methodology and theory within a diversity of professional settings. You will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts within a practical framework.

Practicum I and II provide a community placement for the student to develop and refine practitioner skills. Using the Practicum experience, students have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts within a practical framework under the supervision of an on site supervisor. The Director of Practicum and Field research will work with you to establish a placement suited to your interests, if possible.

Practicum placements have been established in an array of settings, such as schools, prisons, court systems, parks, human services agencies, community organizations and corporations. Additionally, the student is encouraged to explore and initiate a Practicum setting specific to their own individual interests. If students find an appropriate site, the Practicum Director will assist the student in calling the site and negotiating for a placement.

Additionally, the student will attend a Practicum class with course work and faculty supervision. The student must receive contractual approval from both the Practicum Director and the agency on site supervisor before beginning the required Practicum hours. The student is responsible for documenting Practicum hours and receiving supervisor approval. The practice component of the student's Practicum is evaluated by the on site supervisor each trimester; this evaluation is combined with the classroom performance and course requirements and converted into a final overall grade by the Practicum Faculty.

Although employment opportunities may develop from Practicum placements, students may not be paid for Practicum hours until the required number of hours is completed and grades assigned for the Practicum courses. All students are automatically covered by liability insurance provided by the University during their Practicum practice; this coverage is included in student registration fees and covers Practicum, as well as any other mediation, training, or consulting experiences the student may become involved in during the course of their program.

Master’s Thesis Option
The student may write a research thesis. The thesis is 6 credits and counts as two elective. Instead of the electives offered in the fall and winter trimesters of the second year, thesis students register for Master’s Thesis. Entrance into the thesis track is not automatic; students must meet eligibility requirements. Details regarding the Master’s Please visit http://shss.nova.edu/downloads.htm for the Master’s Thesis handbook.

Examinations and Evaluations
In addition to successfully completing all course work, and obtaining the required practicum hours discussed above, you must pass a comprehensive examination to be awarded the M.S. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution. When you have completed all coursework and practicum hours, have maintained a "B" average in all classes with no "incomplete" grades, and are a "student in good standing" with no disciplinary actions pending or disciplinary tasks to complete, you will be eligible to take the comprehensive examination. The comprehensive exam is an assessment of your ability to integrate the knowledge and skills gained through course work and the practicum experience. The exam tests your written ability to critically analyze and apply conflict assessment, theory, and research methodology to hypothetical conflict situations. The exam also tests your knowledge of material specific to the academic curriculum.

The comprehensive exam is offered twice a year: in January and June. The exam has two sections; students must answer two questions from each section. The sections are:

• Theories (morning)
• Practice (afternoon)

The exam takes an entire day. The student is given four hours to complete each section, with a lunch break in between sections. Students have the choice of sitting for the exam on NSU’s main campus, at selected NSU Educational Centers, or at another site selected by DCAR. If the student takes the exam at NSU or an NSU center, there are no assessed fees related to the exam. Some approved locations may charge a fee for proctoring the exam. Should the student choose to take the exam at such a location, that fee may be assessed to the student.

Two faculty members grade each question. Students are assigned an examination number. Thus, faculty members do not know whose answers they are reviewing. All four questions must be answered correctly to pass the exam. Passing three of four questions means the failed part of the exam must be retaken. Passing fewer than three questions is a failing score, and means the entire exam must be retaken. Students have five years to complete degree requirements.

Both reviewers must award a passing grade, in order for it to be deemed that the student passed each question. If one reviewer submits a passing grade and the other submits a failing grade, they will be asked to confer. If they subsequently concur, then the grade has been determined. If they do not agree, the chair shall appoint a third reviewer. The third reviewer’s grade shall determine whether the student has passed or failed the section.