Graduate Portfolio Program in Dispute Resolution
General Info
The Graduate Portfolio Program in Dispute Resolution creates an interdisciplinary approach to the study and research of conflict and dispute resolution by integrating existing resources throughout the University into a single program. The program synthesizes theory with practical application.
The program includes the Masters Portfolio, the Doctoral Portfolio, and the Law School Portfolio. The Masters Portfolio is primarily for graduate students for whom the Masters degree is the student’s terminal professional degree. The Doctoral Portfolio is distinguished by the imposition of a more rigorous research and writing requirement.
Participating schools presently include: LBJ School of Public Affairs, College of Communication, School of Architecture, McCombs School of Business, College of Education, College of Engineering, School of Nursing, School of Social Work, Department of Government and Department of Sociology in College of Liberal Arts, and School of Law. Additional interested academic units may join, subject to the approval of the dean of that school.
The program appears on the student’s transcripts as follows:
Degree: Masters degree title, Doctoral degree title, or Law degree title
Major: Home graduate program or Law
With certification in the Graduate Portfolio Program in Dispute Resolution
Course Requirements
Students must complete twelve credit hours from a list of courses approved by the program’s faculty steering committee. Students can request that courses not on the list be approved on an ad hoc basis. The courses selected must meet four substantive requirements:
1. A course in general conflict or dispute resolution theory
2. An advanced course or skill-building course in either arbitration, mediation or negotiation
3. An internship or other practical application of dispute resolution processes and
4. A course requiring a research paper in dispute resolution
In addition to the course requirements, students must prepare and orally present a research paper at the annual research symposium. The research paper for students in a Masters program or the Law School must constitute a contribution to the dispute resolution field. The research paper of a student in a Doctoral program must constitute a contribution to the theory of dispute resolution.
The portfolio program is designed so students may complete the requirements of the program without extending the time necessary to complete the student's graduate degree program; however, depending on the requirements of the student's home graduate program, additional time may be necessary.
Program Admission
A student who is enrolled and who is in good standing in a graduate degree program in any participating academic unit (currently the schools listed above) of the University may apply. The student may apply at any time during the student’s graduate tenure. Approximately, fifteen new students will be admitted each academic year. Thus, admission is expected to be selective. Total enrollment is anticipated to be sixty students.
More information
You may contact the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution by phone 512-471-3507 or Email GPPDR.