A degree in negotiation and conflict management teaches students problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.
Do you have a passion for helping people overcome legal and personal disputes, but no interest in becoming a lawyer? A career in negotiation and conflict management might be the right choice for you.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an employment growth rate of 8% from 2019 to 2029 for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, these professionals continue to help people resolve conflicts remotely.
By earning a master's in conflict resolution online, you can pursue a career in the fast-growing field of negotiation and conflict management. Read on for our ranking of the best online master's in negotiation and conflict management programs and to learn more about the career.
#1 | Northeastern University | Boston, MA |
#2 | University of Denver – University College | Denver, CO |
#3 | George Mason University | Fairfax, VA |
#4 | Dallas Baptist University | Dallas, TX |
#5 | Creighton University | Omaha, NE |
#6 | Dominican University | River Forest, IL |
#7 | Abilene Christian University | Abilene, TX |
#8 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
#9 | Touro University Worldwide | Los Alamitos, CA |
#10 | California University of Pennsylvania | California, PA |
The Best Online Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Management Programs
Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Northeastern University |
Boston, MA | ||
2 |
University of Denver – University College |
Denver, CO | ||
3 |
George Mason University |
Fairfax, VA | ||
4 |
Dallas Baptist University |
Dallas, TX | ||
5 |
Creighton University |
Omaha, NE | ||
6 |
Dominican University |
River Forest, IL | ||
7 |
Abilene Christian University |
Abilene, TX | ||
8 |
Nova Southeastern University |
Fort Lauderdale, FL | ||
9 |
Touro University Worldwide |
Los Alamitos, CA | ||
10 |
California University of Pennsylvania |
California, PA |
End of list, bravo!

Online Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Management Programs Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
What Is an Online Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Management?
An online master's in negotiation and conflict management prepares graduates for mediator, conciliator, or negotiator careers. Professionals in entry-level positions in the field can use this online degree to boost their credentials, staying competitive in the job market, while established professionals in counseling or law can use it to enhance conflict resolution skills.
A typical online master's in negotiation and conflict management takes about two years to complete. Over the course of the program, students develop skills in communication, cultural literacy, and conflict resolution. They also learn how to navigate the legal system and understand key features of typical legal disputes.
Choosing an Online Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Management Program
When evaluating an online master's in negotiation and conflict management program, consider the factors that most influence your experience: cost, location, program length, and availability of specializations. For example, some programs may offer electives that skew toward arbitration or mediation, while others offer more generalist courses or take a business focus.
Accreditation for Online Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Management Degrees
When choosing an online master's program in negotiation and conflict management, stick with programs from schools with regional accreditation. This designation indicates that the institution meets high standards for education quality and student career outcomes. Attending a regionally accredited school also ensures you can transfer credits if you decide to change schools or attend a doctoral program later.
Currently, there is no programmatic accrediting body specifically dedicated to negotiation and conflict management programs.
What Can I Expect When Pursuing a Master's in Negotiation and Conflict Management Online?
Course offerings and concentrations tend to vary from one negotiation and conflict management program to the next. However, most programs cover topics like the place of alternative dispute resolution in the legal system, conflict resolution in corporate settings, and fundamentals of family conflicts. Below are a few example courses.
Common Courses in Negotiation and Conflict Management Online Programs
- Commercial Conflict Resolution: This course targets students interested in using their degrees in a corporate environment, where strong negotiation and conflict management skills come in handy. During this course, students learn how to address conflict between business rivals, business partners, management levels, and employees in a constructive and neutral way.
- Divorce and Family Mediation: In this course, students learn how to mediate family court cases, such as divorce, parent guardianship, and child protection. The instructor may use role-playing exercises to simulate the family court environment. Other possible topics include the impact of domestic violence on mediation, effects of separation on children, and family mediation ethics.
- Ethics of Conflict Resolution: This course explores how ethical conflicts in conflict resolution can lead to unintended consequences for clients and practitioners. Learners study neutrality, informed consent, and confidentiality through case studies and relevant texts, such as the American Bar Association's code of ethics for mediators.
- Family Conflict Resolution: In this course, students investigate common legal disputes between family members, such as divorce, child custody, and inheritance. Course materials also cover the complex nature of purely personal disagreements between family members. The course covers strategies for resolving emotionally charged personal and legal conflicts between family members.
- Intercultural Conflict Resolution: This course explores how cultural and ethnic differences can create or exacerbate local and global conflicts. Students learn the basics of cultural literacy to help them combat intercultural conflict. Course materials explore case studies of cultural conflicts over issues such as trade, immigration, and access to resources.
- Leadership and Conflict Engagement: This course explores how conflict can impact change efforts within an organization and what organizational leaders can do to mitigate organizational conflict. Course materials typically cover supporting theories and history behind leadership and change management, as well as strategies for responding to conflict brought on by organizational change.
- Negotiation: Learners explore how negotiation skills can help resolve different kinds of conflicts. Course materials investigate how disputing parties and third-party mediators use negotiation as a tool to forge important agreements. As part of the course, learners may participate in role-playing exercises supervised by experienced negotiators.
Negotiation and Conflict Management Dual Degrees
Many students earn a master's in negotiation and conflict management as part of a dual degree. This allows graduates to complement the degree with a master's in a neighboring field.
For example, a future family and marriage therapist with an interest in mediation might pursue a dual master's in family and marriage therapy and negotiation and conflict management. Meanwhile, a student with an interest in law might pursue a dual master's in negotiation and conflict management and law.
Commonly paired specialties for negotiation and conflict management dual degrees include:
- Environmental studies
- Law
- Public administration
- Social work
Professional Organizations
Professional organizations provide access to networking opportunities, job listings, and continuing education resources for students and seasoned professionals alike. Negotiation and conflict management master's students can also benefit from peer mentorship opportunities.
- American Arbitration Association The AAA is the largest global provider of alternative dispute resolution services. The organization's resources for professionals and students working in negotiation and conflict management include webinars, online courses, and networking events.
- National Association for Community Mediation NAFCM advocates for peacemakers who help communities avoid prolonged litigation through alternative dispute resolution. Student members get free access to webinars, the NAFCM virtual library, and the online directory, where they can add listings.
- Association for Conflict Resolution ACR advances professionals and students pursuing conflict resolution careers through its CareerCenter Bank. It also offers grant funding for conflict resolutions professionals and students working with youth.
Negotiation and Conflict Management Careers
A negotiation and conflict management degree typically prepares graduates for work in mediation, arbitration, and conciliation; counseling; and law.
Below are a few common careers for graduates, but keep in mind that some of these careers require additional education or certification in other fields. Additionally, these are just examples: A master's in negotiation and conflict management can help you gain employment in a variety of other fields as well.
Marriage and Family Therapists
Median Salary (2019): $49,610 | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 22% |
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Marriage and family therapists help families and couples navigate difficult problems in their relationships. This specialized area of mental health services may interest negotiation and conflict management majors because it focuses strongly on mediating conflict in human relationships. These therapists need strong skills in empathizing and communicating with others to help their clients overcome differences.
To gain licensure as a family and marriage therapist, you usually need a master's in family and marriage therapy and several thousand hours of supervised practice. From there, you must apply to your state mental health board.
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Median Salary (2019): $63,930 | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 8% |
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Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators help resolve legal disputes outside the court system. These professionals facilitate communication between disputing parties using negotiation strategies. In order to help their clients reach mutually beneficial agreements, they must be able to communicate effectively, read people's emotional states and needs, and de-escalate conflict.
To work in this field, you typically need a bachelor's in a relevant field, such as negotiation and conflict management. Some states require additional certification as an arbitrator or conciliator, so check local requirements.
Social and Community Service Managers
Median Salary (2019): $67,150 | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 17% |
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Social and community service managers work in public service industries, managing social welfare programs that aim to serve the public good. On a typical day, they may attend meetings, discuss budget concerns for different social programs, or coordinate public events. Because these managers must balance different aspects of the public's needs, they need strong verbal communication and social skills.
Social and community service management does not usually require state licensure or any special degree beyond a bachelor's-level management degree. However, some employers may require candidates with an MBA, especially with a specialization in social and community service management.
Judges and Hearing Officers
Median Salary (2019): $120,090 | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 2% |
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Judges and hearing officers oversee the legal process, presiding over and ruling on hearings in courts of law. These professionals need a deep love for the law, proclivity for research, and good people skills. Judges and hearing officers must effectively interact with disputing parties and their lawyers every day.
The education requirements for judges and hearing officers vary. Most positions require a law degree and good standing in the local bar association to qualify. However, an advanced degree in negotiation and conflict management can usually qualify you for a lower-ranking hearing officer or magistrate position.
Lawyers
Median Salary (2019): $122,960 | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029): 4% |
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Lawyers represent the interests of disputing parties within the court system, arguing for restitution or justice for their clients during case hearings. Because they need to communicate effectively with their clients and argue their cases convincingly in a court of law, lawyers need strong verbal and written communication and argumentation skills.
For licensure, lawyers must pass the bar exam. Negotiation and conflict management graduates do not qualify for taking the bar exam; instead, aspiring lawyers must earn a juris doctorate degree from an accredited school before they can take the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
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