Kroc Flex MSCMR

Develop Critical Conflict Resolution Skills on a Flexible Schedule

Seeking the skills to help resolve disputes and bridge divides, but busy balancing the demands of work, family or both? We get it. With the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies' Flex MS in Conflict Management & Resolution (MSCMR) program, you'll receive the same rigorous curriculum the Kroc School is known for, in a format that's built for flexibility. Tailor your schedule to meet your needs, with classes offered in-person, online or in a hybrid approach with short residencies.

This interdisciplinary graduate program draws in working professionals from around the globe. With various backgrounds, MSCMR students learn the skills necessary to expertly navigate intra-societal conflicts at the individual, workplace, community, national and international levels.

Pursuing a master's in conflict management and resolution can equip you with the knowledge and experience to: understand the underlying causes of conflict; anticipate, prevent, resolve or transform conflicts wherever they arise; and build more peaceful, just and collaborative societies. Do you want to learn more about the field of conflict management and resolution? Check out our guide, How Peace and Conflict Studies Make You a Top-Tier Job Candidate.

Fall & Spring Start

Enter Any Semester

Flexible Formats

To Accomodate Your Life

30-units

COMPLETED ANYTIME WITHIN SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS

15-24 Months

Course waivers available

Full-time Intensity

Mostly in-person & on campus

Part-time Flexibility

In-person, evening format, some online

Hybrid Approach

Online with Short on-campus residencies & Immersive sessions

See the Difference — MSCMR Program Comparison

No matter which Kroc School MSCMR format you choose, you'll have access to the same curriculum, courses, all taught by our world-class faculty. Whether you’re primarily taking classes in-person or online, you will have access to the same extracurricular, networking, and professional development opportunities that the Kroc School of Peace Studies and the University of San Diego has to offer.

What sets the Kroc Flex MSCMR apart? Flex MSCMR students are looking to keep their current careers on track while they pursue an advanced degree. With a mix of in-person, online and hybrid classes, you'll get to know your classmates and professors in a way that's difficult to replicate in fully online programs, while still having the flexibility of taking classes remotely. Complete the program spending as little as four weeks on campus or as much as two years.

Take a look at our comparison chart below to determine which format is right for you!

Side by Side — MSCMR Program Comparison

MSCMR Format Comparison
*Some elective courses are offered in the evening on weekdays or during the day on weekends. International students in need of Form I-20 or DS-2019 must pursue the full-time pathway per U.S. regulations.
	Full-Time MSCMR	Flex MSCMR
Designed for	Working professionals (in person, evening format)	Working professionals (in person, evening online and hybrid classes)
Program start	Fall & Spring	Fall & Spring
Length	15 months	15-24 months
Schedule	Core classes typically take place two evenings per week, on campus. *Week one begins with orientation activities and the first MSCMR class, which mostly take place during regular business hours.
Program Elements	Local and international field trips. Real-world case studies. Access to the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge. Optional graduate certificate program.

Flexible Schedule With Concrete Results

Designed For Flexibility

Through a curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning, students of peace studies and conflict management learn multiple approaches to effectively manage and resolve conflict, graduating with a readiness to transform conflict into positive change through conflict analysis, intervention design, negotiation, mediation and facilitation and dialogue. Hear directly from students, faculty, and administrators as they discuss the benefits of such a unique program.

Meet Recent Alumni

Discover the opportunities for students in our master's in conflict management & resolution program at the University of San Diego. This program at the Kroc School of Peace Studies combines theory with practice, unlike any other graduate program in conflict studies. Meet recent alumni of the MSCMR program.

Apply Now Meet with an Admission Advisor

Courses That Inspire

Conflict Management and Resolution students learn conflict management skills and pursue a wide variety of careers across industries. Graduates work within organizations as ombudspeople, diplomats, mediators, policy makers, human resources specialists, nonprofit leaders and much more. Below are just a few of our featured courses, and interdepartmental skills gained through the Kroc Flex MSCMR program.

Featured Classes

KROC 530

Conflict Analysis & Resolution

This course will examine how conflicts are identified and analyzed, from low-level political violence to major armed conflict and what theories and tools exist to resolve these conflicts. Students will read classic works in this interdisciplinary field, gaining an understanding of the different scholarly approaches taken to prevent and resolve armed conflict. Students will work in teams on particular case studies, applying theories learned.

KROC 533

Mediation

This course will focus on skills-building in mediation. Students will learn and practice a variety of tools and methods of mediating conflicts and disputes. Our experiential class will be divided between learning the traditional mediation skills, practice, and theory, including the benefits and limitations of mediation as a dispute resolution method on the one hand, and alternative approaches to mediation on the other.

KROC 531

Intervention Design

The Intervention Design course provides a framework for students to synthesize and apply knowledge and practical skills gained during the program to create a specific conflict management/resolution project.

KROC 532

Negotiations

Negotiation is the most widely used means of conflict management. The aim of this course is to develop your understanding of the principles, strategies, and tactics of effective negotiation in emotionally charged conflict situations. The role of identity – culture, gender, religion, nationality, class – will be mainstreamed throughout the course.

See Full Curriculum Read Our Curriculum Guide

Certificate Program

Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution

This program is another option for MSCMR students and non-degree-seeking students strengthening their resumes through a certificate. If you are not ready to commit to a degree program or already have a graduate degree, consider our 9-credit Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

You will share the classroom with Master's degree students and have an opportunity to apply all 9 credits to our MS in Conflict Management and Resolution program through this certificate. All certificate courses are taught by our expert faculty and provide working professionals with access to the Kroc School's professional expertise and educational resources while being delivered through a flexible hybrid model, with classes delivered in-person and online.

Talk With An Adivsor

Concentration Program

Security Studies Concentration

The Master of Science in Conflict Management and Resolution (MS-CMR) program offers an optional concentration in Security Studies. This concentration provides students with advanced expertise in security-related topics, complementing their core skills in conflict management and resolution.

In partnership with Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid, Spain, this concentration prepares students to address the evolving challenges of international security. From hybrid warfare to digital security, students gain the knowledge and tools needed to navigate a dynamic and complex security landscape.

The curriculum bridges foundational theories in international relations, peace studies, and security studies with practical skills and applications. Students explore various conflict types, including interstate, hybrid, and proxy conflicts, while developing an understanding of military strategies employed by both state and non-state actors.

Learn More Apply Now

Build a Career in Management and Resolution

MS in Conflict Management & Resolution graduates make a global impact through careers in public and private sectors, as well as intergovernmental organizations and nonprofits.

Download our e-Book

$100,000

Average Salary

variety of roles in diplomacy

Innovating Peace Blog

$94,940 - $101,854

Average Salary

of Conflict Resolution Services Manager with a Master's Degree

salary.com

Employment by Organization

Non-Profit: 56%
For-Profit: 25%
Education: 20%
PhD Programs: 16%
Government: 15%
Multilateral Organization: 4%
Military: 3%
Religious Institution: 4%

Employment by Sector

Conflict Resolution: 19%
Human Rights: 13%
International Development: 12%
Peace Education: 9%
Social Entrepreneurship: 7%
Human Security: 13%
Other: 27%

Where Recent Graduates Found Employment:

Kroc School Student Outcomes Start Your Application

Tuition, Scholarships and Financial Aid

Let’s Talk Kroc Flex MSCMR Cost

Enrolling in graduate school constitutes a significant commitment, one that can shape your future trajectory. At the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, we see tuition as more than just a cost – it's an investment in the impact you will have as a Changemaker. Recognizing the importance of mitigating financial concerns, we offer generous scholarships to make a Kroc School education attainable.

MSCMR Tuition & Financial Aid USD Financial Aid

Request More Information About the Kroc Flex MSCMR

Have questions about cost, curriculum or even campus visit? Get your questions answered by one of our admissions advisors by requesting more informaiton below.

Next Steps