The MA is a unique and innovative interdisciplinary programme which provides students with the academic knowledge and practical skills to resolve disputes between parties in a non-adversarial manner. Upon successful completion of the MA students receive both a HETAC Level 9 academic qualification and a certified mediator accreditation for the Mediators Institute of Ireland. Dispute resolution is one of the fastest-growing fields and academic disciplines both in Ireland and internationally, offering professional opportunities in the corporate, legal, educational, political, HR, health, and community settings, as well as many others. With the expected enactment of the Mediation Bill 2012 and the heightened interest and support for mediation across businesses and the legal community - mediation is increasingly recognised as an invaluable process for resolving many types of disputes ranging for complex commercial cases to community disputes. Furthermore, organisations are realising that they need to be more proactive in preventing and managing conflict and this has seen a heightened interest in conflict theory and the process of conflict coaching (both of which are studied on the MA).

-