2026 Most Popular Online Master's Degrees in Conflict Resolution
Our list of the most popular online conflict resolution master's degree programs highlights institutionally accredited schools ranked by overall online enrollment, helping you identify established universities with the scale, infrastructure, and experience to support fully online graduate study in this field.
Key Takeaways:
- Regent University Online ranks #1 overall, reporting 4,800+ online students.
- The University of Missouri ranks #2 and posts a 91% retention rate, keeping students on track from term to term.
- California State University - Dominguez Hills reports that graduates from its online MA in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding have a median salary of $97,885.
You can review our methodology to see how we rank schools using overall online enrollment data. Below the list, Eric Estling, a conflict resolution practitioner and educator, offers a firsthand perspective on career paths in the field and practical guidance for evaluating programs to find the best fit for your goals.
List Of Accredited Online Conflict Resolution Schools
| School | Online Enrollment | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Regent University Online | $11,440 | |
| University of Missouri | 2,719 | $10,975 |
| Touro University Worldwide | 1,906 | $18,000 |
| Abilene Christian University | 1,551 | $11,700 |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 1,515 | $21,137 |
| California State University - Dominguez Hills | 796 | $5,778 |
| Dominican University | 654 | $11,250 |
| Brenau University | 565 | $27,885 |
2026 Most Popular Online Master's Degrees in Conflict Resolution
- Online Enrollment: 4,806 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $11,440
- Location: Virginia Beach (VA)
Why we like them: RUO is #1 on our list for its online scale, with 4,800+ distance learners. This level of online enrollment puts RUO among roughly the top 2% by size, which signals a mature digital infrastructure, abundant course offerings, and a broad peer network in the field. RUO delivers a law-centered program via a 32鈥慶redit Master of Legal Studies concentration in Negotiation, Mediation, and Dispute Resolution designed for non-attorneys, completed in five semesters with no LSAT. You get immersive practice via simulated negotiations that are video鈥憆ecorded for faculty critique. Instruction is framed through a Christian worldview with explicit attention to ethical codes, providing a values orientation.
- Online Enrollment: 2,719 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $10,975
- Location: Columbia (MO)
Why we like them: MU has the best recommendation rate (98%) and graduation rate (76%) of any school on our list. Rather than a general MS, this master's program is built expressly for JD holders and select public- and private-sector professionals, so you study mediation, arbitration, and negotiation at a law-school depth. MU launched this LLM in 1999 as the first of its kind and houses it in the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution, connecting you to scholar-practitioners such as Ilhyung Lee and Paul Ladehoff, who also directs the Campus Mediation Service for practice-grounded exposure. You customize 24 credits without residencies through asynchronous courses and group projects.
- Online Enrollment: 1,906 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $18,000
- Location: Los Angeles (CA)
Why we like them: At TUW, you take a dedicated Ombuds Profession course aligned to International Ombudsman Association Standards of Practice. You gain global fluency through International Business Dispute Resolution, including investment arbitration, which few master鈥檚 programs cover as substantively. You move through an applied 鈥減ractice of鈥� sequence 鈥� arbitration, negotiation and mediation, and facilitation 鈥� plus a standalone ADR Ethics course, so you build advocacy skills and ethical judgment while studying restorative practice, grounding your toolkit in community-healing frameworks with direct relevance to education, nonprofit, and public contexts.
- Online Enrollment: 1,551 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $11,700
- Location: Abilene (TX)
Why we like them: With this program, you benefit from ACU鈥檚 locked-in tuition that safeguards you from price increases for the entire program 鈥� a differentiator that helps you budget with certainty while we keep total cost predictability front and center. You also earn a graduate Certificate in Conflict Management automatically and at no additional cost as you progress. We further appreciate the Fast Lane option that lets high-performing applicants finish in as little as 12 months by taking two courses per session. You can tailor your preparation through unique concentrations, like the Healthcare Organizations track that targets interprofessional dynamics specific to clinical settings.
- Online Enrollment: 1,515 enrolled
- Annual Tuition: $21,137
- Location: Greensboro (NC)
Why we like them: At UNCG, you can choose from two distinctive concentration options 鈥� (1) Sustainable Peace and Justice or (2) Transformative Peace and Conflict 鈥� which gives you niche options rarely offered in the field, which is rarer to begin with. This program can be a meaningful way for you to align coursework with advocacy, community practice, or change management goals. The program is housed within the School of Health and Human Sciences, positioning you to engage with systemic, human-centered approaches across families, organizations, and communities. We also like the stackable pathway through a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies, allowing you to test the curriculum or build credentials en route to the MA.
Why Conflict Resolution Attracts a Different Kind of Graduate Student
People drawn to conflict resolution tend to share a few traits: they鈥檙e systems-minded, emotionally intelligent, and deeply interested in how power, communication, and ethics intersect in real life. They don鈥檛 all want the same job. Some envision mediation rooms and arbitration panels, while others see themselves shaping organizational culture, healthcare teams, labor negotiations, community justice initiatives, or peacebuilding efforts.
That diversity of outcomes is exactly why choosing the right program matters more here than in many other graduate fields. Conflict resolution doesn't lead to a single profession 鈥� it鈥檚 a transferable skillset that behaves very differently depending on context, credibility, and network.
Looking across this dataset of online master鈥檚 programs above, a few clear patterns emerge that we want to discuss further below. Together, they reveal what actually separates strong programs from more risky ones and how prospective students can read between the lines.
For Conflict Resolution Students, Popularity Is a Measure of Support
Across these programs, online enrollment ranges from under 600 students to nearly 5,000. This range is meaningful, especially when you're considering a field that relies on discussion, practice, and peer interaction.
For online conflict resolution master's students, scale isn鈥檛 about brand recognition. It鈥檚 about operational maturity. Larger online populations tend to signal the following:
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Stable course rotation (you鈥檙e less likely to delay graduation waiting on a class)
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Experienced online faculty who know how to teach the real-world skills you'll need
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Better-developed advising, tech support, and mediation simulations
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Broader peer cohorts for role-plays, feedback, and networking
To play the devil's advocate, very small online enrollments can perhaps feel more intimate, but they can also mean fewer electives to choose from, thinner scheduling flexibility, and heavier reliance on self-direction. For students who plan to lean on peer practice and alumni connections to advance professionally, considering the scale of an online school can play a large role in shaping their experience long after graduation.
Recommendation Rates, a Signal of Trust
Recommendation rates in this dataset span from below 70% to nearly 100%.
These figures are drawn from over 90,000 student reviews collected over time. They answer a single, powerful question: 鈥淲ould you do this again?鈥�
In a field centered on communication, ethics, and interpersonal dynamics, student sentiment and firsthand experience can carry weight when it comes to choosing the best school for you. The schools with very high recommendation rates, like Abilene and Bruneau, tend to succeed in:
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Managing expectations around workload
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Providing meaningful feedback
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Fostering respectful, psychologically safe learning environments
When, on the other hand, recommendation rates dip noticeably below peers, it doesn鈥檛 mean a program lacks substance. It often means the experience doesn鈥檛 match the promise 鈥� a critical consideration for online learners who depend on structure, clarity, and responsiveness.
The Most Important Divide: What Kind of Conflict Are You Preparing For?
Some programs on our list above frame conflict resolution as:
Law-adjacent negotiation and mediation
Organizational leadership/management
Labor-management relations
Healthcare dynamics
Others frame it as a combination of the following aspects:
Peacebuilding
Restorative practice
Social justice
Community transformation
You want to make sure that you truly understand a program's intention, especially at this level where you'll be going into the material in greater depth. Students who want professional credibility in formal dispute settings often benefit from programs that emphasize structured simulations, ethics codes, and institutional legitimacy. Those drawn to advocacy, education, or community work often thrive in programs that emphasize systems thinking, human sciences, and transformative frameworks.
The strongest programs commit clearly to one vision rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
Eric Estling, Peacebuilding Director: Conflict Resolution Is a Skill Set That Applies Everywhere
Managing Director at RPCP
Potential Career Avenues for Graduates of Conflict Resolution
"A master鈥檚 degree program in conflict resolution can truly prepare students for a wide variety of potential career paths. The most obvious would be as a mediator or facilitator. Mediators work in community, resolving interpersonal challenges or community based conflicts, and they also work in courts, helping to address legal disputes.
Graduates of a masters degree in conflict resolution can also pursue careers in the nonprofit sector (pursuing work in restorative justice, advocacy, education, or community empowerment), the public sector (working in governance or community relations), or in international organizations (helping to address international affairs and support global peacebuilding initiatives).
Additionally, some students pursue a degree in conflict resolution as a way of enhancing the work they already do. For example, lawyers might pursue a masters in conflict resolution as a way of equipping them with alternative dispute resolution strategies that they can use with their clients, or people working in HR might pursue study of conflict resolution to support workplace conflicts and positive team dynamics. Truthfully, the study of conflict resolution can support any field in which we find conflict, which is to say, all of them!"
Conflict Resolution Coursework
"The courses that will be most valuable to students of conflict resolution will really depend on the goals that students bring to the program. For example, students interested in law, alternative dispute resolution, and organizational conflict management should explore programs that provide courses about mediation, facilitation, and negotiation strategies. Students interested in community work may also want to study restorative justice, social identity, power, and trauma. If a student鈥檚 focus is more on international conflict, they may want to pursue courses on international negotiation, diplomacy, post-conflict development, reconciliation, and human rights."
How To Choose the Best Conflict Resolution Master's Degree Program
"When assessing which conflict resolution degree program might be best for them, prospective students should not only try to align the program鈥檚 focus area with their career goals, but also look for programs that offer practical experience in addition to theory.
In conflict resolution, theory is very important, but there really is no substitute for direct, hands-on, practice. Additionally, students should ask themselves some key questions when trying to find the right program for them. The first question should be 'What level of conflict does the program focus on (e.g., interpersonal, community, organizational, international)?'
Additionally , students should know what, if any, are the underlying values of the program. For example, some degree programs may have a religious focus, or other programs may focus on social justice. These underlying values can help students determine which program of study may be the best for them.
Students should prioritize programs that provide opportunities for real practice and are taught by professors with practical experience.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, students should prioritize programs that provide opportunities for real practice and are taught by professors with practical experience. I would strongly recommend that any prospective student of a conflict resolution program, look into the backgrounds of the faculty to ensure that those providing instruction have not only theoretical understanding, but lived experience doing the work."
Common Misconceptions About Conflict Resolution and Mediation
"One common misconception about conflict resolution work that I often encounter is that people think my job is to fix people鈥檚 issues for them. In reality, this is not what mediators do. Rather, mediators provide a space and a process for people to engage constructively about their own challenges and find their own solutions. It is a practice of humility and trust rather than control.
The other misconception I often see is that people believe that conflict resolution is about making everyone 'get along.' There is this idea that mediation has to involve forgiveness or lead to some 'kumbaya' moment. The reality is that conflict resolution is actually about leaning into very difficult circumstances and dynamics. Sometimes, these processes can lead to a transformation of relationships, but very often they are more about building a possibility for understanding when there has been deep resentment, anger, and disappointment.
So, facilitators of conflict resolution are really not in the business of making everyone 'get along.' Instead, they are there to provide a container of safety where very difficult conversations can be explored constructively."
EXPERT TIP
"My advice to anyone interested in supporting their own development and understanding of conflict resolution is please do it! The world needs people like you. I believe that conflict is inevitable, a natural result of human interaction, but it's also an opportunity to explore something that needs to be understood or addressed. People often lack the skills to engage constructively but by building the competence to support positive solutions, you are helping to create a better world for all of us!"
FAQs About an Online Conflict Resolution Master's Degree
What Is a Conflict Resolution Degree?
People with specialized training in conflict resolution help mediate and ease communication between disputing parties. Graduates of online conflict resolution degree programs are well suited for a variety of professional roles. Depending on their education level and work experience, they may provide counseling, lead anger management and communications classes, or help people develop child custody plans or settle property disputes. Students in this field study communication techniques, legal statutes, psychology, sociology, and leadership principles.
A master鈥檚 degree in conflict resolution provides students with the skills to forge relationships between individuals, communities, organizations, and nations, with an eye toward improving communications and reducing conflict. Students who obtain a graduate degree in conflict resolution may go on to pursue careers as mediators, human resources directors, counselors, consultants, and more.
Master鈥檚 degrees in conflict resolution typically take about two years to complete. Applicants should have obtained a bachelor鈥檚 degree prior to applying. In some cases, schools may require that applicants complete entrance exams at the graduate level, like the GRE.
Can You Get a Conflict Resolution Degree Online?
Yes, it鈥檚 possible to obtain a graduate degree in conflict resolution online. Online degrees provide freedom and flexibility for graduate students, allowing them to complete degrees while also balancing other work and family responsibilities. Many online degree programs are reputable and well-regarded by employers; however, students should be sure to look for programs that are accredited and have a good track record of student success.
What Courses Do You Take in an Online Conflict Resolution Master鈥檚 Program?
Online degrees in conflict resolution provide students with the skills they need to effectively manage conflicts and negotiate solutions. From interpersonal conflicts to community-wide conflicts, the study of conflict resolution helps students learn how to mediate between different groups.
Courses in conflict management draw from fields including psychology, sociology, history, and law. Check out some of the most common core classes for conflict management students at the graduate level:
- Foundations of Conflict Analysis: In this course, students learn how to interpret and analyze conflicts in different settings. They investigate not only how conflicts arise but also how their own values and beliefs shape their interpretations of and responses to conflict. Developing self-awareness can help students better understand and navigate conflicts in a variety of contexts.
- Introduction to Negotiation: Negotiation is one of the fundamental skills taught in a conflict resolution graduate degree program. Whether negotiating between individuals, organizations, or even whole countries, students need strong communication and negotiation skills in order to succeed. Introduction to Negotiation is a foundational course that allows students to learn more about theoretical and practical approaches to conflict resolution.
- Interpersonal Communication: Interpersonal communication is one of the most important concepts in conflict resolution. By studying communication styles and techniques, students can better understand where communication breaks down and how conflict develops, as well as how to potentially improve communication and resolve conflicts. Classes in interpersonal communication inform students about how social and cultural elements can impact communication styles.
- Mediation: Classes on mediation teach students hands-on skills and practical approaches to mediating conflict. Students practice mediating between individuals in a diverse array of circumstances while also examining their own communication skills and biases. Types of mediation covered may include divorce and family mediation and court-mandated mediation.
- International Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding: While some conflict resolution courses focus on interpersonal conflict between individuals, this class focuses on conflict at the international level, with an emphasis on peacebuilding. Students learn how international conflicts arise as well as what cultural, political, and religious factors may affect conflicts. They also learn strategies for mediating conflicts between nations and fostering strong international diplomatic relations.
What Jobs Can You Get With a Master's in Conflict Resolution?
There are a wide variety of career paths available to students with a graduate degree in conflict resolution. Graduates may choose to focus on interpersonal conflict between individuals, conflict at a community-wide level, or even conflict at a national level.
Some common occupations include human resources managers, counselors, mediators, arbitrators, and more. See below for more details, including salary information and job growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
- Mediator: specialize in resolving conflicts between disputing parties. Often, mediators help individuals resolve conflicts before they escalate to a legal setting. Mediators may work for private companies or for state or government agencies.
- Human Resources Manager: are in charge of mediating conflicts between employees and employers. They may also be in charge of other tasks related to the organization, such as onboarding, managing pay and benefits, resolving disputes between coworkers, and more. Many human resources managers have a master鈥檚 degree, which can make them more competitive on the job market.
- Lawyer: For students with a degree in conflict resolution, pursuing a law career is one way to put their skills to use. While some conflicts can be resolved outside of the courtroom by mediators or arbitrators, other conflicts can only be resolved by lawyers in court. Students interested in becoming lawyers typically also need a specialized law degree. may work for businesses, individuals, or government agencies.
- Political Scientist: If you鈥檙e pursuing a degree in conflict resolution and interested in negotiating conflicts at the international level, then a career as a could be a good fit. Political scientists study political systems, both within individual nations as well as on a global scale. They may advise political campaigns, government agencies, or businesses on how to behave.
- School and Career Counselor: work in school settings to ensure that students have the support they need to succeed. Some of the tasks school counselors might be responsible for include mediating conflicts between students, assisting students with their educational plans, and helping students to prepare for college and careers. School counselors may be employed by public or private schools.
- Judge: have the final say when it comes to resolving conflicts and disputes that must be settled in court. In order to become a judge, students must also obtain a law degree and have work experience as lawyers. Judges are employed by local, state, or federal governments to oversee the legal process.
Is a Master's in Conflict Resolution Worth It?
Whether or not a master鈥檚 in conflict resolution is worth it depends on your career goals, education background, budget, and more. In many cases, a graduate degree in conflict resolution can help students to pursue careers as mediators, negotiators, counselors, and more. However, a master鈥檚 degree isn鈥檛 always necessary to pursue employment in these fields. Students with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a related area may want to focus on gaining practical experience through employment rather than earning another degree.
Potential Benefits
- High potential salaries: Many careers related to conflict resolution come with higher-than-average salaries. For example, HR managers, lawyers, and political scientists all earn more than six figures.
- Important, challenging work: For students looking for meaningful and challenging work, a career in conflict resolution could be the perfect fit. This type of work involves tackling new problems each day and coming up with real solutions to resolve conflict and promote peace.
- Widely applicable skills: Some students pursuing a graduate degree in conflict resolution may have a specific career path in mind, but this degree is useful for a wide variety of careers as well as personal and professional situations. Skills like communication, analysis, and negotiation can make students valuable members of a team no matter what career they choose to pursue.
Potential Drawbacks
- Expense: Graduate degrees can be expensive without financial aid. Some students may be able to qualify for scholarships, but in a lot of cases, it may take some time to pay off the student debt that accumulates during the course of your studies.
- Limited networking: Online degrees may limit opportunities to practice real-world skills. Conflict resolution is a discipline that is 鈥� to some extent 鈥� dependent on in-person communication. While an online degree in conflict resolution can still provide a lot of value, it may be more difficult for students to practice in-person strategies for resolving conflicts.
- High-stakes and high-stress: Depending on the particular type of conflict resolution you choose to pursue, it can be a high-stakes and high-stress endeavor. Students who want a more relaxed work experience may want to consider other career options.
An online master鈥檚 degree in conflict resolution can be a great fit for students looking to pursue careers as arbitrators, mediators, or negotiators, to name a few opportunities in the field. The skills learned while studying conflict resolution are also broadly applicable to a variety of other areas, and earning a degree can help students communicate and manage conflicts more effectively in general.
While a master鈥檚 degree in conflict resolution isn鈥檛 always strictly necessary in order to explore related careers, it can be a great way to gain additional knowledge and experience and make your resume stand out.
If you are curious to explore similar online graduate degrees, check out our list of the best online master's in counseling degrees.
What Professional Organizations Should Conflict Resolution Students Join?
There are a variety of professional organizations and groups that conflict resolution students might consider joining in order to further their career:
- : An association dedicated to enhancing understanding of conflict resolution.
- : This nonprofit offers trainings on the best restorative justice practices and theories for those interested in local grassroots peacebuilding.
- : This organization provides resources for individuals to learn more about resolving conflicts as well as free online resources and an online certificate course.
- : If you are interested in gaining the necessary skills to prevent, resolve, and negotiate conflicts, this organization can help.
- : The Center for Nonviolent Communication is a nonprofit dedicated to helping people resolve conflicts peacefully in a wide range of settings.
- : This nonprofit association aims to help individuals resolve conflicts through alternative means rather than the court system.