Graduate academic advising is crucial to student engagement and success, and we are ready to provide you with the support and encouragement needed to ensure that you achieve your full potential.
We'll help you chart a degree plan, make sure you complete all degree requirements in a time frame that works for you, and help you explore opportunities for research, internships and real-world practice.
All MS students are assigned a faculty mentor, who provides academic guidance to each student, as well as an academic advisor, who provides administrative and program developmental support. You should meet with both your graduate academic advisor and assigned faculty mentor at least once a semester.
Meet Your Advising Team
Schedule an appointment, call or visit us at the Academic Advising Office:
Arlington Campus, Vernon Smith Hall
Room 5179
3434 N. Washington Blvd., 5th Floor
Arlington, VA 22201
Email or call 703-993-9716
MS Course Planning
The MS Program and MOL Program is divided into 3 sections; required courses, declared concentration and general electives. The MS curriculum is a total of 33 credit-hours, of which 15 are required core courses, 9 concentration, and 9 electives. No integration option is required. Students must declare their concentration by the start of the second semester of their program.
Concentrations offered include: Social Justice Advocacy and Activism, Dynamics of Violence, Inclusive Conflict Engagement, Conflict Sensitive Development and Resilience, and Media, Narrative and Public Discourse. Students will also be able to craft their own individualized concentration with the approval of the MS Program Director.
Gain Field Experience
- Study Abroad: Field experience courses focus on conflict resolution practice, reflection, and experiential learning. You'll have the opportunity to apply theories and concepts learned in the classroom while working in communities across the globe or close to home.
- Internships: You'll get tangible experience that helps prepare you for complex circumstances in the real world. You'll also have the opportunity to apply academic theories learned in the classroom to actual situations that arise in the work environment
- Independent Research: Conducting research will allow you to deepen your knowledge and develop expertise in a particular area and or region of focus. It will give you valuable field experience and in-depth knowledge on how to conduct rigorous academic research. You can opt to pursue independent study or a thesis.