Master of Dispute Resolution

What is this course about?

CSU's Master of Dispute Resolution provides students with an understanding of the causes of conflict and the various methods of dispute prevention and resolution. Students learn the principles and skills of mediation and conflict management and how to apply these skills in various situations.

Why study this degree?

Conflict and dispute resolution skills are now recognised as essential for relationships to function on community, national and international levels. Professionals involved in areas such as law, social work and support agencies within government, business and the not-for-profit sector require a knowledge and understanding of conflict and the process of dispute resolution.

More reasons to study this degree

Find out where this course can take you

Course structure

Students undertaking the Master of Dispute Resolution undertake 12 subjects, eight core subjects and a further four subjects chosen from specialised areas such as:

• Corporate Governance
• Family Dispute Resolution
• Human Services
• Industrial Relations
• Justice Studies
• Juvenile Justice
• Law
• Leisure and Health Management
• Pastoral Counseling
• Policing
• Law Enforcement and Intelligence
• Public Sector / Public Policy
• Research in Dispute Resolution
• Social Work

On completion of four core subjects, students can graduate with the Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, or after successfully completing eight subjects, graduate with the Graduate Diploma of Dispute Resolution. 

More information about the course structure

Why study this degree?

Flexible offering

As with all our courses, the Master of Dispute Resolution, Graduate Diploma of Dispute Resolution and Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution are designed and delivered with study flexibility in mind. You can choose between full-time and part-time study options to fit in with work and lifestyle commitments. You could choose to study just one subject in an academic session or, with approval, fast-track degree completion by undertaking four subjects per session.

This course is offered across a three-session academic year, with sessions commencing in February, July and November each year.

Professional recognition

LEADR, a recognised mediator accreditation body, regards CSU's Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution as a qualification with the necessary educational requirements for graduates to apply to be accredited by LEADR to the national standard.

Career opportunities

Career opportunities include arbitrator, manager, negotiator and dispute mediator professional to support a range of discipline areas including law, business, politics, international trade, industrial relations and HR, health and education. Roles are located in government, not for profit and industry settings with opportunities to establish consultancy practices.

Credit / pathways

Master of Dispute Resolution

Credit will be granted for all subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution and the Graduate Diploma of Dispute Resolution. Up to two subjects (16 points) may be granted as credit on the basis of subjects undertaken at another institution, provided the study is in a related area and of equivalent standard to 400 or 500 level subjects offered by CSU.

Graduate Diploma of Dispute Resolution

Credit will be given for all subjects completed in the Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution.

Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution

No special arrangements apply.

Candidates may receive transfer credit for up to 50% of the course for prior study if they can demonstrate that such study was completed at a recognised higher education institution within the last 10 years, at the postgraduate level. To apply for credit, candidates are required to submit with their application for admission a certified transcript of results and subject outline / curriculum of those subjects.

Further information in regard to credit can be found here.

Admission requirements

Master of Dispute Resolution

Applicants must have completed the Graduate Diploma of Dispute Resolution or equivalent studies.

Graduate Diploma of Dispute Resolution

Applicants must have completed the Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution or equivalent studies.

Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution

Applicants are required to have an undergraduate degree from a recognised Australian tertiary institution or a qualification deemed to be equivalent. Applicants with other academic and / or professional qualifications and/or work experience acceptable to the University will be considered.

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.

English language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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