Abdul is a recent graduate of the Master’s program in Communication with the Graduate Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution.

Why did you decide to take the Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution?

This program is related to multidisciplinary fields containing the practical and theoretical foundations of mediation involving research, education, and skills that based on training. This program helped us to analyze the roots of conflicts and to understand how to prevent future conflict from arising.

What did you do for your internship experience in the certificate? What was this experience like for you?

I participated in the Civil and Family Mediation Training. The internship was based on an in-depth understanding of the communication foundation underlying the processes of mediation and negotiation in conflict situations. During the training and the mediation sessions, a variety of topics were covered, which included negotiation theory, the causes and dynamic of conflict, interests versus positions, mediation strategies, and others. The simulations developed the mediation skills through role-plays, interactive exercises and evaluations of my skills from coaches within a variety of types of civil mediation.

 How do you plan to use what you have learned in the certificate program in the future?

I am planning to use what I have learned in the court system and in schools as a trainer. Also, I am thinking about working in a community center as a mediator.

What would you say to someone who is considering taking the Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution?

I strongly recommend taking the Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution. You will learn many skills through this program, such as cooperative tactics to responding to conflict, effective intervention as a neutral third party in a conflict, and establishing a safe environment for dialogue.