Conflict Management Specialist Certificate

Description of Conflict Management Specialist Certificate Program

Description of Conflict Management Specialist Certificate (CMSC)
In July 2006 El Centro College's application for a Conflict Management Specialist Certificate (CMSC) was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. With DCCCD's North Lake College, El Centro was the first community college to have this undergraduate certificate in the state of Texas. The 27 semester hour certificate can be for academic credit or Continuing Education CEUs.

Students acquire an array of highly transferable skills in conflict management.  They will leave the program with a working knowledge vital to the resolution of disputes and conflicts through a variety of approaches such as mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and training.  This program will make available professionals with a knowledge set and skills crucial to businesses and groups trying to cope with social and organizational change and conflict. 

The certificate program began it in the fall semester, 2006. The timing was right because consumers of conflict management services such as mediation and workplace conflict resolution are more than ever attuned to the qualifications and credentials of those they employ or hire in a consultant capacity.

Options for Students
This program also provides options for students wanting to focus on particular aspects of conflict management such as domestic relations, the workplace, ethical issues, organizational and community issues, or more advanced understandings of mediation and negotiation.  One of the required courses in the program’s curriculum, Introduction to Mediation, fulfills the legislative requirements as specified in Senate Bill 1436 for mediation training in Texas.

Parallel Track Program: Academic/College Credit and Continuing Education
The Conflict Management Specialist Certificate (CMSC) program has two parallel tracks. Students may enroll for college/academic credit or for continuing education credit. However, they must decide on one or the other. Students may complete courses either at El Centro College or Northlake College, but must complete at least two courses at the institution granting the certificate.

Course Substitution Process
Some students have taken courses at El Centro College or Northlake College that are not designated with the DRCM prefix . Other students have taken courses at other institutions of higher education that might be equivalent to CMSC courses. If you are in either category, you will be required to complete course substitution paperwork to determine if those courses are indeed equivalent to our Conflict Management Specialist Certificate (CMSC) courses. Please see the explanation of the course substitution process.

Curriculum
Please see the Conflict Management Specialist Certificate (CMSC) program curriculum. It may help to clarify some of the above information.