Conflict is part of everyday life, and knowing how to address it effectively is a valuable skill in any career. This program will equip you with a legal foundation and critical thinking skills to manage disputes in various settings.
You’ll learn the root cause of conflict and apply legal reasoning, mediation and negotiation techniques to help others reach resolutions. You’ll also explore how legal systems intersect with real-world challenges and the dynamics of conflict in workplaces, communities and families.
Courses cover topics relevant to human resources and criminal law, as well as family and divorce mediation. This emphasis gives you tools to resolve disputes while preserving relationships, preparing you to be an asset in any field where collaboration and communication matter.
The knowledge and skills you’ll develop
In this emphasis area, you’ll learn to:
- Analyze legal frameworks affecting conflict resolution, including contract and tort law.
- Communicate effectively across cultures and backgrounds.
- Facilitate mediation and negotiation sessions that lead to practical outcomes.
- Identify the core issues behind conflict and determine the most appropriate resolution method.
- Manage disputes in commercial, community, workplace and family contexts.
- Navigate ethical responsibilities as a conflict resolution professional.
- Use dispute resolution such as arbitration, facilitation and collaborative law.
What is a degree emphasis? Is it the same as a concentration?
While an emphasis and concentration are similar, there are key differences:
- A concentration is a formalized selection of courses within a major requiring a minimum of 15 credit hours; at least nine must be upper division. The concentration appears on your ASU diploma and transcripts.
- An emphasis is a selected topic area defined within the major that’s typically 9–12 credit hours and doesn’t need to be officially declared.
Arizona State University’s online Master of Legal Studies with a conflict resolution emphasis from Arizona State University gives you the tools to manage and resolve disputes across professional settings. You’ll learn practical mediation and negotiation strategies, grounded in legal principles, to help navigate conflict confidently and efficiently.
Like all of ASU’s emphasis areas for the Master of Legal Studies program, the conflict resolution emphasis builds on a shared base of introductory courses with relevant electives. You can expect to build competencies in areas such as arbitration and dispute resolution. Featured courses include:
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law faculty has more than 300 combined years of experience. Hailing from across the country, they’re nationally recognized for their wealth of knowledge. Our world-class faculty provides comprehensive legal education in popular focus areas and addresses legal challenges on a global scale.
The Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at ASU is one of the top schools in the nation, providing personalized and practical legal education. Offering more than 250 unique courses, students can tailor their educational experiences to meet their unique interests. Our bar passage achievements and peer-reviewed U.S. News & World Report rankings highlight our dedication to preparing students for success.
in Arizona for bar passage
specialty law programs ranked amongst the top 35 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report
best public law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report
best law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report
Applicants to the Master of Legal Studies program must fulfill the requirements of the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.
U.S.-educated applicants can apply through our FastApp process, which streamlines the application process and may allow for an offer of conditional admission to the Master of Legal Studies program while the applicant continues to submit any additional requested documentation. Find more information about the FastApp process here.
Possible outcomes from FastApp submission may include:
- Conditional admission.
- A request for supplementary documents.
- A request to complete the full Master of Legal Studies application with accompanying documents.
- Denial
For the FastApp application to be considered complete, it must include:
- The complete Master of Legal Studies FastApp application form and the following uploaded documents:
- An unofficial transcript from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended.
- Resume that does not exceed three typed pages.
If a decision cannot be made from a FastApp, our admissions team may request additional information from an applicant, including any or all of the following:
- Writing sample.
- Explanations to affirmative answers to any conduct questions.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Transcripts from all institutions attended, including the transcript showing a bachelor's degree was conferred.
A minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of an applicant’s bachelor's program is preferred. Prospective students may earn admission with a cumulative GPA below 3.00 if the other assets included in the application package are strong, such as but not limited to:
- A personal statement that addresses a low GPA or inconsistent academic performance.
- Improved academic performance in subsequent degrees.
- Significant work history since completing a bachelor’s degree.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application.
- Official* transcripts.
- CV or resume.
*Transcripts can be unofficial through the FastApp process. Official transcripts reflecting degree conferral(s) will be required if an applicant is admitted.
If English is not your native language, and you have not completed a bachelor’s degree or higher at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, you must provide evidence of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”
Please note your diploma will state the degree you earn: Master of Legal Studies. Your emphasis in conflict resolution will not appear on your diploma or transcripts.