Is a Master’s in Dispute Resolution Worth It? Career Paths, Skills, and Programs​

Anyone interested in a legal career outside the mainstream of litigation should consider a degree in dispute resolution. Dispute resolution, sometimes referred to as conflict management or negotiation, is helpful in a range of professions beyond the courthouse and boardroom. Those who might benefit from a Master’s in Dispute Resolution include:

Anyone whose position requires them to coordinate or resolve matters between two opposing sides can benefit from an advanced degree in dispute resolution.

A master’s degree in dispute resolution is a graduate-level degree providing specialized training in resolving conflicts, disputes, and contract breaches without resorting to traditional litigation. The degree builds on basic legal and practical mediation and negotiating skills.

Candidates learn the dynamics of conflict and resolution, negotiation strategies, conflict analysis, and other concepts in understanding how to recognize conflict and defuse situations. After completing the degree, students will be better positioned to compete in a competitive niche field.

A master’s degree in dispute resolution can be completed in one to two years, depending on how the student takes the course and whether they continue working during their studies. Someone working full-time may not be able to complete a graduate degree within 12 months. However, most schools now offer online, hybrid, and in-person courses to accommodate working professionals.

An in-person full-time master’s degree could be completed in as little as one year; a part-time online course might take up to three years. Online asynchronous classes allow students to attend class on their own time and still work or take care of family responsibilities.

Mediation and arbitration skills are taught by other mediators and community services who need people with basic negotiating skills. Master’s programs give students additional training in the causes of conflict and tactics of negotiation.

Students may learn:

Students will develop their own strategies for identifying conflict and creating a sustainable resolution.

Mediation and arbitration have an advantage over traditional litigation, and that is the immediacy of use after completing the degree. Mediation can be used by anyone at any time, since the goal of mediation is to help both parties come to an amicable resolution. Once you have your degree in dispute resolution, you can assist in resolving issues in a range of industries, including:

These are just some of the many ways in which a degree in dispute resolution can be essential and help prevent issues from requiring expensive and lengthy litigation.

Like many emerging degrees, a Master’s in Dispute Resolution opens a range of career opportunities not immediately apparent. A Master’s in Dispute Resolution can be an adjunct to a law degree, but it can give you career options where a legal degree isn’t necessary.

According to Indeed, some areas looking for dispute resolution specialists include:

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for mediators and arbitrators is growing. The profession saw a 6% growth in 2024, greater than the national average for employment. Depending on your location and actual career choice, you can expect a median salary of about $64,030, although Indeed reports that negotiators in business settings may command higher salaries.

The BLS also notes that applicants in these careers need at least a bachelor’s degree, so having your master’s puts you ahead of most applicants in the field.

A Master’s in Dispute Resolution is not a legal degree. Like other graduate degrees, it can be completed in a year or two. It has a broader range of uses and applicability compared to a law degree (JD), which is primarily used for students who want to become attorneys, or a Master’s in Legal Studies, which has a tighter legal focus.

Dispute resolution is less legally focused than the other degrees. Although many practitioners are attorneys, anyone with an interest in the field of negotiation or conflict resolution can get this degree and practice in the field. A knowledge of law is useful but not necessary for an arbitrator or mediator.

Many law schools have dispute resolution or conflict management programs. Programs are available online, hybrid, and in-person, and through other colleges and universities. Some notable programs include:

Graduate degrees at top-tier law schools are expensive. Pepperdine’s online Master’s in Dispute Resolution will cost a student $2,570 per unit, or approximately $66,820 for the entire degree. The other universities have similar costs per unit and per degree.

Financial aid is available at all universities. Students should consider carefully before applying for federal financial aid and discuss options with a financial planner before completing a FAFSA application.

Other options include scholarships offered through the university itself and through state and local agencies. If you’re already working, your employer may have a tuition reimbursement program. Check with your human resources office.

Other alternatives include taking the course over a longer period of time. Although some universities, such as Columbia, require students to complete their degree in a fixed time frame, others allow you to take as much time as necessary. If cost is an issue, you can take courses over a longer time that let you pay as you go. Contact the admissions offices and see if this is an option.

Mediation and alternative dispute resolution have become a new market for those interested in a legal-adjacent career. Courts, businesses, and legislators increasingly need individuals with training in recognizing and resolving conflicts in a range of areas.

Contact law schools and university admissions offices for more information on course requirements and offerings. Be sure to ask for information about financial aid and application deadlines before applying to schools.