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Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

Master of Dispute Resolution (M.D.R.)

The Master's Degree in Dispute Resolution is a 32-unit program offered to those who possess a bachelor's degree. It consists of the following requirements:

Required Courses - 16 units (14 units required for law students)

  • One Arbitration Course:
    • Arbitration Law *, Arbitration Practice and Advocacy, International Commercial Arbitration Practice and Procedure, International Commercial Arbitration Theory and Doctrine or Arbitration Law in the Securities Industry**
  • Communication and Conflict
  • Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution
  • Introduction to U.S. Law (for non-lawyers and non-law students)
  • Mediation Clinic or Investor Advocacy Clinic**
  • Mediation Theory and Practice
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Psychology of Conflict

Elective Courses - 12 units required (10 units required if Thesis option is chosen)

  • Advanced Mediation Seminar
  • Advanced Trial Practice *
  • Appellate Advocacy *
  • Arbitration Law * +
  • Arbitration Law in the Securities Industry ** +
  • Arbitration Practice and Advocacy +
  • Current Issues in International Dispute Resolution: London/Geneva
  • Current Issues in International Dispute Resolution: Hong Kong/Beijing
  • Dispute Resolution in Education
  • Dispute Resolution and Religion
  • Dispute Resolution Law Journal (up to 4 units)
  • Divorce and Family Mediation
  • Environmental and Public Policy Dispute Resolution
  • Faith-Based Diplomacy and International Peacemaking
  • Honors Appellate Advocacy Clinic **
  • Honors Negotiation Advocacy **
  • Honors Mediation Advocacy **
  • Honors Trial Practice **
  • Interviewing Counseling and Planning
  • International Commercial Arbitration Practice and Procedure +
  • International Commercial Arbitration Theory and Doctrine +
  • International Commercial Dispute Resolution
  • International Investment Disputes
  • International Litigation *
  • Investor Advocacy Clinic **
  • Lawyering Process *
  • Moot Court- International **
  • Moot Court- Interschool Competition **
  • Restorative Justice
  • Selected Issues in Dispute Resolution:
    • Apology, Forgiveness and Reconciliation
    • Dispute Resolution Systems Design
    • Dispute Resolution and Technology
    • Employment Disputes
    • Entertainment Industry Disputes
    • Ethical Practices in Dispute Resolution
    • Healthcare Dispute Resolution
    • Intellectual Property
    • Labor Disputes
    • Managing Litigation and Conflict for Corporations and Organizations
    • Mass Torts
    • Ombuds
  • Special Education Advocacy Clinic **
  • Trial Practice *
  • Trial Preparation and Settlement *
  • Trial Practice Competition **
  • or a Substantive Law Class with Institute Approval (non-law students only)

Externships (4 units required) or Thesis/Project (6 units required)


 

+If this course was not taken to fulfill the arbitration requirement, it can be taken as an elective.

*This course is only available to law students, law school graduates or LL.M. candidates.

** This course is only available to current JD students.