Master of Dispute Resolution / Master of Public Policy

MDR/MPP

The Master of Dispute Resolution and Master of Public Policy (MDR/MPP) degree program is a joint program between the School of Public Policy and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution of the Caruso School of Law.

The joint MDR/MPP degree program requires a total of 58 credit units: 20 units in dispute resolution courses and 38 credits in public policy. Normally, completing a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) separately would require 32 and 58 credit units, respectively, or a total of 90 credit units. With careful planning, it is envisioned that MPP students could complete their MDR requirements in summer sessions and/or the winter intensive terms falling before, within, or after the two-year MPP program.

Applicants to the joint program must apply and be granted admission to both the School of Public Policy and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. The admission requirements for potential joint MDR/MPP students are identical to the admission requirements for the MDR and MPP degree programs if pursued separately.

With the concurrent approval of the deans of the Caruso School of Law and the School of Public Policy, the joint MDR/MPP degree may be pursued by a School of Public Policy student with advanced standing. Again, admission to the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution would have to be separately granted. In addition, with the concurrent approval of the deans of the Caruso School of Law and the School of Public Policy, the joint MDR/MPP degree also may be pursued by a Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution student with advanced standing. Again, admission to the School of Public Policy would have to be separately granted.

Required Courses

Required Courses - 18 units (16 units required for law students)

One Arbitration Course:
- Arbitration Law+, Arbitration Practice and Advocacy or International Commercial Arbitration
Communication and Conflict
Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution
Introduction to U.S. Law (for non-lawyers and non-law students)
Mediation Clinic or Special Education Clinic
Mediation Theory and Practice
Negotiation Theory and Practice
Psychology of Conflict

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

Elective Courses

Elective Courses - 4 units required (2 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 **
International Commercial Arbitration Procedure and Practice +
International Commercial Arbitration Theory and Doctrine +
International Commercial Dispute Resolution
International Investment Disputes
International Litigation *
Interviewing Counseling and Planning
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)

+ 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 or law school graduates.
** This course is only available to current JD students.

Externships

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

Students are required to complete either 6 units of Thesis or Externship.

Please note that law students or lawyers pursuing the MDR are not required to take Intro to U.S. Law, therefore, an additional 2 units of elective coursework will be necessary to fulfill the 32 units for the degree.

Specialization

Master of Public Policy Specialization

Learn more about the Master of Public Policy Specialization.