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Pepperdine | Caruso School of Law

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 56 credit units: 20 units in dispute resolution courses and 36 credits in public policy. Normally, completing a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) separately would require 26 and 48 credit units, respectively, or a total of 74 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. 

 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
  • Psychology of Conflict Communication
  • Mediation Theory and Practice
  • Negotiation Theory and Practice
  • Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution
  • Introduction to U.S. Law (for non-lawyers and non-law students)

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

 Elective Courses

Elective Courses - 8 units required 

  • ADR and Social Entrepreneurship
  • Advanced Decision-Making Under Conflict
  • Advanced Mediation Seminar
  • Advanced Trial Practice +
  • Apology, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation
  • Appellate Advocacy +
  • Arbitration Law * +
  • Arbitration Practice and Advocacy *
  • Current Issues in International Dispute Resolution: International Study Tour
  • Dispute Resolution in Education
  • Dispute Resolution and Religion
  • Dispute Resolution Externship
  • Dispute Resolution Law Journal (up to 4 units) (JD students only)
  • Divorce and Family Mediation
  • Employment Disputes
  • Entertainment Industry Disputes
  • Facilitating Dynamic Groups
  • Faith-Based Diplomacy and International Peacemaking
  • Honors Appellate Advocacy (JD students only)
  • Honors Negotiation Advocacy (JD students only)
  • Honors Mediation Advocacy (JD students only)
  • Honors Trial Practice (JD Students only)
  • International Commercial Arbitration Procedure and Practice *
  • International Commercial Arbitration Theory and Doctrine *
  • International Commercial Arbitration **
  • International Commercial Mediation Theory and Practice
  • International Investment Disputes
  • International Litigation +
  • Interviewing, Counseling, and Planning
  • Investor Advocacy Clinic (JD students only)
  • Lawyering Process +
  • Mediation Clinic
  • Mediating Complex Public Policy Disputes
  • Moot Court- International (JD students only)
  • Moot Court- Interschool Competition (JD students only)
  • Olympic and International Sports Dispute Resolution
  • Ombuds Theory and Practice
  • Online Dispute Resolution
  • Resolving Conflicts and System Design for Organizations and Corporations
  • Restorative Justice
  • Selected Issues in Dispute Resolution:
    • Healthcare Dispute Resolution
    • Intellectual Property
    • International Identity-Based Conflict and Dispute Resolution
    • Labor Disputes
    • Mediation Advocacy
    • Strategic Alliances
  • Special Education Advocacy Clinic +
  • Trial Practice +
  • Trial Preparation and Settlement +
    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 

Completion of an MPP Policy Internship. The required MPP internship can also count as an MDR externship. The MDR externship and MPP internship must be approved by each respective school. 

 Specialization

Master of Public Policy Specialization

Learn more about the Master of Public Policy Specialization. 

School of Public Policy at Pepperdine in Malibu, California

School of Public Policy at Pepperdine

At the School of Public Policy, graduate students prepare to affect change in the public and private sector through coursework built on time-tested concepts and values. Leadership skills are emphasized, as well as a broad understanding of the history and philosophy undergirding free institutions.

US News Best Grad Schools badge for Dispute Resolution

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

The internationally recognized Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution has led the nation in law-school-based conflict resolution and for over a decade, it has been ranked among the nation's best programs by U.S. News & World Report.

Joint Degree Admissions
Academic Catalog