Conflict Management and Facilitation

Overview

The Conflict Management and Facilitation Certificate of Proficiency provides the opportunity for students to develop the understanding and skills that will transform their capacity to manage conflict in healthy and productive ways within their personal and professional relationships.

This certificate uniquely complements various career path choices, including political science, social sciences, education, business, health sciences, and more, to bolster resumes and help students acquire essential workplace skills to distinguish themselves as industry leaders in their respective fields. Utah State University is the only place in Utah with undergraduate certificates in conflict.

Students don’t need any previous background in conflict to participate in the program or be a communication studies major.

Career Application

Conflict management and facilitation skills are useful and in high demand for jobs in a wide range of careers. Employees in United States companies spend roughly 2.8 hours each week involved in interpersonal and group conflict. This amounts to approximately $359 billion in hours paid each year that are focused on conflict (CPP Inc., 2008, Pollack, 2021). 

Conflict in the workplace has grown prevalent for most workers, with 85 percent of workplace employees experiencing some kind of conflict (CCP Inc., 2008). Many people report that conflict makes them feel confused and anxious. It arises in many settings and can negatively impact relationships, businesses, organizations, communities, and countries.

The capacity to understand and manage conflict is a highly valued professional skill that can help foster healthy relationships and support a more peaceful and productive way of being.

Learning Objectives and Skills

• Increase awareness of conflict approaches and management styles.
• Cultivate the ability to recognize and analyze the consequences and outcomes of various conflict management styles.
• Develop knowledge and skills to manage conflict more effectively for self and in groups. Characterize the nature of conflict and its impact on interpersonal and workplace relationships, team/group dynamics, organizations, and the community. 
• Apply a wide range of theoretical concepts, techniques, processes, and methodologies in analyzing, managing, and resolving conflict. 
• Demonstrate the value of empathy, humanity, and diversity in building strong relationships and managing conflict. 
• Evaluate and integrate course concepts into various applicable career options.
• Identify and develop the skills needed to facilitate conflict conversations.
• Describe and discuss alternative approaches to dispute resolution.
• Practice principles of nonviolent communication.

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