Straus Institute Master of Dispute Resolution Brochure

MASTER OF

Dispute Resolution

Become an Expert in Conflict Resolution with a Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR) Degree

MASTER OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION With over 95 percent of court-filed cases being handled with dispute resolution processes and 30 percent of a typical manager’s time spent dealing with conflict, dispute resolution has become one of the most marketable skills in today’s business environment. The Pepperdine School of Law MDR program prepares professionals in all industries to address conflicts before they become lawsuits. Graduates are prepared to lead their organizations through difficult moments while strengthening relationships, partnerships, and alliances.

STUDY AT THE #1 RANKED STRAUS INSTITUTE

EXPERIENCE FLEXIBLE CLASS SCHEDULING

LEARN FROM WORLDRENOWNED FACULTY

Pepperdine’s world-renowned Straus Institute is regularly ranked number one by U.S. News & World Report and has built a dispute resolution program recognized for excellence throughout the world. The Master of Dispute Resolution is a 32-unit program designed for mid-career and executive level professionals seeking to grow their careers and become an expert in conflict resolution. Students can earn a MDR as a stand-alone degree or as part of a joint-degree program with a JD, MBA, or master of public policy.

The program is designed to provide a flexible course load for mid-career professionals with options including evening classes and weekend intensives, or part-time to full-time enrollment.

Students are also able to take additional courses at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy or the Graziadio School of Business and Management, earning a joint degree and customizing their MDR to better suit their professional goals.

Faculty at the Straus Institute include scholars who have impacted society on a global, national, and local level, from training judges in Rwanda to police officers at the Los Angeles Police Department. They devote themselves as mentors to ensure students get the most out of their classes, tailoring simulations to meet the needs of professionals in regards to their area of expertise. Alumni of the program engage with current students by participating in and hosting conferences, and offering invaluable advice and mentorship.

THINK BEYOND A TRADITIONAL BUSINESS DEGREE

GAIN REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE

MULTIPLE CAMPUS LOCATIONS

Students earning an MDR engage in simulated negotiations and mediations, discussions and lectures, and worldrenowned conferences, and gain practical experience through mediation clinics and externships. The Straus Institute is also home to the largest collection of conflict management materials in the American Arbitration Association Library, providing students with an unmatched number of research materials. Students develop their identity as a mediator and negotiator and graduate ready to put their skills into practice.

Classes are offered at both Pepperdine’s Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean and at the commuter-convenient West Los Angeles Graduate Campus.

The study of conflict is applicable in a wide range of industries as business professionals recognize the need for conflict-resolution skill sets in an increasingly diverse technological and global business environment.

Graduates have successfully applied their MDRs to career areas including human resources, business management, law enforcement, counseling, education, public policy, change management, compliance, and more.

REQUIRED COURSES - 10 UNITS • Approved Arbitration Course

law.pepperdine.edu/straus-mdr

• Cross-Cultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution • Introduction to US Law • Mediation Theory and Practice • Negotiation Theory and Practice • Psychology of Conflict Communication

18 UNITS OF ELECTIVE CREDIT Over 30 elective course choices are available.

4 UNITS OF EXTERNSHIP Students gain real-world experience through required externships.

APPLY NOW Applications are accepted on a rolling-admissions basis for classes starting in August, January, and May.

310.506.4655 mdr@pepperdine.edu law.pepperdine.edu/straus-mdr

LS1703021

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Pepperdine University School of Law 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu, CA 90263