Responding to a growing global need for professionals with conflict management experience, Trent University is launching a new professional postgraduate certificate in Conflict and Crisis Management in September 2024. 

The new certificate program is offered exclusively at Trent University’s growing Durham campus in the Greater Toronto Area and can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in as little as eight months. 

“Organizations need to be ready to tackle issues and conflicts effectively, and with compassion and consideration,” says Dr. Scott Henderson, dean and head of Trent University Durham GTA. “Students committed to learning how to manage crises and conflict will benefit from Trent Durham's strong focus on personalized instruction and interaction. With expertise drawn from an interdisciplinary mix of programming, the program will expose students to the best of what this campus has to offer.” 

Students enrolled in the program will learn how to identify problems, develop workable solutions, mediate conflict between individuals and groups, plan and implement risk management tools, and the fundamentals of crisis management principles.  

They will also learn about issues facing communities and engage in meaningful discussion and experiential opportunities to design and implement crisis and risk management strategies to solve real-world problems. 

In the program, students will learn from experts across various fields and disciplines including Policing & Community Well-Being (PLCW), Communications, and Business. Featured courses include Community Problem-Solving, Crisis Communication, Foundations of Leadership, and Social Determinants of Health. 

“The issues facing our communities are complex and challenging, which is why it's essential that our future leaders in all fields have a clear understanding of how to assess issues and respond to conflict in a way that moves initiatives forward and mitigates risk, so problems do not become unresolvable crises,” says Dr. Amy Spendik, PLCW program coordinator.  

Graduates of this program will be equipped for success in a range of careers that span areas of risk management, mediation and conflict resolution, policing, corrections, social services, and business leadership. The program will also enable current working professionals to take the next steps in their careers to management-level positions by preparing them with the skills required to address and resolve a variety of issues. 

Applications for fall 2024 are now open. Learn more about the postgraduate certificate in Conflict and Crisis Management at Trent University Durham GTA.