S-CARs MS Distance Learning Program:
S-CAR’s involvement in distance learning will rise to a new level this January with the launch of a stand-alone distance MS program in Conflict Analysis and Resolution.
S-CAR’s involvement with distance learning began when the Graduate Certificate Program launched courses that used a hybrid of face-to-face and distance platforms for student engagement. Soon after, more innovative hybrid elective offerings were added.
In the fall of 2011, with support from the Provost's office for course development, the first fully online course was offered, CONF 501, our Master’s level introductory course. To facilitate degree completion, we developed the capstone and integration option courses in a distance format. Building on our successes, S-CAR faculty voted in May 2013 to pilot the MS program in a distance format. This new program will allow students to meet the same degree requirements as our traditional face-to-face program and require a 6-credit residency. The rest of the degree requirements can be completed remotely. With a reduced tuition rate of $750 per credit for out-of-state students, we hope to reach potential students unable to participate in the face-to-face program.
The S-CAR faculty development team led by Dr. Karina Korostelina has been working hard all year to prepare pedagogically sound, innovative courses and has been piloting 3 to 4 courses per semester. Along with MS Program Director Dr. Daniel Rothbart, the team has designed a series of core courses and exciting new electives, including CONF 695’s on Micro Theories of Conflict, Conflict and Ethics, and Addressing Intractable Conflicts. Instructional designer Susan Campbell has provided invaluable support for this process.
S-CAR has also been developing increasingly popular distance undergraduate courses. S-CAR PhD alumna Saira Yamin and Assistant Director of Undergrad Student Services, Jane Walker, developed CONF 340: Global Conflict Analysis and Resolution, which is particularly successful in a distance format and is now offered every semester. The Undergraduate Program is currently determining the feasibility of a two year-degree completion distance undergraduate program for students who hold anAssociate degree or the equivalent. Developing distance learning programs expands our potential totap the expertise of the many talented and accomplished alumni we have around the world. As members of our community practice and teach in so many places around the globe, the technology of distance education will allow them to bring their expertise to students they otherwise could not reach.
Developing this cohort of “Global Online Faculty” will further highlight the many achievements of our alumni community. The S-CAR MS program joins a growing slate of distance programs that are part of “Mason Online,” including programs in seven of the Universities colleges and schools. Mason Online will allow for joint marketing and student recruitment and support efforts with other partners around the university. Director of Graduate Student Services, Erin Ogilvie- Hudson, who has been successfully leading our students in Malta through their academic programs, will also work with distance students to ensure they have as good an experience in the program as our face-to-face students. All of the distance courses will be evaluated like our face-to-face courses and will be part of our periodic program reviews. This development is just the most recent in a long series of experiments in how we teach and learn at S-CAR. Experiential learning activities, courses that include trips to conflict zones, and compressed class schedules are recent additions to S-CAR’s class schedule.
These initiatives have provided students with more flexibility in how they complete our programs
and more opportunities for field work to see conflict resolution in action. If you know of students for whom the new distance MS would be a good fit, please direct them to http://scar.gmu.edu/gradadmissions for more information.