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a grade of 70% or higher to pass the tabletop exercise. The tabletop exercise is a
graduation requirement. Students who score below 70% on this requirement must retake
the tabletop exercise. The tabletop exercise can be taken a maximum of three times.
Students who cannot pass it in three attempts will not graduate. Students must finish all
coursework and pass the tabletop examination within 5 years.
The tabletop exam is offered three times a year: in January, May and August/September.
Faculty members are assigned to review the answers. Students are assigned an
examination number. Thus, faculty members do not know whose answers they are
reviewing. In order to fail a question, two faculty reviewers must award a failing grade.
Graduation Requirements
In order to be eligible for conferral of degree, NSA students must have completed all
coursework and passed the tabletop examination. In addition, they must have at least a
3.0 GPA with no "incomplete" grades, and must be a "student in good standing" with no
disciplinary actions pending or disciplinary tasks to complete. NSA students may
participate in the June graduation ceremonies if they have completed all coursework and
taken their tabletop examination even if they have not yet received their grade for the
exam.
A
BOUT
O
UR
G
RADUATE
C
ERTIFICATE
P
ROGRAMS
The SHSS Graduate Certificate programs prepare students for the changing nature of
professions, businesses, and community services. They provide needed knowledge,
methods, and skills leading to career advancement and life enlightenment in the fields of
study. Graduate Certificate programs are beneficial for those who have already received a
graduate degree in their current area, but would like to specialize in the new area of
inquiry and practice. Graduate Certificate programs are also appropriate for those who
possess an undergraduate degree and are seeking to obtain the fundamentals in the
considered field of study. Many of the earned credits can also be counted toward a related
master's degree or doctoral degree program, if the student is interested in and accepted to
the program at a later time. Below is a description of the various SHSS Graduate
Certificate programs.
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Conflict Resolution Practice
The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Conflict Resolution Practice offers students the
fundamentals of applied conflict resolution and advanced training in the conflict resolution
“skill-set.” It is intended to meet the needs of those individuals who seek more expertise
in conflict resolution and are mainly interested in becoming practitioners in the field. It
may also be appropriate for professionals who have already earned a graduate degree in
their professional area, but who would benefit from academic study of applications of
conflict analysis and resolution in their current profession.
The Graduate Certificate consists of five courses (15 credits), which include conflict
resolution theory and practice skills. Students who decide to continue their studies in
conflict resolution may apply these credit hours toward the M.S. or the Ph.D. program in
Conflict Analysis and Resolution if accepted to the program.
