Conflict Resolution Major - Bachelor of Arts

Study conflict resolution and learn to identify causes of conflict, and develop practical negotiation, mediation and facilitation skills.

Conflict resolution is an essential skill for many fields. Wherever there are people, companies or states, there are differences. Conflict resolution explores how to overcome these differences and reach a peaceful settlement at an interpersonal, community, organisational and international level.

You learn through case studies, role play scenarios and visits from guest speakers who share their views on current issues and approaches. Our passionate lecturers draw from international experiences and include best practice models.


This is part of the Bachelor of Arts.

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Papers cover multidisciplinary perspectives on conflict resolution and a wide range of examples including the Treaty of Waitangi. This major draws on the disciplines of psychology, political studies and sociology.

You identify causes of conflict (systemic, structural, inter-personal), explore different approaches to conflict resolution, develop a basic understanding of human rights, and gain practical skills of conflict negotiation, mediation and facilitation.

Core papers

All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete core papers. In this major, you study:

COMM510 Undergraduate Writing for Academic Purposes or COMM570 Academic Communication
CLSY504 Knowledge and Inquiry
CLSY500 Culture and Society
COMM604 Communicating

Conflict Resolution papers

Papers you could take over your three years of study include:

PSYC580 Introduction to Psychology A
SOSC582 Social Thinking
SOSC583 Social Institutions
PHIL680 Ethics and Society
CONF681 Conflict Resolution and Human Rights
HIST690 Te Tiriti O Waitangi: The Treaty of Waitangi
CONF680 Principles of Conflict Resolution
POLS681 War and Peace
SOSC780 Multicultural Communities
CRIM782 Understanding Restorative Justice
POLS781 International Relations
CONF780 Negotiation and Mediation

Workplace experience

Workplace experience (Work Integrated Learning) is the final part of your degree and takes a full semester. This is a supervised work placement related to your major(s), for an organisation of your choice.

Recent placements included:

  • Auckland Council
  • Aotearoa NZ Peace and Conflict Studies Centre Trust
  • Community Organisations
  • Human Rights Foundation
  • Family Focus Rotorua
  • National Foundation for the Deaf
  • Paul Diver Associates
  • Safer Aotearoa Family Violence Prevention Network
  • The Fono
  • The Peace Foundation
  • Child, Youth and Family
  • Global Peace and Justice
  • International peace, justice organisations and bodies dedicated to conflict resolution
  • Lobby groups
  • Local councils
  • Ministry of Social Development
  • New Zealand Peace Foundation
  • New Zealand Police
  • Peace Movement Aotearoa
  • Political parties
  • Unions

Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.

Conflict Resolution Careers

Key features
  • A unique, integrated approach to solving conflict
  • Wide-ranging conflict resolution skills, including negotiation, mediation and facilitation
  • Workplace experience in your final semester
See yourself as
  • A mediator and negotiator
  • A problem-solver
  • A communicator
  • Empathetic and calm
  • A team player

The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

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