Dispute Resolution graduates pursue 4 occupations, with top roles paying $128,500/yr or more. The career cards below break down wages, daily tasks, and 10-year job growth projections for each.
Dispute Resolution is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. The program is available at 41 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 652 students complete this program each year, most earning a master's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Colleges Offering
41
Graduates / Year
652
Avg Net Price / yr
$26,777
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 652 students who complete Dispute Resolution programs each year, the majority (65%) earn a master's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
26%65%
Master's65%
Post-Bacc Cert.26%
Post-Master's Cert.5%
What Can You Do With a Dispute Resolution Degree?
Dispute Resolution connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Law Teachers leads at $128,500/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Active ListeningSpeakingNegotiationCritical ThinkingReading Comprehension
Day-to-day responsibilities
Resolve disputes between workers and managers, negotiate collective bargaining agreements, or coordinate grievance procedures to handle employee complaints.
Negotiate collective bargaining agreements.
Investigate and evaluate union complaints or arguments to determine viability.
Propose resolutions for collective bargaining or other labor or contract negotiations.
Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.
Prepare written opinions or decisions regarding cases.
Apply relevant laws, regulations, policies, or precedents to reach conclusions.
Conduct hearings to obtain information or evidence relative to disposition of claims.
Top Colleges for Dispute Resolution
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Dispute Resolution students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Dispute Resolution graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Dispute Resolution is one of 39 specializations within Interdisciplinary Studies. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
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into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Dispute Resolution program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Dispute Resolution shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +5.7% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 15,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Declining roles in some areas1 related career show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.
Limited program availabilityOnly 41 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
What jobs can you get with a Dispute Resolution degree?
Dispute Resolution degree holders pursue careers including Law Teachers, which pays a median of $128,500/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Dispute Resolution program take?
While a bachelor's in this area takes four years, many Dispute Resolution students continue to a master's degree, adding one to two years. Some schools offer accelerated 5-year combined programs.
How many colleges offer Dispute Resolution?
41 colleges and universities in the United States offer Dispute Resolution programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
What is the difference between Dispute Resolution and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Dispute Resolution is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Dispute Resolution-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Dispute Resolution graduates?
Employers hiring Dispute Resolution graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Dispute Resolution graduates?
The job outlook for Dispute Resolution graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.0% job growth over the next 10 years. Business Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +5.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
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