Program descriptions
- Apparel & Textiles
- Conflict Resolution
- Consumer Quality Management
- Human Environmental Sciences
Apparel & Textiles
Conflict Resolution
Students who wish to complete the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management must meet admissions criteria for the Master of Science in Human Environmental Sciences degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA. If the prospective student does not have the 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 on the last 60 hours of course work, then the student must provide the GRE or MAT with an appropriate score. The Graduate Certificate may be completed on campus or via distance education.
Graduate Certificate Program Consumer Conflict Management, Negotiation, and Mediation
Workplace research indicates that managers and supervisors spend as much as forty percent of the workday resolving nonproductive conflict issues. Conflict that is poorly managed results in burdening costs for both the individual and the organization. Expanding worldwide development, the global economy, and population growth and associated social issues drive the intermingling of cultures and practices that increase the incidence of workplace conflict and destructive disagreement. Interest in and demand for conflict management has consequently risen.
The Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management, Negotiation, and Mediation provides students with the tools to manage, resolve, negotiate, and mediate conflict and to develop intrapersonal and interpersonal skills for living and earning. Conflict management training actively engages the student in self-exploration regarding issues of perception, bigotry, bias, values, beliefs, differences, and culture. The student will learn how to verbally and physically converse without allowing differences to interfere with collaboration. Business, government, and community agencies value these skills to increase productivity and to maximize a positive workplace climate. The ability to creatively manage conflict is a skill that most employers value.
The certificate requires the successful completion of 15 hours of course work, in addition to the hours required for the masters in the student’s discipline. All 15 hours may count toward the master’s degree. Students must apply and gain admission to the UA Graduate School (graduate.ua.edu). Students must adhere to all UA Graduate School admission policies and deadlines. See Section 4.3 (services.graduate.ua.edu/catalog/14200.html) of the UA Graduate Catalog.
Application and Admission Criteria
Students who wish to complete the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management, Negotiation, and Mediation must meet admissions criteria for the Master’s degree in General Studies in Human Environmental Sciences with a 3.0 or higher GPA. If the prospective student does not have the 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 on the last 60 hours of course work, then the student must provide the GRE or MAT with an appropriate score. The Graduate Certificate may be completed on campus or via distance education.
The required courses for the certificate are as follows:
- • CSM 525 Introduction to Consumer Conflict Resolution
- • CSM 527 Consumer Mediation, Negotiation and Management/Advanced I/Emotional Intelligence
- • CSM 528 Consumer Conflict Mediation, Management, & Negotiation/Advanced II
- • CSM 559 Techniques of Consumer Counseling
- • CSM 586 Consumer Human Capital Management/Advanced III
For more information on the Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management, Negotiation, and Mediation, please contact:
- Dr. Kym Reddoch
- The University of Alabama
- College of Human Environmental Sciences
- Department of Consumer Sciences
- Box 870158
- Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0158
- kreddoch@ches.ua.edu
- (205) 348-4526
Consumer Quality Management
Consumer Quality Management
Prepare yourself to become a quality management leader by earning your Master of Science in Human Environmental Sciences with a specialization in Consumer Quality Management from The University of Alabama. This 30-hour program is offered completely online to make earning a degree convenient for working adults. If you currently work or would like to work in quality management and would like to develop a deeper understanding of the field, this degree program can help you reach your goals.
The CQM area of study will provide you with a comprehensive study of the facilitation skills necessary to lead an organization in continuous improvement. You will also:
- • Develop your skills in quality assurance, customer service and workplace efficiency.
- • Learn to analyze management systems.
- • Establish an understanding of the functions and structures of customer relations.
- • Learn to implement practical conflict management and formal mediation techniques.
You will also study leadership principles, qualities and styles to further develop your leadership skills and potential.
As a graduate of this program, you will hold a degree from one of the top universities in the nation and be able to call yourself a graduate of The University of Alabama. Your courses will be taught by the same world-class faculty members who teach on campus.
Curriculum
The Consumer Quality Management (CQM) area of study requires 30 graduate semester hours of credit. Once admitted, a student can petition for transfer of graduate credit up to six (6) semester hours if all criteria are satisfied. Once admitted, students are advised by the CQM Faculty Advisor. All courses are asynchronous and delivered online.
Admissions
To apply for admission consideration for the CQM area of study, an application would need to have the following:
- • A 3.0 undergraduate degree GPA (or 3.0 GPA for the last 60 degree hours) on a 4.0 Scale from a regionally accredited post-secondary institution (or equivalent).
- • An entrance graduate examination score (GRE or MAT) if the 3.0 GPA requirement above is not met or an International Applicant (See UA Graduate School graduate.ua.edu for details).
- • Complete Online Graduate School application for the Distance Degree Learner with MS in General Human Environmental Sciences with CQM Specialization.
- • Three Online Recommendations as outlined by CQM.
- • A Statement of Purpose as outlined by CQM
- • Current Resume as outlined by CQM.
- • Review CQM Inquiry Letter, CQM Application Information, and CQM Fact Sheet online for specific details on the area of study and application
Non-Degree Application
One may choose to take a few courses as a non-degree seeking student prior to formal application to a degree program. This option allows a person to take a maximum of 12 semester hours as a non-degree student. One must apply to a degree program before taking any further courses beyond 12 semester hours. The non-degree GPA will not be used to determine GPA qualifications for admission. The applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 Scale for a non-degree admission.
For assistance with the admission process, please contact student services at aoinfo@ccs.ua.edu or 1-800-467-0227.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
- Bama By Distance Student Services
- The University of Alabama
- 1-800-467-0227
- aoinfo@ccs.ua.edu
- Program Site
- Mrs. Juanita McMath
- CQM Faculty Advisor
- College of Human Environmental Sciences
- The University of Alabama
- jmcmath@ches.ua.edu
Human Environmental Sciences
Master of Science in General Studies
Through the College of Human Environmental Sciences, you may earn a Master’s degree in General Studies completely at a distance. The online MS in General Studies will allow you the freedom to develop an intriguing program of study in more than one area of Human Environmental Sciences. Your program of study may include courses in leadership, communication, entrepreneurship, management, health, and technology. Earning a degree in General Studies will sharpen your critical thinking and communication skills, preparing you for success in today’s global and fast-paced economy.
UA’s distinguished faulty members will guide you as you select the program of study that will enable you to achieve your unique career goals. This program can be tailored to strengthen your professional skills in order to enhance your current career or increase your options for finding a new direction.
Curriculum
This 30-hour program gives the student with specific career goals an opportunity to develop an innovative program of study with a focus on at least one area within the College. Each student majoring in general human environmental sciences is expected to file a program of study, which must be approved by an academic advisor.
Additional courses offered through various departments are available depending on the student's undergraduate preparation and program of study. With the approval of their academic advisor, students may incorporate these courses into their curriculum. For more information, please visit the College of Human Environmental Sciences website and click on Distance Education Degrees or call 800-467-0227.
Admission
In order to be considered for admission to this graduate degree program, one of the following is required:
- • a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) overall or for the last 60 hours of an undergraduate degree, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose
- • an entrance examination score (if the student does not meet the GPA Requirements), three letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals
Students may apply to complete 12 hours as a non-degree student before being admitted to The University of Alabama's Graduate School.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
- Bama By Distance Student Services
- The University of Alabama
- 1-800-467-0227
- aoinfo@ccs.ua.edu
- Program Site
- Dr. Stuart Usdan
- Senior Associate Dean
- College of Human Environmental Sciences
- The University of Alabama
- susdan@ches.ua.edu
Interactive Technology
Interactive Technology Website
Hospitality MANAGEMENT
Two plans are available for graduate work in RHM. Plan I is a thesis option and Plan II is a non-thesis option. For Plan I, the student must earn a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit, including HES 509, one course in statistics, and 18 hours in courses in an area of study in areas supporting the degree program. Plan I students must complete at least 6 semester hours of thesis research and write a thesis. A final oral examination is required upon completion of the thesis, and a manuscript of publishable quality based on the thesis research is expected of each Phase I degree candidate.
For Plan II, students must complete 30 hours of coursework and a final evaluation as determined by departmental guidelines. For both options, a grade of “B” or higher must be earned in all courses taken in the College of Human Environmental Sciences.
Program Website
Sport hospitality
Program Website