UNT Home | Undergraduate Majors and Interests | College of Arts and Sciences | Alternative Dispute Resolution
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University of North Texas
Undergraduate Admissions
1155 Union Circle #311277
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
www.unt.edu/aeco
E-mail: william.mckee@unt.edu
Phone: 940-565-3437
Fax: 940-565-4658
University of North Texas
Institute of Applied Economics
Undergraduate Advisor
1155 Union Circle #310469
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
Undergraduate Majors and Interests
In a world filled with conflict, individuals trained in conflict resolution are in demand as a proven, cost-effective way to address disputes. According to a Cornell University study of Fortune 1000 companies, at least 80 percent of respondents had used some type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) technique. All federal departments and Texas state agencies are required to offer alternative dispute resolution options to their employees. Increasingly, firms and organizations that use ADR in their internal and external conflicts recognize and value employees with ADR competence.
People who practice ADR come from all types of professions, including banking, construction, counseling, education, emergency administration, government and the ministry. ADR skills make you more valuable to your current employer and more marketable to potential employers.
An interdisciplinary minor in ADR through the Institute of Applied Economics will provide you an opportunity to work with numerous colleges, schools and departments at the University of North Texas. Participation in exercises, simulations, actual mediations or other forms of ADR will help you become knowledgeable and experienced in this area. There are mediation practicum opportunities with the Dallas Mediation Services, North Texas Dispute Resolution Service (Tarrant County), Pax United, and other dispute resolution agencies and services throughout the region. To complete an undergraduate minor in ADR, you must complete 21 hours of course work.
UNT also offers a professional certificate in ADR plus basic mediation and family mediation certificates. UNT's curriculum for an ADR professional certificate requires three classroom courses and a practicum for a total of 12 credit hours. Students who complete AECO 4000 and a practicum course (for a total of 6 credit hours) are eligible to receive UNT's mediation certificate, and those who follow up with the Family Mediation course receive the family mediation certificate, as well.
Other ADR electives include AECO 4980 Foundations in Conflict Resolution.
If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:
You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.
As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.
If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor/ advisor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.
To register for the minor, check on course availability and plan your course of study, you should contact William McKee, professor of applied economics. Appointments to see Professor McKee can be made by calling 940-565-3437 or e-mailing william.mckee@unt.edu.