Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement

Designed to be a transformative experience for graduate students and professionals, this program covers the practice and theory of leading groups through collaborative decision-making. Through a series of four courses, students will learn:

• approaches to participatory planning and collaborative decision-making that are supported by sound scholarship
• communication and leadership skills for designing and leading productive meetings
• dialogic practices for developing and maintaining constructive working relationships and managing conflict
• proven frameworks selecting or designing engagement processes for organizations, stakeholders, or whole communities
• a wide range of tools and techniques for engaging small and large groups to address conflicts, explore alternatives and inform policy
• principles and practices that move groups toward sustainable action that changes lives

Courses are presented in a hybrid format, with some offered online and others face to face. Students will interact regularly with each other and leaders in the field, who serve as collaborating guest faculty. A capstone engagement project concludes the certificate. Recognized as one of the most valued parts of the program, it provides opportunities for coached practice with faculty and seasoned practitioners.

Students in the program may pursue a 12-hour graduate certificate by enrolling in the courses for credit. The DDPE program is also designed for individuals who desire noncredit professional development instead of academic credit.