Frequently Asked Questions

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Are there prerequisites for applying to the program? Do I need to have a specific academic background to be accepted?

As the program is interdisciplinary in nature, we accept applicants from a wide variety of academic backgrounds which reflect the interdisciplinary interest in conflict resolution around the world. Accepted students have come from academic fields as disparate as: Political Science, International Relations, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, History, Cultural Studies, Fine Arts, Business Administration, Law, and more.

What kinds of professions might require this degree?

There are no specific professional profiles that would require this particular degree in the sense that specific degrees are required to be a lawyer or a physician. However, understanding negotiation and conflict resolution is a core necessity and asset for any profession that includes sustaining relationships and other dynamics of interpersonal, organizational, community-based, international and intercultural life.

 

The following are good examples of works that suit conflict professionals: Trainers, consultants, organizational conflict design specialists, human resource managers, mediators and arbitrators, community development and equal opportunity advocates, violence intervention and prevention professionals or community peacemakers.

 

For more information on what graduates of the program are doing today, see our alumni page

What is the workload of the courses, and the program in general?

As the program is to be completed in three semesters, the pace of the classes in particular, and the program in general, is very demanding. Students are expected to devote a significant amount of time to keep up with course readings, interim assignments, and finals. As inter-semester breaks in Israeli higher education are used for exams and paper writing, and not primarily for vacation, students are expected to budget their own time accordingly. From student feedback, students find the program very intensive and demanding. 

Is the program designed for people working full-time?

No, the program is not designed for people working full time. It is an intensive year and therefore it is not possible to have a full-time job during the studies.

Moreover, please note that an Israeli student visa does not allow students to work in Israel. However, since we teach primarily from Monday through Thursday from 12:00pm-8:00pm, it is possible to take on a part-time activities such as internships.

Can the program be completed with a thesis?

Yes! There is an option to write a thesis in the second year. Visit our thesis page for more details.

What is the projected class size?

Approximately 35 students in core courses, 15-25 students in elective and seminar courses. 

Do you require results from a graduate school entrance exam?

No, applicants are not required to submit results from an exam such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Can I defer my acceptance to the following year?

While we do allow for accepted student to defer their confirmation fee payment towards payment for the following year, we cannot guarantee that the same spot will exist in the following cohort. We have many applicants for a limited amount of spaces, and each year becomes more competitive than the last. As such, our Admissions Committee's recommendations are based upon both the qualitificaitons of individual applications and on the overall cohort's demographics and diversity.

How many credits is the MA Program in Conflict Resolution and Mediation?

The program is 38 credits in the Israeli system (76 ECTS credits). 22 credits are required courses and 16 are elective/seminar credits.

What is the estimated cost of living in Tel Aviv?

We estimate the cost of living between $1500-$2000 per month, though students have been known to live in Tel Aviv for less. Upon being accepted, students are given a variety of resources to find apartments and acclimate into life in Tel Aviv.

Do I need to know any Hebrew?

No, you do not need to have any Hebrew knowledge to study in the program. However, we strongly recommend our students to take a Hebrew Ulpan course in order to enhance their experience in Israel. You can find more information by clicking here.

Is the MA a MASA program?

Yes. In order to apply for MASA, you need to fulfill certain conditions. Please click here or contact us for more details.

What about scholarships?

A growing number of options are available for both merit- and needs-based scholarship funding. For most scholarships, students should apply several months before classes begin. Visit our scholarships page for details and eligibility.

Can the program be started in the spring semester?

Our program is built so that all core courses, which are mandatory, are only offered in the fall semester. Students in a given cohort are expected to begin and finish their studies together, starting in the fall semester of each academic year. Matriculated students in our program, or in another international program at Tel Aviv University; exchange students; and those looking to audit a course (i.e. receive no academic credit) may take our courses in the Spring Semester, pending any prerequisites and available space.

Can I study in the program part-time over two years?

The requirement by the Israeli Ministry of Education for one year international programs is that all students must complete their studies within the year beginning in the fall semester. 

Are Arabic studies part of the program?

Within the framework of the studies, Tel Aviv International offers both Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Palestinian Arabic courses. Courses can take place in the summer before the academic year and twice per week in the morning during the academic year.

Is there an option for on-campus housing (dormitories)?

There is a very limited amount of on-campus housing for international graduate students. International graduate students are housed with similar students, ideally from the same program. Rooms are located in larger suites, with both single- and double-occupancy rooms available. For updated prices, please consult the TAU International website. Accepted students who want to live in on-campus housing, for the entire year or for the first few months of the first semester, must inform the office as soon as possible. For more information, please contact our program. 

Given the age range of our students, the majority prefer to live in the city. Tel Aviv, like most Western-oriented cities, has a dynamic real estate market with a constant supply of available apartments in various price ranges. Confirmed students will receive a list of resources to aid them in their real estate search, including sublets from graduating students.

Will there be opportunities to meet Israeli students on campus?

The program works with the University's Student Union to provide the same services to both international and Israeli students on campus. In addition, the Student Union inaugurated a program called The Buddy System, the first of its kind in Israel, which connects individual international and Israeli students together for long-term cross-cultural interactions. The Buddy System has its own series of events on and off campus, open to all students, which are conducted in English.

How far is the university from the city center?

TAU is located in the municipality of Tel Aviv-Yafo in one of the northern residential neighborhoods called Ramat Aviv. There are several bus lines which reach campus via the city center, and take approximately twenty to thirty minutes. Many students arrive to campus by bicycle, as well.

Is the program accredited in my country?

 The program is accredited by the Israeli Ministry of Education and the Council for Higher Education. In the United States, Tel Aviv University programs participate with the Department of Education’s FFEL Program. To date, the program has over 450 graduates from 60 countries around the world and all have an accredited degree in their country.  

When applying, I am asked to upload my diploma but I am in my final year of studies and will only receive the diploma at the end of my academic year. Do I need to wait until I receive my diploma to start my application?
We have many students who apply to the program in their final year of undergraduate studies and the process for the application is as follows:
 
Request that a current copy of your transcript be sent to the TAU International NY office (alternatively, you can upload a copy of your transcript but it will need to include the university stamp and signature), and if your current GPA meets our standard of acceptance, that is sufficient to receive a conditional acceptance letter - the acceptance letter of course is also conditional upon your remaining application documents.  Once you complete your studies at the end of the academic year, you will need to upload a copy of your diploma and request that your final transcripts be sent to the NY office as we need to make sure that your final GPA has been maintained to our acceptance standards.  Only send this request once you've received your diploma.  If your GPA has been maintained, we will send you a final acceptance letter.
 
The address to send transcripts to the NY office is: 
Tel Aviv International
8 West 40th Street, 8th floor
New York, NY 10018, USA
I only receive one copy of my official transcript and diploma from my university. Can I bring the final official transcript and diploma with me to Israel?

Yes, most universities outside of the US either provide only one transcript or only indicate the date of completion of studies on the diploma.  In this situation, students are required to bring their diploma and final official stamped transcript with them to the program.  We will make copies of the transcripts and return them immediately to the student.  You will still need to upload a copy of your transcript to the application (the copy should include university stamp and signature) as we need to evaluate your grade point average to see that they meet our standards of acceptance.

What about the current situation in Israel? Will I be affected?
Tel Aviv International has created the following page https://international.tau.ac.il/safety-and-political-development to update on the current political and safety situation. The site is constantly updated to ensure that our students have the knowledge required to remain safe.

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