Whether you are just beginning your career or you have years of work experience on your resume, completing a mediation program may be the next step to mastering the art of mediation and accessing the skills and processes that will drive your career into the next phase. Mediation is a powerful tool for dispute resolution, and completion of a program can give aspiring mediators the practical techniques that will move them forward as legal professionals. Whether the goal is to become a professional mediator with your conciliation service or to become a managing partner in a firm or business, mediator training programs will help you get there. This article will outline what mediation skills programs are, the benefits of using a program for conflict resolution, how to identify the best mediation skills training program, and getting the most out of training.
Mediator Programs Defined
Before a mediator can begin a mediator program, they must understand what the program will provide and what to expect from it. To complete a training program, a student does not need to complete law school or even have knowledge about the law, although it can be helpful. Each course will have a unique spin on the practice, such as a specialization in workplace conflict or certification with professional organizations. However, the core elements of the certificate program will be the same. The course should begin by teaching participants the core principles of the mediation process and allow students to practice the skills that they learn. The goal of these programs is to set students up for success in mediation and conflict resolution. Many courses will also help prepare their students for the business aspects of running a mediation practice and offer suggestions for people to assist so the practice can focus on mediation. In most cases, the students will earn certification in mediation to demonstrate that they have worked to master mediation processes.
The Benefits of Using the Mediation Process to Resolve Conflict
To better understand why some professional mediators will spend their time and money on access to mediation training, it is important to recognize the benefits that mediation skills can bring to conflict resolution.
Reduces Court Costs
Mediation is a way for the parties to explore their dispute and resolve it effectively. This helps lessen the burden on the court system and allows the necessary litigation to happen. This allows the parties to spend less on attorneys.
Allows Control over the Outcome
Mediation also allows the parties to have control over the outcome of the dispute and can help them resolve disputes in a way that benefits them and their needs. When the parties can control the resolution of their dispute, they can learn better conflict management, which contributes to an increase in well-being.
Encourages Further Communication
Another perk of using mediation to resolve conflict is that it leads to further communication and can help alleviate conflicts before they begin. This can be especially important if there are regular disputes surrounding the same issue, such as workplace conflict. If an organization encourages mediation skills and practice, they can develop conflict management processes in their business and find resolutions.
There are many other benefits to mediation, but understanding these benefits will help illustrate why continuing education and the development of mediation skills can be vital to a professional mediator.
Finding the Right Mediator Program
Because mediation is a popular alternative dispute resolution technique, many ADR programs have begun to provide mediation certification and training. When you are starting the process of identifying the right program for you, it can be helpful to have a list of considerations that can help narrow down the field and choose the program best suited to your needs.
Skills and Interests
Not all programs are created equal, and many of them will be tailored to fit a certain type of professional. One course will be tailored for general conflicts, while another course will dive into the specific requirements to practice federal mediation. Understanding what participants the course is tailored to will help you find the certification or program that allows you to discuss and resolve the conflicts that you wish to address. Additionally, some courses will offer certification to participants, so if that is important to your mediation practice, this needs to be kept in mind.
Professionals
The people that create and lead the coursework for a program are just as important as the course and skills themselves. Learning mediation from a professional with knowledge and expertise will help students to feel confident in their training. Exploring courses with professionals at the top of the mediation world can help identify the best training program.
Location
Another important consideration is the location of the course. Many schools and universities will offer both on-campus and online options for students to explore. Making sure that a course is within a reasonable distance for you is key. It can also be beneficial to go to a local program if accessible because the networking benefits with local mediators may help you grow your practice. For example, it would make sense to take a course in New Mexico if you would like to practice in the state. However, online programs offer accessibility that can be difficult to ignore.
Time
The final consideration is the time commitment that a course will take to finish. Some programs will be full-time for a week and then it is over, while others will be self-guided and can be finished at your leisure. Some schools and universities will run a full 40-hour mediation course throughout the semester. Understanding how a program will fit into your schedule and how much time is required is vital to choosing the right program.
Choosing to pursue training and possibly certification is a big step in the process of becoming a mediator, and finding the right training program to fulfill the needs of any professional can be difficult. However, when a party keeps these tips in mind, they can identify and contact the right organizations for their education.
Completing a Mediator Program Successfully
If you are looking to build the skills necessary for mediators to resolve conflict and to discuss dispute resolution processes daily, then attending training with a focus on mediation will ensure that you are ready to start your practice as a professional mediator. If you are committed to the process and organization, the rest will likely fall into place.
If you are looking for a new course to begin your mediation or arbitration training, click here.
Mark holds a Ph.D. in Leadership (Alliant's Marshall Goldsmith School of Management), an MBA in Finance (Pepperdine’s Graziadio School of Business), a Master's in Dispute Resolution (Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law) and a BSc in Urban Planning (Cal Poly Pomona).
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