Online Class: Mediation 101

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
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13Lessons
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23Exams &
Assignments -
1,637Students
have taken this course -
11Hours
average time -
1.1CEUs
Course Description
This Mediation 101 course is not only geared toward those who are interested in learning what it takes to become a professional mediator, but it also makes a great tool for those who will be involved in any aspect of mediation. By explaining the stages involved in the process, as well as clearly outlining the roles each party plays, this online class can help reduce anxiety and answer any questions that might have arisen over the issue of whether or not mediation is the right alternative for a particular case.
From the basics of defining just what mediation entails, to the more in-depth issues surrounding mediator liability, this course creates an excellent starting point for those who would like to have a solid understanding of the process. This class also covers the types of information necessary to determine whether or not a case is a good candidate for mediation, the confidentiality issues involved, and what follow-up activities can be expected. Additionally, each section concludes with a quiz that allows you to assess your comprehension of the information presented.
Course Motivation
For most of us, the concept of negotiation is something that should be tucked away and kept within the legal corners of society. These days, disputes over money, relationship separations, and other interpersonal conflicts often grow to such proportions that it seems like the only recourse is to hire a lawyer and go through the tedious process of lawsuits and court dates.What is Mediation?
Mediation is a formal but not legally binding meeting between two parties (a complainant and a respondent), and a mediator with the intent of settling a dispute. The complainant is the individual who wishes to seek a resolution. The respondent is the second party against whom the dispute is being made, in law, this would be the individual "defending" the case being brought against him or her. The mediator is an unbiased, third party who can direct the proceedings with as little conflict and wasted resources as possible.
Unlike formal law or other forms of negotiation, mediation is generally considered a voluntary, collaborative process that focuses on the best outcome for both parties. Compare this to legal systems, which often focus on each party trying to "win" or somehow get the greatest financial reparation possible from the other party.
Mediation is a little more complicated than that, however. Before a case can be considered for mediation, the situation and the parties must fall under certain mediation qualifications.
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Mediation is voluntary. No party is forced to be there, and the process may be stopped at any time. No legal recourse will result should one party end the mediation before a conclusion has been reached.
- Mediation is cooperative. Both parties must be willing to "give-and-take" so that the result is one that is in the best interest of everyone involved.
- Mediation is limited. In legal cases, the law can decide what a person may or may not do. In mediation, both the complainant and the respondent can refuse any part of the outcome.
- Mediation is low key. In mediation cases, there is typically little fanfare or press coverage. In the event that both parties agree upon it, confidentiality can be made formal by contract, but it is not required. No one can force the complainant or respondent to disclose any information they do not want to.
- Mediation is formal. Although not as formal as traditional legal proceedings, the purpose behind mediation is to create a professional, neutral atmosphere in which to reach a conclusion. To this end, the mediator should respect certain rules, mediation laws, and best practices to maintain formality.
- Mediation is fair. The best mediators are the ones who know how to remain impartial, neutral, and balanced throughout the entire process. Issues of ethics and confidentiality are key, and no one should feel pressured or coerced to give up any of their rights. It is also fair in that the complainant and respondent should not have an imbalance in their own relationship (that is, one party should not have substantially more money or have a history of any type of abuse with the other party).
- Mediation is personal. No matter how formal and balanced the mediation is, the issues at hand are often ones that affect people's lives in a major way, and the decisions they make are ultimately their own. To reach conclusions that will realistically be put into practice without further dispute, it is typically necessary to take into account issues of self esteem and participant satisfaction.
The Philosophy of Mediation
As a practice, mediation actually goes back thousands of years. While we tend to think of it as an alternative to the current legal system, it has been around in some form or another for as long as people have felt a need to communicate ideas and settle disputes. From ancient Greek debating practices to the feudal system in which single, powerful landowners settled disputes based on their own principles of right and wrong, mediation has always been relied on to keep the peace.
What is most important in understanding the philosophy of mediation is that it is not dependent on a set of exterior laws or requirements. In most societies, there are laws that govern what we can and cannot do as human beings, and mediation has no desire to change or alter those laws. Yet, while no mediation outcome can exist in defiance of the law, it goes above and beyond external parameters to allow a more humanistic approach to dispute settlement. After all, the purpose is not to assign blame or uphold a strict moral code. The purpose of mediation is to allow two (or more) people to sit down and communicate, through a mediator, to come up with a solution that takes their own concerns to heart rather than society's or the legal system's.
In philosophy, this idea is known as "natural law." In natural law, we move beyond courts and formal processes to do what is right for each person on an individual level.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Lesson 1. What is Mediation?
Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Mediation; Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 1 : What is Mediation?
Lesson 2. Why Use Mediation?
Lesson 2 Video
Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 2 : Why Use Mediation?
Lesson 3. What Does it Take to Be a Good Mediator?
Lesson 3 Video
Lesson discussions: Good Mediator
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 3 : What Does it Take to Be a Good Mediator?
Lesson 4. Preparing for Mediation
Lesson 4 Video
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 4: Preparing for Mediation
Lesson 5. Opening Statements
Lesson 5 Video
Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 5: Opening Statements
Lesson 6. Open Session
Lesson 6 Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 6: Open Session
Lesson 7. Brainstorming
Lesson 7 Video
Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 7: Brainstorming
Lesson 8. Creating a Mediation Agreement
Lesson 8 Video
Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 8: Creating a Mediation Agreement
Lesson 9. Closing Statement and Follow Up
Lesson 9 Video
Assessment: Lesson 9: Closing Statement and Follow Up
Lesson 10. Mediation and Confidentiality
Lesson 10 Video
Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 10: Mediation and Confidentiality
Lesson 11. Legal Implications of Mediation
Lesson 11 Video
Lesson discussions: Background
Assessment: Lesson 11: Legal Implications of Mediation
Lesson 12. Moral Implications of Mediation
Lesson 12 Video
Assessment: Lesson 12: Moral Implications of Mediation
Lesson 13. Mediator Liability
Lesson 13 Video
Lesson discussions: Course Completion Poll: Your Thoughts; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 13: Mediator Liability
Assessment: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define mediation.
- Describe the skills of a good mediator.
- Describe the preparations needed to take before beginning the mediation process.
- Demonstrate creating opening statements.
- Define the open session.
- Define brainstorming process.
- Describe how to create a mediation agreement.
- Summarize the closing statement and follow up.
- Summarize mediation and confidentiality.
- Summarize legal implications of mediation.
- Summarize moral implications of mediation.
- Describe mediator liabilities.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Time to complete | 6 months |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "The instructor was quite knowledgeable and interesting to listen to." -- Patricia T.
- "The lessons were clear and easy to follow. Great course." -- Dean T.
- "It was a pleasure studying and talking with this instructor. She was very helpful when I had a question that had nothing to do with Mediation 101. I would definitely take more of her classes." -- Ruby R.
- "I can now go out and Mediate with confidence. Thank You!" -- Linda A.
- "This course was extremely helpful to me and answered all of my questions. I appreciated the prompt response of my instructor. I feel prepared to mediate conflict resolution sessions within my client organizations." -- Michele S.
- "I found the process of mediation very interesting. There were lots of things I didn't know about the mediation process that will be helpful to me. I enjoyed all the extra readings as well as the course material." -- Sheila G.
- "Happy with the course, thank you. It was an interesting course. I am looking for other courses to complete." -- Keith M.
- "I found all parts of this course helpful. Instructor really kept up with me, I worked this course quickly and she was very explicit, on her comments, which was very helpful in my learning experience. My goal was too make a career change and this course and the instructor were wonderful, and navigating the system was easy to figure out." -- Teresa C.
- "All of it was helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed this course!!" -- Mohammad H.
- "Enjoyed taking this course! The overall course content gave me the basic in-depth information I needed in order to consider becoming a Child/Family Mediator. I anticipate furthering my education in Mediation as a result of taking this course." -- Lynda M.
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