Fri 03 Feb 2023
Introduction to Mediation Online Course
Posted by mbcstaff
Introduction to Mediation is open for registration!
If you are interested in gaining more exposure to dispute resolution, Introduction to Mediation is open for registration!
This course is a wonderful opportunity to expand your knowledge, build relationships in the field, and work towards becoming a Registered Roster Mediator. This online course will introduce students to the concepts and skills necessary to apply an interest-based mediation process to disputes in a variety of areas such as child protection mediation, family law mediation, and civil mediation.
Fall Details and Registration
What's special about this course?
Listen to Lori Frank, course instructor and Mediate BC Director of Child Welfare Initiatives, answer some questions about this course and how it might be different! Please note that this Instagram chat was recorded for the first session of the course (Apr 4-Jun 20, 2023) and some of the details may be different than the session currently open for registration. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will this course qualify me for the mediation rosters?
What would be the next step on the path to becoming a mediator after this course?
What will I receive upon completing Intro to Mediation? A certificate?
What are some of the main topics discussed in the course curriculum?
How much coursework is required outside of the class times?
What is different about this course compared to others out there?
Can I take the course from another time zone or do I have to be located in BC?
What if I can’t make it to all of the classes?
Will this course qualify me for the mediation rosters?
This course will provide 46 hours of core education that can be used toward meeting the application criteria for various rosters. It also includes 8 hours of coached roleplay that is required by many rosters. Additional training and experience will be required to apply for the mediation rosters.
What would be the next step on the path to becoming a mediator after this course?
Following this course, we recommend that you enroll in an advanced level course. Mediate BC will be offering an advanced course in the fall of 2023. An advanced level course will allow you to build on the foundational skills you learned in this introductory course. In addition to taking an advanced level course, we suggest you consider areas of interest and research what is required for admission to the various rosters.
What else might this course be beneficial for if I don’t want to become a mediator? Are there are other fields this can be applied to?
There are many applications for the communication skills and opportunities to reflect on your values, strengths, and areas for development. In particular, this course may be well suited to someone in a leadership position or who is aspiring to move into a leadership role.
What will I receive upon completing Intro to Mediation? A certificate?
Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate.
What are some of the main topics discussed in the course curriculum?
There is a focus on learning and practicing core mediation skills that culminates in applying those skills to the mediation process from beginning to end. Along the way, we will be covering topics such as ethics, power imbalances, a trauma-informed approach, Indigenous perspectives, family violence, and mental health. We will be connecting those various topics to skills development and considering how they inform the mediation process. See the course outline for each week's topic.
How much coursework is required outside of the class times?
This will vary from student to student, but we would suggest students plan for 2 to 4 hours of work outside of class and coaching time.
Do you offer bursaries?
At this time, we do not offer bursaries. However, we want this course to be accessible to everyone so financial assistance is something we are working on. We would encourage prospective students to reach out to their networks and communities to determine if they are eligible for assistance in other ways. For example, an employer may provide some professional development funding to an employee. Or, if a student is a member of a First Nation or other Indigenous community, they could inquire about potential funding sources.
What is different about this course compared to others out there?
In creating this course, we’ve really focused on creating something that is comprehensive. By that we mean, we wanted to take a holistic approach to the mediation process and focus not just on skills but on connecting a variety of factors that need to be considered throughout the mediation process. This holistic approach also includes the student as a future mediator and provides the student with many opportunities along the way to reflect on their own lived experience, their values, and everything they bring to the process. This course will help to prepare a mediator to work in a variety of areas, such as Child Protection Mediation or the Human Rights Tribunal. These are areas that are not usually considered in course content.
Can I take the course from another time zone or do I have to be located in BC?
The course and coaching are all done online. A student can be in any time zone as long as they can make it work.
What if I can’t make it to all of the classes?
The expectation is that students will attend all classes as the classes are designed to be interactive, but we understand that unforeseen circumstances arise. If a student needs to miss a class, they can work with the instructor to determine how to make up the missed class.
Are there exams? Quizzes?
There are quizzes following each module. There are also some written assignments. There is not an exam. The course is graded as pass/fail. Successful completion of the course includes consistent attendance, being fully engaged in the content, contributing to discussions, completing quizzes and assignments, and integrating the coursework and coaching feedback into their practice sessions.
