Mediation and Dispute Resolution Degrees

Overview

A mediation and dispute resolution is a process by which different people involved in a dispute submit their difference of opinion to the judgment of an impartial person or group appointed by mutual consent or statutory provision. Mediation services are provided to a variety of people, like couples who wish to divorce, business organizations, and in judicial proceedings. For a mediator to provide services within a court proceeding, they are required to have a license in some states. However for private mediation services, training and a degree in some of the law professions is sufficient. You can pursue mediation and dispute resolution degrees either as a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or as associate degrees. You can also pursue certifications if you don't want to spend too much time in school.

The curriculum for this degree includes dispute resolution practices, alternative dispute resolution, trial advocacy, negotiation, rethinking zealousness, cross culture dispute resolution and mediation. Other courses include restorative justice, challenging conversations, institutionalizing peacemaking, theories of conflict, family mediation bridge course, and arbitration. You can pursue all these subjects as an individual certification also. The duration of the degree program varies from three to four years, depending on the school you wish to study at. The duration for a certification program may range from two days to one week.

Benefits

One of the major advantages of pursuing a mediation and dispute resolution degree is that, it provides high job prospects. These degrees are on the rise, due to expenses involved in lawyer fees, court fees, and process complexities. Annual income is generally between $28,000 and $102,200 per year on an average and depending upon experience. This degree gives you the skills and confidence to settle disputes and solve problems.

Costs

The cost of a mediate and dispute resolution degree varies depending on the college or university you choose to study at. The average tuition fee for a bachelor's degree is around $1,200 per quarter. The tuition fee for a master's degree may range around $16,000 to $22,000 per year and for the certification programs you may have to shell out $1,000 on average per subject. Additional expenses may include food, lodging, and transportation.

Schools

There are many schools and colleges in the United States which provide mediation and dispute resolution degrees. National University and University of Oregon are some of the colleges which provide degree programs in mediation and dispute resolution. Hamline University has certification programs if that interests you.

Testing & Preparation

To pursue this degree, you should have a high school certificate or the general education development (GED) diploma. Many colleges expect a minimum score of 2.5 in core subjects on the ranking scale of 5. And if you are to attend graduate school, you may have to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Apart from these, you should possess superior communication and analytical skills, be honest and patient, and above all, be unbiased in your feelings.

Financial Aid

Students who pursue mediation and dispute resolution degrees from accredited technical schools, colleges, or universities are eligible for financial aid. This is usually available in the form of a scholarship, grant, or loan. You can also get in touch with the schools, as many colleges provide concession in fees for in-state students, and they also provide financial aid for other students. Federal Student Aid and USA Funds provide financial aid and scholarships for deserving students. The University of Oregon and National University are a few of many schools who offer scholarships to deserving students.