Northwestern University's 40-hour Mediation Skills Training course focuses on fundamental and practical techniques to successfully resolve disputes. The certificate can be used by legal professionals as well as career changers to enter the field of dispute resolution, arbitration and mediation. Students will also learn about professional resources, and attorneys can earn mandatory continuing legal education credits.
To be awarded a certificate of completion for the Mediation Skills Training program, students must complete a five-day, 40-hour intensive course. Please note that attendance is required for the duration of the entire session to earn continuing legal education credit.
Earn Mandatory Continuing Education Credits
MCLE Credit (Attorneys)
This Mediation Skills Training program was approved for a total of 35 General MCLE Credits by the Illinois MCLE Board. 6.50 Professional Responsibility Credits are approved by the Illinois Commission on Professionalism with 1.75 hours approved for Diversity and Inclusion CLE and 2 hours approved for Mental Health and Substance Abuse CLE to fulfill the revised CLE rule for professional responsibility in Illinois that went into effect on July 1, 2017.
You may also earn continuing education credits for other jurisdictions. We will be able to assist in completing required documents, but students will need to pay the fees which may range from free to more than $100. Students may wish to review the American Bar Association CLE website and find the rules covering their jurisdiction in advance.
IMHCA Credit (Mental Health Counselors)
This Mediation Skills Training program is co-sponsored by the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association. The IMHCA is licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation to provide 35 CEs for LSWs, LCSWs, LPCs, LCPCs and LMFTs.
Association and Court Approval
Association of Attorney-Mediators (AAM)
The mediation skills training program is currently approved by AAM Training Committee to fulfill training qualification requirements for AAM membership.
Court Approval
Northwestern's training program has been approved by the Presiding Judge of the Law Division of Cook County as satisfying one of the requirements to become a Certified Mediator in Cook County. Read about the other requirements on the Cook County Website Rule 20.08.
Northwestern's training program has been approved by the Presiding Judge of the Domestic Relations Division of Cook County as satisfying one of the requirements to become a Certified Mediator in Cook County. Please see Rule 13.4(x)(b) for minimum qualifications for in inclusion on Court-Certified Mediator roster for Cook County Domestic Relations Division.
The program is approved under Part 146 by the New York State Unified Court System's Office of ADR Programs. Final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is either approved or pending approval does not guarantee placement on a local court roster.
Tuition and Financial Aid for the Mediation Skills
Instructors for this program have a range of expertise, specializations and work experience. Read about their qualifications on our Mediation Skills Faculty page.
Careers in Mediation
In addition to professional mediators, the program will benefit professionals in supervisory or managerial roles. Human resources professionals, corporate executives and sales professionals from a variety of industries have benefited from this program in the past. Read more on the Careers in Mediation Skills page.
Find out more about Northwestern's Mediation Skills Training Program
Contact SPS Enrollment Advisers
SPS enrollment advisers at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies can be a resource to you for inquiries regarding our certificate programs.
Mediation Skills Core Courses
Core Courses:
Course Detail
Mediation Skills Training MED_SKIL 100-0
This intensive synchronous program provides students with the
hands-on opportunity to engage in mediations and acquire the skills
used to assist parties with divergent interests to reach a
resolution. Through extensive simulations in which students will
have the opportunity to be both the mediator and a party in a
dispute, students will learn how third-party intervention can
resolve conflict in a wide variety of settings, from workplace and
commercial to interpersonal and community disputes. A significant
focus of the program will be the use of mediation role play
exercises in which students will be observed and coached by
professional mediators. The course is facilitated by well-respected
mediation trainers in the field.
Required Course Preparation:
Students should read Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement
Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, and Bruce
Patton prior to the first
day of class.
Registered students can access their online course site
here. An
activated NetID and password is required for login. *Please note:
It may take up to 24-hours for registered students to be added to
the online course platform.
