As this is one of our combination programs, you will find that there are two different course descriptions; one for each portion of the program:
Mediation:
Mediation and dispute resolution are rapidly growing fields of study and sought-after skills in the workplace. This comprehensive course provides the core skill sets necessary for the practice of mediation. As it becomes more and more apparent that individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and nations must begin to work together in peaceful ways for the common good, mediation and dispute resolution are poised to become increasingly popular. In mediation, a neutral third party, mediator, works with both sides of a dispute to have them agree on their own terms, without someone else deciding what is best for them. Students are guided through stages of mediation and how these stages apply to actual case studies of mediation. Students are offered an overview of the nature of conflict and differing styles of human interaction and are asked to explore their unique style of engaging or avoiding conflict and how this might affect their role as a mediator. The course presents an overview of theories of conflict and power, influences of gender and culture and how each helps inform a mediator’s interventions. The important skill set of negotiation, including how to apply negotiation techniques, the critical issue of timing, and caucuses and other techniques to deal with impasses in the mediation are presented. The course covers the standards and ethics of this growing profession. Students learn core people skills such as reflective listening, impartiality, reframing, effective communication, and the handling of critical moments.
Paralegal:
This course is the core of the Paralegal Associate program. Students will learn the past, present, and future of the paralegal profession, including the paralegal defined, educational options, techniques for marketing skills and career opportunities. Instructions on ethics and professional responsibility, the organizational structure of the legal workplace and office culture and politics will prepare students for the challenges of today’s paralegal. Students receive a formal introduction to the law by examining sources of American law, the court system, alternative dispute resolution, substantive law in its various forms, as well as administrative law and government regulation. Legal procedures and advanced skills involving civil litigation and trial procedures, criminal law, conducting interviews and investigations, using primary and secondary sources to legal research, the emerging technology of computed assisted legal research, in addition to legal analysis and writing provide valuable insight and a solid foundation for the future legal assistant.
Lakewood University provides everything you need for the Mediation Program. You will receive:
In its annual list of best careers, U.S. News & World Report names mediator as a top choice. The US News & World Report highlights a mediator’s important role in settling disputes and conflicts, citing it as a less expensive option than going to court.
It argues that the tough economic times may lead more people to seek out the services of mediators. With litigation costs skyrocketing, more individuals and corporations are turning to mediators to settle their legal disputes outside the courtroom. As the field of alternative dispute resolution expands, mediators are growing in number and popularity. Furthermore, formally trained mediators have excellent employment potential. Employers and private law practices increasingly hire mediators to cut costs and improve efficiency in their legal services. In fact, for many attorneys, leading their clients to mediation proves to be in the clients’ best interest, saving them time, money and undue anguish while allowing litigators to focus on cases that cannot be resolved by mediation.
Employment of arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators is projected to grow 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations. This projected growth is driven by the fact that mediations and arbitrations are typically faster and less costly than litigation and may be required in certain types of legal cases.
The median annual wage for arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators was $63,930 in May 2019.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/arbitrators-mediators-and-conciliators.htm (visited August 09, 2020).
| Payment Plan | Total Tuition | Enroll |
|---|---|---|
| Pay in full Payment in full: $17,400.00 | Tuition: $17,400.00 |
Lakewood University provides all textbooks, study guides, supplemental materials, achievement exams, and instructional support at no cost to the student.
This is a 1500 clock hour program with a tuition cost of $11.60 per clock hour (1500 clock hours X $11.60 per clock hour = $17,400.00 in tuition).
Application Fee- $75 for degree programs; $0 for vocational programs
Registration Fee – $200 for degree programs; $125 for vocational programs
Library Fee – $100 per degree semester; $250 per vocational program term
