Mediation - Lakewood University

Become a Certified Mediator in as Little as 16 Weeks

Flexible. Online. Career-focused. Veteran-friendly. Start your journey in Mediation with Lakewood University today.

Ready for a Mediation Career Without Years of School?

Many adults are looking for something more stable—a career that offers steady demand, meaningful work, and long-term opportunity. As workplaces, organizations, and communities place greater value on conflict resolution and effective communication, trained mediators play a vital role in helping individuals and groups navigate disputes and reach positive outcomes. If you are looking for a practical path into a people-centered profession, this could be your next step.

Traditional college programs can take years to complete and often require significant financial investment before you ever enter the workforce. Not everyone has the time, flexibility, or desire to commit to a multi-year degree just to begin building a career. You deserve an option that respects your time and your goals.

Lakewood University’s Mediation Program is designed for working adults who need flexibility and affordability without sacrificing quality. Our online format allows you to study around your schedule while developing the skills needed to facilitate conflict resolution in a variety of settings. It’s a focused, career-driven pathway built for real life—preparing you to apply your skills in professional environments or independently.

Lakewood University’s Mediation Certificate prepares students for certification and employment in a flexible, online format designed for working adults.

Why Choose Lakewood?

Everything you need to succeed in your new career path.

Career-Ready Training

Practical skills you can use immediately in the field.

NACM Certification Prep

Comprehensive prep for Mediation Certification Board exam.

Flexible Online Format

Learn anytime, anywhere that fits your schedule.

Designed for Adults

Support systems built for students balancing life and work.

Veteran Benefits

We proudly accept GI Bill® and other veteran education benefits.

Payment Plans

Affordable options to make your education stress-free.

Mediator Career Outlook

The demand for effective conflict resolution is growing across industries, and mediators play a vital role in helping individuals and organizations reach fair, productive outcomes. As workplaces and communities increasingly turn to alternative dispute resolution, the need for skilled mediators continues to rise.

Whether you prefer a law office, court room, airline or corporate business, your skills will be in high demand across the nation.

Job Growth

4%

2024–2034

Yearly Openings

~300

Annual avg

Median Salary

$67,710

BLS 2024

Settings

Diverse

Law offices, sports teams, corporate businesses

Program Snapshot

Quick facts you need to know about the program.

Duration

16 Weeks

Format

Online

Tuition

$7,400

Next Start

Monday

Eligibility

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Accreditation

DEAC Accredited

Work Hours

600 Clock Hours

Aid

Financial Options

Get the Mediation Program Guide

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Gold Standard in Mediation Education

DEAC accreditation signifies that the institution has met established standards for academic quality ethical practices, and student support in distance education through ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement accreditation helps ensure that programs provide students with relevant knowledge, practical skills, and high-quality educational experience.

DEAC Accredited Program

Don’t settle for unaccredited programs. Your career depends on receiving an education that employers recognize and respect.

RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY

Lakewood University was recently featured on CBS for its work in providing accessible, career-driven education to working adults and veterans. National recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering accredited programs designed to prepare students for real-world success.

"I picked up practical skills like active listening, stay neutral, and guiding conversations in a productive direction. It gave me a foundation I can build on if I decide to start my own practice, while still applying these skills in everyday life

Brian Gunn

Mediation

What You’ll Learn

Our curriculum is built around real-world conflict resolution skills. Each module is designed to move you closer to certification and professional mastery in mediation practice.

Lakewood University’s Mediation Program prepares students to facilitate productive dialogue, assist in resolving disputes, and support individuals and organizations in reaching mutually beneficial agreements.

The program emphasizes essential communication techniques for mediators, including active listening, neutral language, and effective interpersonal communication.

Coursework focuses on the precision and ethical responsibility required to ensure that all perspectives are accurately understood and represented throughout the mediation process.

Students in this program will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to qualify for entry-level mediation roles and to pursue professional certification in the field.

Program Objectives

Explain foundational concepts and processes in mediation and conflict resolution, including the five stages of mediation, key terminology, and the range of dispute resolution methods used in practice.
Apply effective communication strategies in mediation, such as active listening, managing communication barriers, and delivering clear and appropriate opening statements.
Evaluate negotiation approaches, ethical considerations, and critical thinking strategies as they relate to resolving disputes and facilitating constructive dialogue.
Demonstrate the ability to conduct mediation sessions that lead to mutually acceptable outcomes, using appropriate skills, techniques, and professional judgment.
Create professional mediation documents, including comprehensive mediation agreements and case-specific outcomes such as mediated divorce settlements.
Identify professional opportunities in the field of mediation and develop a foundational business or marketing plan for a mediation practice.

Lesson 1: Conflict Resolution Overview

Define the history of dispute resolution. Also, you will understand other dispute resolution processes such as negotiation, arbitration, mediation and other extra-trial settlement procedures that have long been an integral part of court-dominated litigation. Examination of the advantages and disadvantages of each of these processes will be learned.

Lesson 2: Mediation & You

Outline the various types of mediation. The advantages and disadvantages and advantages will be provided for each type of mediation model. A comparison between facilitative and evaluative mediation will be presented. Each participant will be able to evaluate his or her own personality against the various models. Ethical considerations will be introduced to the students concerning neutrality, fairness and bias. Each student will receive a copy of the ABA Model Rules for mediators.

Lesson 3: The Formal Mediation Process

Utilize communication techniques such as ignoring, pretending, selective listening, and active listening. You will learn how to ask open ended questions, close-ended questions, and leading questions.

Lesson 4: Legal Considerations in Mediation

Work with attorneys/accountants of the disputants to assist divorcing parties to determine appropriate division of assets and debts. This part of the course is designed to give participants assistance with these issues. A discussion of distributive bargaining and shuttle diplomacy is discussed with participants. Also, this part of the course provides instruction, as it relates to the mediation process, on how disputants may work with outside experts such as accountants, attorneys, real estate appraisers, or others. Finally, sound advice will be given relating to issues of child/spousal support.

Lesson 5: The Convening Process

Identify the convening stage of mediation, which is often the most difficult part of resolving a dispute. This stage begins when a party makes a request for mediation, either to another party or to a mediator. This is where a skillful mediator must decide and analyze the best strategy for getting the parties to participate in the mediation process. Instruction will be given to the participants on how to handle initial telephone contact and/or appointment letters. Also, this is the convening stage and is usually the stage when parties first learn of the mediation. Students will be taught the proper way to educate clients about mediation. Finally, once the parties agree to meet, the mediator should have a fee agreement, and this part of the course addresses this issue.

Lesson 6: The Opening Statement

The purpose of this lesson is to teach you how to create safety and hope for disputants through employing the opening statement. After completing this lesson, you should be able to identify the 12 Steps of an Opening and effectively prepare an Opening Statement.

Lesson 7: Communication & Information Gathering

Effectively gather information and develop communication skills. The focus will include active listening, issue defining and identification, and opening statements. Also, there will be instruction on mediator control, which will include providing structure and setting the agenda.

Lesson 8: The Negotiation Stage

Determine negotiation skills of a competent mediator, since they are usually facilitating this negotiation. The use of a negotiation-planning instrument has aided in the success of many mediators. This involves defining all of the parties, their initial positions, fallback positions, and bottom line. It is also helpful for the mediator to determine alternative, interests and creative options for the parties. This section of the course will equip the participants with this useful tool and the knowledge to properly execute it. The participants will have the opportunity to practice using their negotiation-planning instrument during this period based upon a case study.

Lesson 9: Relationship Skills

Become a skillful mediator who learns to accept and value what is being presented. You will also learn critical skills needed for facilitating communication and dealing with problems that may arise in a mediation session. Lessons will focus on identifying and understanding factual problems as well as preventing and/or dealing with uncooperative parties.

Lesson 10: Problem Solving Skills

Focus on possible problem behaviors of disputants during mediation. Explanation of the steps of addressing impasse and brainstorming techniques. Specific techniques of learning how to invent all possible options will be given.

Lesson 11: Conflict Management Skills

Identify various theories of conflict management. Additionally, both distributive and integrative bargaining techniques will be taught. Students will learn to recognize tactics of the disputants and to overcome them. Finally, students will learn to recognize and deal with interests, which disputants may or may not voice.

Lesson 12: The Closing Stage

Appropriately draft mediation agreements for your clients. Also, a discussion of the unauthorized practice of law will be presented to students. Assess the fitness of an agreement. To be durable, an agreement should be satisfying to the parties procedurally, substantively, and psychologically. This part of the course will help participants to ensure the delivery of a durable agreement. Discussion of issue of ownership of process and equity of the disputants will be provided. Finally, a discussion of reviewing the agreement in a way to prevent signer’s remorse.

Lesson 13: Ethics

Review the final portion of the ABA proposed Model Rules for Mediators. This will include instruction relating to confidentiality, caucus, and conflicts of interests. How the mediator opens the session has tremendous significance. It is usually the disputant’s first impression of the mediator’s competency and style. A skillful mediator will carefully consider the environment he or she wishes to create and plan a strategy for setting the appropriate tone.

Lesson 14: Professional Family Mediation Skills

Focus on issues that are unique to divorce and family mediation. Specifically included will be training in domestic violence, child abuse and the psychological stages of divorce. This will involve ethical concerns for the mediator and their duty to report harm to others, as balanced with confidentiality. There will also be an in-depth look at mediation as compared to counseling.

Lesson 15: Professional Business Mediation Skills

Deal with clients in a business situation. This part of the course will focus on the issues, which are unique to business environment situations. Some of the relevant issues will be negotiating with business employees, consumer’s rights, the lemon law, insurance providers, and government entities. Help parties construct a parenting plan/agreement, which is one of the most important roles for a mediator in a family mediation. This part of the course is designed to help parties develop an agreement that is free from mediation or legal linguistics. Additionally, the needs of the children are very important in dealing with family issues. Techniques will be demonstrated to keep parties/disputants focused on these needs.

Lesson 16: Mediation Practice

Effectively market a mediation practice and identify other ways to cultivate opportunities in the mediation profession. Being a mediator does not require a law degree or any other special educational background. However, there are important personal characteristics that are important to consider. This section of the course will deal with essential mediator skills. Additionally, setting up a mediation practice and marketing that practice are very essential skills for a mediator. Finally, local court policies, procedures and forms will be discussed.

You’re Not Doing This Alone

We provide the structure and support you need to cross the finish line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this program accredited?

Yes. Lakewood University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Accreditation means the program meets nationally recognized standards for quality, curriculum, and student preparation. Choosing an accredited program helps protect your time and investment.

Does this prepare me for certification?

Yes. The Mediation Certificate is designed to prepare graduates to sit for national certification examinations, including the National Association of Certified Mediators (NACM). The curriculum aligns with industry standards and includes focused preparation to help students feel confident and ready for certification.

Can I use VA benefits?

Eligible students may use approved VA education benefits for this program. Lakewood University is committed to supporting veterans and military families through the enrollment process. Our admissions team can help you determine your eligibility and guide you step by step.

Are payment plans available?

Yes. We offer flexible payment options to make the program more accessible. In addition to approved financing partners, students may choose structured payment plans based on eligibility. Our admissions team can review available options and help you select the best fit for your situation.

How long does it take?

The program can be completed in as little as 16 weeks, depending on your pace and schedule. Because the format is online and flexible, many students are able to complete their training while continuing to work or manage other responsibilities.

Will I be able to complete it while working?

The program is delivered in a flexible online format designed to accommodate working adults. While you can complete coursework around your weekly schedule, there are structured weekly deadlines to help you stay on track. All coursework must be completed by your assigned program end date, ensuring steady progress toward graduation and certification readiness.

What happens after graduation?

Before completing the program, all students have the opportunity to take the NACM exam to become a certified mediator. Lakewood University works with students to help secure career placements so you can apply what you’ve learned in a professional setting.

Upon successful program completion, graduates are prepared to sit for national certification, and Lakewood University covers the cost of your first certification exam attempt. After certification, you may pursue employment opportunities in family law or other mediation settings.

Our support does not end at graduation. Students receive lifetime access to career services, including resume guidance, job search support, and professional resources to help you continue growing in your career.

Start Your Career in Mediation Today

Join thousands of successful graduates who have transformed their lives with Lakewood University. Your new career is just 16 weeks away!

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GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA education benefits eligibility varies by individual and program. Lakewood University does not guarantee benefit approval.

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