Designing a Successful Mediation Curriculum

Abstract

Instruction in mediation prepares students to mediate interpersonal disputes in a variety of settings. New and pending legislation in most states regarding qualifications to mediate suggests that universities will be altering their curricula. While the mandate of a legislative act is important, the quality of mediation education must not suffer. Mediator education must include a strong conceptual understanding of methodology, knowledge of social theories of interpersonal conflict, skills to function as an effective third party intervenor, and a working knowledge of relevant law and fields of conflict.