Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation

University of Colorado - Denver

Mediation is a process in which conflict parties attempt to manage their differences with the assistance of a neutral third-party. The Certificate in Mediation is designed to provide intensive and in-depth training in mediation and communication skill competencies. Trained mediators are impartial process experts who utilize communication and conflict philosophy and theories to increase the probability of more favorable outcomes between parties in conflict. The undergraduate certificate is designed for communication majors or any student interested in developing practical skills in alternative dispute resolution. The courses in this certificate focus on alternative dispute processes that include strategies for managing conflict in personal, public, legal, political, governmental, and corporate contexts. The Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Denver enriches understanding of the roles of communication in everyday life, organizational settings and public affairs. While the roots of the study of communication trace back to the ancient arts of philosophy, rhetoric, and aesthetics, its contemporary practices speak to the opportunities and dilemmas of participating in a globalized, mediated and multicultural society. A major in communication develops knowledge and skills that are required for many different fields, including advertising, business, international relations, education, public service, government and politics, health care and public relations. Because college graduates are expected to change careers approximately seven times over the course of their lives, and because employers across a wide variety of fields seek applicants with strong oral and written communication skills, a degree in communication is a versatile and timely choice.