Which Schools Offer Mediation Certification in California?

Do you want to become a mediator in California? There are public and private universities in the state that offer mediator certificate programs.

What You Need to Know

Mediation certificates are offered by several universities in the state of California. Most certificate programs take less than a year to complete, though some may take a few years. Some programs require students to have a bachelor's degree before admission. Many programs offer students the opportunity to get real world experience at local courts or related systems. Read on to learn more about some of the certificate programs in California and see if any will work for your needs.

Mediator Certificate Programs in California

California State University, Northridge

The university's certificate program in mediation is offered through the school's Tseng College. Classes include mediation techniques and cross-cultural communications. You will also have the opportunity to participate in a practicum, which involves 20 hours of real-work mediation experience in the Los Angeles Superior Court system followed by 10 hours of online assessment.

• Program Name: Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution
• Program Length: 1 semester (17 weeks) full-time
• Tuition: $6,893 per year for in-state students, $18,773 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree with good academic standing; strong communication abilities in the English language
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 35,051 undergraduate students and around 5,161 graduate students

Pepperdine University

The university's dispute resolution certificate program is offered through the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, which is part of the university's School of Law. Classes include an introduction to legal procedures and divorce mediation. Some classes are restricted to students who hold a law degree or are enrolled in law school. The school also offers an undergraduate Certificate in Conflict Management, which is offered in conjunction with the school's Seaver College.

• Program Name: Certificate in Dispute Resolution
• Program Length: 1 semester (14 and a half weeks) full-time
• Tuition: $53,932 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 3,627 undergraduate and around 4,334 graduate students

University of California, Irvine

The university's mediator program is administered through the School of Social Sciences. The certificate program is offered as a complement to an undergraduate degree in any major. You can participate in the program as a sophomore, junior or senior. After completing a one-quarter conflict resolution seminar, you will be required to complete 100 volunteer hours of mediation services over three quarters with the Orange County Human Relations Commission. The university's Office of the Ombudsman also offers a one-week mediation training program. Special attention is paid to mediation in Small Claims Court.

• Program Name: Mediator Certification
• Program Length: Four quarters
• Tuition: $13,700 per year for in-state students, $42,692 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 29,736 undergraduate students and around 6,296 graduate students

University of California, Santa Barbara

The university's mediation certificate program is offered through the school's extension program. The curriculum requires six classes and students are able to choose three elective courses. Classes you will take as part of this program include negotiation skills and mediation theory. Classes are offered at the Santa Barbara campus and Ventura Center campus. Students must complete the program within five years of the start date.

• Program Name: Mediation and Dispute Resolution Professional Certificate Program
• Program Length: 2-3 years
• Tuition: $14,391 per year for in-state student, $43,383 per year for out-of-state students (2018-2019)
• School Type: 4-year, public; around 23,070 undergraduate students and about 2,906 graduate students

In summary, if you want to become a mediator in California, you can enroll in a certificate program at Cal State Northridge, Pepperdine, UC Irvine, or UC Santa Barbara.