Current Schedule of Training and Workshops
Requirements for Becoming a Mediator
Helpful Things to Consider Before Becoming a Mediator
Download a PDF of Certification Requirements
MCC offers classes to prepare mediators for certification by the Supreme Court of Virginia, Continuing Mediator Education (CME), and Workshops in conflict management and communication skills.
Training for Mediator Certification
All the following classes offered by MCC have been certified by the Office of Dispute Resolution, Supreme Court of Virginia. To see more information on the types of certification and training requirements for becoming an MCC Mediator, see our Becoming a Mediator page.
Basic Mediation Skills Training (20 hours). Prerequisite for all other certification training classes. Class covers conflict theory, communication skills, and the mediation process. The training is interactive, using role plays and activities designed to give participants practice in real life-like situations. It is appropriate for anyone wanted to improve their ability to manage conflict and solve relational problems in their personal or professional lives.
Virginia Judicial System (4 hours). An overview of the Virginia Court System and the role of mediation in the courts. Class is required for certification, except for members of the Virginia Bar.
General Observation and Role Play (8 hours). Fulfills requirement for 2 observations of general cases. Participants get additional experience in observing and role-playing typical general district court-type cases.
Family Mediation (20 hours). Required in order to mediate family cases. Covers family systems, divorce and separation, and parenting issues related to custody, visitation and support. Court referrals come from the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Screening for Domestic Violence (8 hours). Required in order to mediate family cases. Class includes introduction to the spectrum of domestic abuse and the cycle of violence, the use of mediation in cases where domestic abuse has occurred, and safety issues.
Mentoring. MCC offers observation of cases and mentoring for those pursuing certification.
New Basic Community Mediation Training
This new 16 hour training is designed as an alternative to court-certified mediation training and prepares individuals to mediate Community Mediations and Police-Referred Mediations. The first series is scheduled for May 7, May 14, May 21 and May 28 from 1 to 5 PM.
Continuing Mediator Education (CME)
MCC offers a variety of CME classes needed for professional development and for recertification. Examples of CME classes offered are: Ethics, Agreement Writing, Unauthorized Practice of Law, Mediator Peer Consultation, Culture in Mediation.
New this year we’re offering Fundamentals of Elder Mediation & Decision-Making, a 13-Hour Training co-sponsored by Piedmont Peach Center. This training for experienced mediators will cover understanding attitudes of aging and aging biases, physical and cognitive deficits (of any of the parties) that may affect the mediation process, screening for/responding to elder abuse, unique aspects of elder mediation, who participates and how they participate, multi-party/multi-issue/multi-generational mediation, knowledge of community resources to make appropriate referrals and also to include as experts at the mediation as appropriate, and legal issues regarding elders.
This training will be held in-person in Charlottesville:
February 28, 2025 from 1-7:30 PM
March 1, 2025 from 9 AM to 5 PM
The fee for general participants is $400. Please contact director@mediationcville.org for more information or to enroll.
Workshops
Our workshops in conflict management and communication skills can be planned to meet the needs of individual groups, organizations, or businesses. We’ll design a 1- to 4-hour workshop with you to deal with the concerns of administration, staff, and/or clients. MCC has workshop experience with both local government divisions and private employers, and we welcome your questions and inquiries!