Training For Mediator Certification
Register for a class by clicking the “add to cart” button.
Basic Mediation Skills
October 21-28, 2023, during nonbusiness hours
Saturday, Oct. 21, at 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28, at 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Trainer: Pamela Struss, PhD
Location: Zoom — You must have reliable internet service with both video and audio capabilities
Registration deadline: Friday, Oct. 13, 2023
Fee: $575, plus $32 cost of book you must purchase separately before the course: Practice of Mediation in Civil Court and in the Commonwealth of Virginia: Introduction to Mediation, Process, Skills and Problem Solving, 3rd Edition, by Pamela Struss & Alexander Pais. Available at Amazon, George Mason Univ Bookstore, and other outlets.
Earlybird rate: $525 if paid in full by Friday, Sept. 22, 2023
This 20-hour class introduces the concepts and purposes of mediation and teaches the elements and skills needed to meet the initial requirement of eventually becoming a mediator certified in basic mediation skills. Successful completion of this class enables a person to take other required mediation trainings, including Family Mediation Skills.
Dr. Struss brings extensive experience teaching and practicing mediation. She received her doctoral degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and teaches a variety of graduate and undergraduate courses for several universities.
There is a minimum registration requirement of 4 people for this class to be held. If MCC determines that the class cannot be held for any reason, registration fees received will be refunded in full. Please see the Note at the bottom of this page for information on payer cancellations.
Basic Mediation Role Play and Case Observation
To be scheduled.
This 8-hour class may be taken in lieu of observing two mediations with a certified Mentor for General District certification. Participants gain experience through observing and role-playing typical General District-type cases.
Virginia’s Judicial System
August 17, 2023
Registration is closed.
This 4-hour class offers an overview of Virginia’s court system as well as mediation legislation, the role of court support personnel, and related issues. It is one of the required courses for Virginia mediator certification. The course will be taught by Christine Reilly, Senior Publications Attorney at Virginia Continuing Legal Education (CLE).
Family Mediation Skills
To be scheduled.
This 20-hour class introduces the concepts and purposes of mediation as it pertains to family issues, including child custody, co-parenting arrangements, and child support. It teaches the elements and skills needed to meet the initial requirement of eventually becoming a mediator certified in family mediation skills and is required for certification at the J&DR court level. Successful completion of this course enables a person to take other required mediation trainings eventually leading to a class covering Circuit Court Family mediation.
Assessment for Domestic Violence
To be scheduled.
This 8-hour course, required for certification at the JDR and Circuit Court Family levels, addresses domestic violence and how to screen for and handle it in the mediation context. Participants will learn to identify domestic abuse and how the dynamics of an abusive relationship can affect mediation as well as safety steps to take for both mediators and clients. This course will be held in person, COVID permitting. Masks will be offered. The course will be postponed and/or made virtual if pandemic circumstances warrant it.
Continuing Mediator Education (CME)
Presentations and workshops approved by DRS for CME credit are periodically scheduled on topics relevant to mediation and mediator education.
Note: If you pay by check for any class and it is returned for insufficient funds, a $30 fee is owed in addition to the full class fee. If you must cancel attending a class 5 or more business days prior to the class start date and have paid your tuition in full, your tuition will be returned by check less a 15% class materials and administrative charge. Please give us notice of cancellation by e-mail or in writing and include the amount that was paid, when it was paid, the attendees’ USPS mailing address and phone number. Please, no phone or voice mail cancellations as they will not be accepted. Cancellations within 5 business days prior to the class start shall result in no refund, but the fee payment by the attendee may be held over to the next time the course is offered by MCC. A business day consists of the period between 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Thursday, except holidays, when MCC is open for business. Communications received during a business day, but after 4 pm, regarding class attendance shall be considered as being received the next business day when MCC is open for business. MCC may have to cancel a class if paid registrations do not meet the minimum necessary, and MCC will e-mail attendees if such cancellation occurs. Paid fees will be refunded in full if MCC has to cancel the class unless a new date is scheduled within two months, in which case the option of rolling over payments will be offered. Please call the office at 434-977-2926 between Monday and Thursday and between 9 am and 3 pm if you have questions.
