Mediation and Dispute Resolution Programs in Psychology

In modern times, there is not a single walk of life that is not susceptible to disputes, be it families, companies, communities or even countries across the world. In fact, all of them now rely heavily on skilled mediators to diffuse tensions and to restore semblance of normalcy and collaborative team work.

The discipline of mediation and dispute resolution is now an obvious alternative to resolving disputes since its emergence in 1980s. It draws upon several fields like psychology, law, sociology, political science and public administration. It focuses on brokering mutually beneficial agreements along peaceful lines. It has a broad scope and has proved itself in individual and international contexts from interpersonal disputes to global diplomacy. The key to this discipline is an independent, objective facilitator who is mutually acceptable to all parties and works with them to seek out collaborative solutions agreeable to all.

Institutions offer varied programs in mediation and dispute resolution through campus and online modes spanning Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees along side certifications and diplomas. Field exposure is required. License requirements apply. Specializations include, among others, family mediation, organizational and school conflict, community and urban mediation, Civil and commercial mediation, healthcare conflict resolution and labor relations. Content may span training in negotiation techniques, active listening, conflict management and body language interpretation.

Career prospects are excellent for mediators considering that courts are over-burdened with long queues. Opportunities exist within legal administration, human resources and labor unions to name a few. Salaries are fairly lucrative with median salary at $49,490 as per Bureau of Labor Statistics.

University of Phoenix and Argosy University lead the group of premier institutions offering quality programs. Everest College of Business and South University provide top notch programs customized to individuals. Brown Mackie College focuses on programs transform goals of students into reality.