Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation
Mediation entails a third-party intervention designed to assist parties in managing conflict. Trained mediators are impartial process experts who learn to 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.
Certificate Requirements
The Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation requires 12 credits hours (four courses).
Required Courses
Students must complete the following core course:
- 4262 Mediation
Students must complete at least one of the following two courses (students who take both classes take one elective rather than two; students who take only one class must select two electives):
- 4255 Negotiations and Bargaining
- 4260 Communication and Conflict
Elective Courses
Students choose one or two classes from among the following. If a student has taken 4262/5262 Mediation, 4260/5260 Communication and Conflict, and 4255/5255 Negotiations and Bargaining, he or she takes one elective.
- 3271 Communication and Diversity
- 4015 Communication and Civility
- 4140 Argumentation
- 4681 Communication Issues in Trial Court Practices and Processes
- 4710 Managing Difficult Dialogues
- 4240 Organizational Communication
Students may be allowed to take courses other than those on this list to fulfill the requirements for the Certificate if those courses fit their professional goals better. Requests for approval for different courses should be made in writing to Larry Erbert, Plaza 102-D. Requests will be reviewed by Larry Erbert and the chair of the Communication Department. Requests should include an explanation of the relevance of the course(s) to be substituted to the student’s professional goals and the Certificate. Such courses must be taught in the Communication Department at the University of Colorado Denver. Only one course may be substituted.
Grade and Residency Requirements
A grade of B must be earned in each course completed as part of the Certificate (a grade of B- is not acceptable). All of the credit hours for the Certificate must be earned at the University of Colorado at Denver.
Application Procedures
Students should apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation only after the completion of the required courses. To apply, students must complete the "Application Form: Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation." The form should be returned to Professor Larry Erbert. Once the certificate is processed, it will be mailed to the student.
Students who are not already enrolled at the University of Colorado Denver also must complete an "Application for Non-Degree Admission." The form should be returned to the Office of Admissions in the Annex of the CU Building located at the corner of 14th and Larimer.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation may be obtained from Professor Larry Erbert, Plaza Building, room 102-D, (303) 556-5858 Larry.Erbert@ucdenver.edu
