Frequently Asked Questions

Education

How are your courses offered?

Students may take any course (1) completely online through the MwB virtual campus or (2) in a live 3-day classroom style combined with distance learning.

How are hybrid courses conducted?

• Hybrid courses offer a mixture of distance and live classroom experience
• Students are issued a manual via mail or download
• Two assignments are selected among 4 that are available within the manual
• Assignments are submitted electronically to an instructor
• Students attend a 3-day intensive class where they will apply skills learned through distance materials
• Three day intensives are offered through MwB clinics. Find a clinic near you.

When can I start the course?

Anytime you choose! Our courses are all open enrollment. You can register and start a course as soon as you are ready. Click here to register now. (On ground courses are offered intermittently)

How long does it take to complete a course?

• Each course is offered entirely online or as a hybrid class.
• You can start and finish any program of study at your own pace.
• When you register for a course or program, you have 180 days (6 months) to complete the course.
• If you need more time, a 6-month extension is available for a fee of $199.

How many hours will it take each week to complete?

• On average, students will spend between 60-80 hours per course to successfully complete one course.
• Each course contains 8 units, each unit will take between 7-10 hours to complete.
• This time frame includes required text reading and assignments.

Who will be my instructor?

• Each student is paired with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction.
• The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance.
• All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

Do I have to buy additional materials?

Yes, there are required texts for each course listed in the shopping cart. Students are responsible for purchasing these texts at the bookseller of their choice.

Can I get financial aid?

Non-credit courses do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay qualified students to take our courses. MwB courses qualify for Workforce Colorado funds.

What happens when I complete the course?

• Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion for each course from Mediators without Borders.
• Upon successful completion of the entire program and internship, you will receive designation as both an MwB Certified Mediator and an MwB Certified Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist.
• You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded these certificates.

Will these courses prepare me to mediate?

• Yes, MwB created the first of its kind graduate certificate program in Mediation and ADR to offer students a more comprehensive educational program than was currently offered through many smaller private training companies
• Coupled with the teleconference role plays through Mediators without Borders International Society, students are well-prepared to begin mediating disputes
• MwB recommends any new student hire an experienced mediator to consult on the first few cases and review any mediation contracts the new student might prepare.
• MwB offers reduced fee consultation for all our students through our experienced practitioner faculty

Are there any prerequisites for this program?

• Mediation may be one of the only professions still open to any student regardless of educational background
• Because the courses are created at a graduate level, we recommend interested students be able to read and write at the college level
• However, you do not need to have a college degree to enroll in the program
• In most cases, anyone can practice ADR and mediation if the cases are not court mandated

Are there any internship or externships available for this program?

• Continuing education internships hours and practice are available now through Mediators without Borders professional association
• Course tuition includes membership in the MwB internship program for a period of 6 months
• This internship is available via the MwB online learning environments that include certification hours, networking opportunities, mini-seminars in building a practice, access to professional insurance, and a growing list of many other professional services

Are these courses approved for continuing education credits?

• MwB is an approved HRCI provider
• Each individual course qualifies for 45 HRCI recertification credits
• Each course qualifies for 45 general and 7 ethics continuing legal credits in Colorado and states with Colorado reciprocity
• Courses may also be submitted for credit through the Project Management Institute

What does “MwB Certified” mean?

• MwB Certified certifies that you have taken the MwB comprehensive education in Mediation and ADR
• It also certifies that you have completed a comprehensive internship that provides you with additional hours and experience many employers require
• Is this program recognized by all US states and in other countries?
• The Mediators without Borders ADR program offers one of the most comprehensive certificate programs with over 180 hours of education
• In addition, MwB offers all students practice hours through MwB (there are additional fees for this service)
• Many states require certain standards for training and education, especially for cases that are mandated by the courts
• Students are responsible for contacting the jurisdictions within which they plan to practice to find out what specific requirements may be mandated or suggested in that locale
• This is true also of students who wish to practice outside of the United States
• gain, most mediator training that is mandated is associated with court cases and lists of mediators that a court keeps on file

Are there any state or national exams for mediators?

• The practice of mediation and ADR is not regulated by any national agency
• Many states require certain standards for training and education, especially for cases that are mandated by the courts
• These court mandated cases tend to be for Divorce and family disputes and other civil cases
• ACR (Association for Conflict Resolution) is a national association that “approves” training programs but does not normally involve itself in more rigorous education programs such as the IADR online education
• The generally accepted minimum requirement for training is a 40-hour onsite training
• The MwB CORE Mediation training online coupled with MwB practice far exceeds this minimum 40-hour requirement

Are there any additional materials that add value to this program? YES!

• Each course has an 8 unit course content manual that may be downloaded online
• Each student enrolled in a course has free access to the student level membership in MEDIATORS WITHOUT BORDERS (MwB)
• MwB offers teleconference role plays free of charge to all members and active students
• Role plays may be counted toward continuing education hours in most jurisdictions around the US
• MwB faculty are available for a reduced fee for professional consultation after students graduate from the program
• Once coursework is completed, students may continue membership in MwB for a yearly fee
• MwB also offers access to affordable professional insurance

How can I get more information?

If you have questions not answered on our website, please feel free to send us a question using the “Ask a question” button below. You may also call us at 1-877-BOULDER.

Technical Requirements

What kind of support will I get during my online learning?

Your instructor will act as a mentor during your enrollment, answering questions about the field and the course materials. Your instructor will direct technical questions to our MwB campus support staff.

What do I have to have in order to take an online course and what are the system requirements?

In order to take our online courses, you must have access to a computer and the Internet (a normal dial-up connection is fine). You can access the course contents from any web-enabled computer. There are no necessary plug-ins. You do not have to use the same computer to login to the course every time. You must have the Microsoft word processing program and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

Can this course be taken on a Mac?

Yes; however, some Mac browsers are more effective than others are. We recommend you use the browser Safari to access these courses. Mac students who encounter difficulties with their browsers have the option of having lectures provided in word documents.

Please note that you must submit assignments in Microsoft word processing, which is readily available for any Mac users from Microsoft or Apple Companies or your local computer store.

What are the advantages of online learning?

There are several key advantages to learning online:

• Greater Accessibility: You can participate in our online courses anywhere you have access to the internet.
• Ease and Convenience: You can access the courses anytime of the day or night.
• Time Savings: You will save time you would have spent commuting to a live classroom.
• Increased Communication: You will be able to communicate and interact with students from all over the nation and the world.
• Faculty Time: You will have greater access to your instructor who will be available at convenient times and will respond quickly via email.

Can I be successful learning online?

Yes, you can! The MwB campus is easy to navigate and you are able to print all course materials if you prefer to read the materials off-line. Please visit our Tips for Online Success.
What does it take to succeed?

Distance learning takes motivation, self-discipline and commitment to set aside time for regular periods of study. The best online learners have these qualities combined with an appreciation of being able to log on to class at times that are convenient for them.

How can I get more information?

If you have questions not answered on our website, please feel free to send us a question using the “Ask a question” button below. You may also call us at 1-877-BOULDER.

Career Information

What is the outlook for a career as a mediator?

• US News and World Report lists Mediation as a Best Careers in 2009. They state: “Most mediators love their work, helping people beat their swords into plowshares.”
• “Mediators must embrace marketing by establishing a niche market” (MwB offers specialty training to meet this need)
• “Success may be more likely in a slow economy as people and businesses seek lower-cost alternatives to attorneys to solve their disputes.”
• “Mediation can be a win-win career for both you and your clients.”
• Increasingly, firms and organizations that use ADR in their internal and external conflicts recognize and value employees with ADR competence.

How much do Mediators and ADR Specialist earn?

• According to US News the median income for a mediator is around $60,000 a year
• Hourly fees for mediators and ADR specialists vary according to specialization from $50 to $450
• Construction mediators and ADR specialists tend to command the highest pay due to the high costs involved in construction disputes
• Divorce and family mediators tend to make from $150 to $250 per hour depending on training
• Finding a niche and building a strong referral network and specialty reputation are ways to increase earnings

Can a certificate in ADR help me find employment?

• ADR skills can make you more valuable and more marketable to your current employer or potential employers.
• Those individuals trained in ADR use their knowledge and skills in conflict management in a variety of careers that require dealing with human interaction.
• Employment opportunities can be enhanced in the fields of mediation, arbitration, health administration, business and human resource management, industrial relations, administration of justice, international relations, education administration, law enforcement, and insurance agents, to name a few.

Is ADR a known skill and profession in the workplace?

According to a Cornell University study, 80 percent of large employers nationwide operate internal alternative dispute resolution programs.

• A number of other sources report that ADR will be among the fastest-growing professions in the early decades of this century.
• All United States federal departments and many state agencies are required to offer ADR options.
• Increasingly, firms and organizations that use ADR in their internal and external conflicts recognize and value employees with ADR competence.
  

What career paths will this program prepare me for?

• People who practice ADR come from professions in all types of fields, including banking, construction, counseling, education, emergency administration, government and the ministry.
• Student careers vary greatly according to what they want to do with their ADR education.
• Most students take the course as a way to advance in their current employment or sharpen their resume skills and their careers are largely business/workplace oriented. Careers include:
  • Workplace Managers
  • Teachers
  • Healthcare professionals
  • Construction Professionals, including realtors
  • Small business owners
  • Business executives
  • MBA and Social Work Graduate students
  • Military personnel
  • Government personnel
  • Social agency workers
  • Project Managers
  • Insurance professionals
  • Law enforcement professionals

I want to set up a private practice as a mediator and ADR specialist. What are my chances for success?

• Most students looking to set up private practices are practicing attorneys, mental health practitioners, coaches, retired business professionals in many business careers, or business consultant professionals who are adding ADR to their current list of services
• It can take anywhere between 3-5 years to set up a thriving practice.
• Success as a private practitioner depends on an excellent education as well as entrepreneurial skills, good business planning, networking skills, and a confident, determined personality
• Look to set up a niche specialty and network around this area
• MwB faculty are available to provide consultation for those looking to open private practices

Does this profession allow me the freedom of working from home?

• Yes, there is a growing need for dispute resolution professionals who conduct mediation and arbitration via the internet and by phone consultation
• Many professionals offer both online, phone, and in-person sessions for their clients
• Many professionals also use “virtual offices” where they can book clients as needed. Larger virtual office companies may offer a network of offices you can access around the United States

What will this program allow me to do?

This program will prepare you to be a professional mediator. In almost all states, this program will prepare you to practice as a professional arbitrator (if you take the advanced Arbitration course).

How do most of your graduates use this professional education?

Most of our graduates use this education to advanced within their profession or enhance their resume. A smaller number use this education to set up a private mediation or arbitration practice. This latter group must possess entrepreneurial skills and be prepared to take from 3-5 years to make a solid living as a mediator or arbitrator.

Do you have to be an attorney to mediate?

Mediation is not an exclusive profession. You do not have to be an attorney to mediate. In most jurisdictions, arbitration is also not exclusive to attorneys.

How can I get more information?

If you have questions not answered on our website, please feel free to send us a question using the “Ask a question” button below. You may also call us at 1-877-BOULDER.