Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation
Mediation is an area of knowledge and skills concerned with the communication processes involved in helping others solve their conflicts in mutually beneficial ways. The area of mediation through communication provides opportunities for the development of communication skills and knowledge by professionals in public, legal, political, governmental, corporate, and not-for-profit contexts.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation is designed for undergraduate Communication majors and others outside the major who desire to enter the field of alternative dispute resolution with the skills, knowledge and abilities to aid others in the production management or resolution of their conflicts. It is also useful for non-degree-seeking working professionals without bachelor’s degrees who plan to enter or reenter the workplace and who want to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to market themselves as mediation specialists. Courses taken for the Mediation Certificate will provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge and experience in the art and science of mediation.
Certificate Requirements
The Undergraduate Certificate in Mediation requires 12 credits hours (four courses).
Required Courses
Students must complete the following core course:
- CMMU 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):
- CMMU 4255 Negotiations and Bargaining
- CMMU 4260 Communication and Conflict
Elective Courses
Students choose one or two classes from among the following. If a student has taken CMMU 4262/5262 Mediation, CMMU 4260/5260 Communication and Conflict, and CMMU 4255/5255 Negotiations and Bargaining, he or she takes one elective.
- CMMU 3271 Communication and Diversity
- CMMU 4015 Communication and Civility
- CMMU 4140 Argumentation
- CMMU 4151 Group Communication
- CMMU 4215 Ethics in Communication
- CMMU 4681 Communication Issues in Trial Court Practices and Processes
- CMMU 4710 Managing Difficult Dialogues
- CMMU 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.
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
