Mediation and arbitration are popular forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), developed as a means of settling disputes outside the courtroom. Conflict management and dispute resolution offer skill sets that have just begun to be tapped in virtually every career in our society.
DCCCD’s certificate program in Conflict Management provides a working knowledge vital to the resolution of disputes through arbitration, negotiation, mediation, facilitation and other approaches. There are options for students wanting to focus on particular aspects of conflict management such as domestic relations, the workplace, ethical issues, organizational and community issues, or more advanced understandings of mediation or negotiation.
Opportunities for good conflict managers exist in both the private and public sectors, in labor and employment disputes, public policy, legal actions, health care, education, religion and human resources departments. Many companies have conflict specialists on staff, such as ombudspeople and process consultants, or have an outsource arrangement with a conflict management provider.
Even if your job description doesn’t currently include conflict resolution and dispute management skills, you can enhance your ability to be hired and promoted by knowing how to effectively use them. Many people take our courses simply to improve their interpersonal relationships both at work and at home.
Conflict Management Specialist Certificate
El Centro College and North Lake College both offer programs in Conflict Management, with courses that not only count toward a certificate for college credit but also can be taken as continuing education classes or to fulfill state-mandated education for mediators or continuing education or certificate requirements for professional organizations.
Both El Centro and North Lake colleges offer a Conflict Management Specialist certificate.
Conflict Management Credentials and State Requirements
It is important to note that there is no licensure or official certification process for mediators in the state of Texas. However, various organizations, agencies and institutions may grant credentials or institutional certificates in mediation or alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
The Texas Mediator Credentialing Association (TMCA) has established criteria for granting various levels of credentials; it is a voluntary organization open to attorneys and other professionals. The organization was formed as a response to the Texas Supreme Court’s desire for better-quality mediators in the state.
To mediate court-appointed cases, the state of Texas does require a minimum of 40 classroom hours of training for individuals, with 24 additional classroom hours required to mediate cases involving the parent-child relationship, usually in divorces. Courses meeting these requirements conform to the standards set by the Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable.
Two of our courses, Introduction to Mediation and Introduction to Divorce Mediation, satisfy the required minimum 40 hours to mediate in the state of Texas (each course actually provides 48 classroom hours).
Other Degree and Certificate Options
The Dallas County Community College District offers nearly 350 career and technical degrees and certificates, plus 36 academic degrees. For more information, see a chart of our degree plans by location or visit our credit programs home page.