Divorce Mediation Training Professional Development Program

Divorce Mediation has become an increasingly respected and proven means for helping couples work through difficult decisions amicably in order for them to move ahead with a divorce.

This intensive five-day course provides students with the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to assist couples who are separated or divorcing in reaching an agreement on issues such as child custody and parenting plans, asset and debt distribution and alimony and child support. Divorce mediation training prepares students to fulfill an important role in family law under the tutelage of experts in the field. Guest lecturers have included a Domestic Relations judge, a divorce Financial Planner, and a court-annexed Mediation Administrator.

This program has been approved by the Association for Conflict Resolution - Family Section and is accepted by local courts for family mediation rosters.

Program Audience

The program is designed for people interested in a professional mediation career, or for those interested in the specific skill-set of a divorce mediator.

Learning Goals

Program courses deal with the following subjects:

• Strategic mediation skills to help couples make decisions
• The court perspective on divorce, alimony, and property division
• How emotions and decisions affect the couple and children in a separation and divorce
• Effective techniques to deal with an impasse
• How to recognize and deal with power imbalances
• Ethical concerns of the mediator
• Substantive knowledge that a mediator must know in order to effectively mediate separation and divorce issues
• Divorce mediation opportunities in Illinois and how to start building a practice

Certificate Requirements

Students who successfully complete this 40-hour course will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University's School of Continuing Studies.

Continuing Education Credits

This program is co-sponsored by the Illinois Mental Health Counselors Association. The IMHCA is licensed by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation to provide 40 CE's for LSWs, LCSWs, LPCs, LCPCs, and LMFTs.

This course or activity was approved for a Total of 40 General MCLE Credits by the Illinois MCLE Board. Of that total, 6 Credits were approved as Professional Responsibility Credits by the Illinois Commission on Professionalism.

The Divorce Mediation Skills Training Program as approved under Part 146 by the New York State Unified Court System's Office of ADR Programs. Final placement on any court roster is at the discretion of the local Administrative Judge and participation in a course that is either approved or pending approval does not guarantee placement on a local court roster.

Furthermore, as the Divorce Mediation Skills Training Program covers Illinois-specific divorce laws and court procedures, those who intend to mediate in New York that additional training in New York court-specific rules and procedures and relevant New York law may be necessary.

You may also earn continuing education credits for other jurisdictions.  We will be able to complete any documents you require, but you will need to pay the fees for the credits which may range from free to over $100.  You may wish to review the MCLE website and find your jurisdiction in advance.  If you have any questions, please email or call us at 312-503-1642.

For other programs at Northwestern regarding mediation, interested students can acquire a certificate in Mediation Skills, or attend the Summer Institute in Negotiation workshop.

Registration

Registration for courses is easy and can be completed entirely online. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Please follow this link to make a course selection and register for the course, or courses, that you wish to take.

Locations

This course is offered on our Loop campus at 210 S. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60611

Northwestern Excellence

• Northwestern University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
• School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
• SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
• SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.

Course Information

Registration information and detailed course descriptions can be found on the Divorce Mediation Training course listings page. Note: Courses, prices and schedules are subject to change.

Divorce Mediation courses are offered at 210 S. Clark Street location, conveniently located in Chicago's Loop.

Contact Us

If you would like to speak with someone to get more information about a program or course, give us a call or email us today!

Call: 312-503-0714
Email: pdp@northwestern.edu

Office Hours

• Our office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
• If you call us and reach our voice mail, please leave a detailed message.
• We try to return phone calls within the same business day.
• You may wish to leave a best time to contact you.
• You can also email us and we will respond within 1 business day or less.