Mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices continue to grow in the U.S. and throughout much of the world as preferred alternatives to litigation and violence. Increasingly, the court system recognizes that divorce and child custody disputes are best resolved by parents with the assistance of qualified mediators. The widespread growth of mediation creates the need for the university community to meet the challenge to produce graduates who are well versed in the area. As documentation that graduates are both knowledgeable and practiced in this subject, the Institute of Applied Economics now offers a Certificate in Family Mediation.

A Certificate in Family Mediation is available to students who complete a total of 9 hours comprised of the following three courses:

AECO 4000 - Mediation

This course defines and examines the process of mediation. It explores the history and development of mediation and introduces theories of conflict management. The course also reviews the diverse settings of mediation, such as domestic, commercial, non-profit, employment, and institutional environments. Within each of these settings, significant legal, ethical, professional, cultural, and gender considerations are explored. Students participate in mediation exercises and simulations.

AECO 4420 - Practicum in Mediation and Dispute Resolution

This course provides an opportunity for students to round-out their education in dispute resolution through participation in numerous exercises, simulations, and actual mediations and/or other forms of alternative dispute resolution. PREREQUISITE: AECO 4000.

AECO 4010 – Family Mediation

This course covers mediation as a method for handling the issues that arise in divorce or separation, as a family life skill, and as a method for maintaining intact families. A background in family law is not presumed, and basic Texas family law is covered. PREREQUISITE: AECO 4000.

Upon completion of these three courses, the student must submit a written request to the Institute of Applied Economics, for issuance of a Certificate in Family Mediation.

Request forms are available in Chilton Hall, Room 263, or over the Internet at 

http://www.unt.edu/aeco/adrstudies/certificates.htm

NOTE: No notation of the Certificate in Family Mediation will appear on your official transcript. In order to receive transcript documentation, you must fulfill the requirements for the Interdisciplinary Minor in ADR.

Student Advising

The Mediation Advisor is William McKee, Ph.D., Professor of Applied Economics. Dr. McKee’s areas of expertise are labor economics and methods of alternative dispute resolution. Dr. McKee is a nationally recognized arbitrator/mediator and is responsible for the development and implementation of UNT’s ADR interdisciplinary minor. He has held appointments at the Brookings Institution and George Washington University. The above courses will be taught or supervised by Dr. McKee.