Recent News

March 17, 2006

Enrollment exceeds goal for Capital’s mediation, dispute resolution certificate program

Enrollment in a new certificate program offered through Capital University Law School's Center for Dispute Resolution has surpassed the first-year goal and is on target to exceed the target for year two.

Twenty-five adult learners enrolled in the mediation and dispute resolution certificate program which was launched in fall 2005 with the goal of enrolling fifteen students in the first year and thirty in the second. So far, numbers are on track to reach about forty for the second year.
 
Students represented a wide variety of professional backgrounds, including business owners and executives; consultants, counselors; community advocates; paralegals and attorneys; clergy; trainers and facilitators; teachers and administrators; nurses and healthcare professionals; financial leaders; and several from state agencies.
 
Regardless of their background, their goal seems to be the same: To find a satisfying new career serving people and solving problems, according to Jim Hatch, program director.
 
"We're very pleased with the initial response from the general business community," Hatch said. "It appears that the concept of earning a certificate in either mediation or dispute resolution appeals to different people from different backgrounds."

Capital's mediation and dispute resolution certificate program combines skills training, law classes, research, clinical experiences and an externship. It is the only comprehensive program to offer a certificate in Ohio, and one of only a few nationwide to offer a certificate in dispute resolution.
 
"The program prepares people to address conflicts that often consume valuable time and resources from organizations and teaches employees to be effective problem solvers," Center for Dispute Resolution co-director Terry Wheeler said. "In this program, students can build a base of practical experience while learning the theory behind the practice in the law classes we incorporate."
 
Grants from the Nationwide Insurance Foundation, the Columbus Bar Association and the Columbus Bar Foundation support generous scholarship opportunities. Students can create a flexible schedule with evening classes during the fall and spring semesters or intensive one-week classes in the summer.
 
The Law School's involvement in mediation and dispute resolution began in 1970 when it began working with local law enforcement to create one of the first mediation programs in the country.
 
For more information, please call 614/236.6402 or 614/236.7305.