Certificate in Conflict/Dispute Resolution and Mediation
Program Highlights
- Develop In-Demand Skills - Gain expertise in mediation for professional and personal growth.
- Utah Court Approved - Approved training that qualifies you for the Utah Court Roster of Mediators (Basic Roster).
- Earn Your Certificate Fast - Complete in one semester and apply your skills immediately.
- Real-World Application - Engaging speakers offer unique insights and specialized knowledge.
Transform Communication. Resolve Conflict. Lead with Confidence.
Conflict is an unavoidable part of life, but resolving it effectively is a skill that can set you apart.
Whether you’re navigating workplace disputes, interpersonal challenges, or community conflicts, the ability to promote understanding and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes is an invaluable asset.
Develop the confidence and competence to handle conflict effectively, facilitate meaningful dialogue, and achieve lasting resolutions. Enroll today to begin your path toward becoming a skilled mediator and conflict/dispute resolution professional.
About the Program
Our Introduction to Conflict/Dispute Resolution and Mediation Certificate Program is tailored for professionals, students, and community leaders who want to build expertise in resolving disputes and fostering productive dialogue in practical, real-world settings. This program integrates mediation theory, practical skill-building, and hands-on training to equip participants for careers in mediation or to enhance their conflict management abilities within their current roles.
What You'll Learn
- Core principles and techniques of professional mediation.
- Practical strategies for resolving conflicts in personal, workplace, and community settings.
- Communication skills to foster understanding and agreement.
- Tools for addressing ethical challenges and navigating complex negotiations.
- Insight into conflict dynamics and how to turn disputes into opportunities for collaboration.
Who Should Attend
This program is ideal for individuals seeking to enhance their ability to resolve conflicts, improve communication, foster collaboration, and transform the conflict culture within their personal, work, or community environments.
This course has also been approved for credit. Practicing attorneys may apply this course toward their CLE credit for up to a total of 12 credit hours, including 2 Ethics credits, and 1 Professionalism & Civility credit.
Format:
- This class is hybrid, which includes both in-person and synchronous online meetings.
- Meeting format (online vs. in-person) schedule will be discussed in class.
Tuition:
- Each class is $1,600.
- Tuition is due upon registration.
- Textbooks are additional costs.
- Financial aid is not available for this noncredit program. Students are encouraged to inquire with their employers to determine if tuition assistance is available.
- Tuition is subject to change without advance notice from semester to semester.
- may be available through the University of Utah Financial Services.
- This course is not eligible for faculty/staff tuition reduction or emeritus benefits.
Required Courses:
This program is entry-level, with no prerequisites.
- COMMC 505: Introduction to Conflict/Dispute Resolution and Mediation
This course has been qualified by the Utah Court and meets the educational requirement to be listed as a mediator on the Utah Court Roster of Mediators (basic roster).
Program Requirements
To be admitted to the program, students must have completed the following:
Successful participants can pursue future opportunities to build and enhance their skills through short workshops focused on specific issues, ranging from workplace conflict to asking good questions to listening skills.
Completion Requirements
- Students will be required to fulfill the same expectations and requirements as matriculated students including exams, projects and participation.
- Certificate students will receive an “S-Satisfactory” or “U-Unsatisfactory” assessment for each class. “S-Satisfactory” will indicate that the student has met the standards for at least a C-.
- Students must receive an “S-Satisfactory" grade in all classes for successful completion.
Digital Credentials / Badges
The University of Utah and digital badging provider Credly have partnered to provide our students the opportunity to earn and share digital badges. Our new digital badge program is designed to assist our students validate and differentiate their skills and to provide tools to tell their professional story.
Find out more about Digital Badges at the University of Utah »
Next Steps
Completing this training course fulfills the educational requirement for becoming a court rostered mediator. To be placed on the roster students must also complete a short practicum and a state-administered ethics exam. More information on how to complete these requirements is given during the training and can also be found on the website.
Instructor
Michael Ted Thornock (most often know by his two names together “Michael Ted”) has been working at Stowell Crayk PLLC since September 2016. Michael Ted specializes in criminal defense, family law, debt collection, landlord/tenant issues, contracts, immigration, and general civil litigation. Michael Ted is one of the few Spanish speaking mediators in the State of Utah and is listed as a Master Mediator on both the Utah Basic and Divorce Mediation Rosters. He graduated from Creighton University School of Law in 2016 and was admitted to the Utah Bar in October 2016. While in law school, he received the American Board of Trial Advocates Award, given to the top litigation student in the State of Nebraska. As a practicing attorney, he as been recognized as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” for the years 2022 and 2024.
Prior to law school, Michael Ted received two bachelor’s degrees from Brigham Young University in political science and Spanish. He is fluent in Spanish and thoroughly enjoys working with the Spanish-speaking community. Michael Ted has hundreds of hours in the courtroom including jury trials, preliminary hearings, evidentiary hearings, eviction hearings, temporary orders, etc. Michael Ted especially loves trial work and is excellent at evidence and thinking on his feet in order to get the best result for his clients.
Michael Ted also loves mediation and is an active participant in the mediation community, including giving mediation trainings and participation as a board member at Utah Dispute Resolution. Michael is always willing to work hard for his clients and make sure they understand the complex processes involved in navigating a case. Michael Ted tries to make sure his clients feel comfortable, confident, and involved in every step of the process.
Michael Ted was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and went to Highland High School. Michael Ted loves sports, hiking, and spending time with his wife and kids.
Noncredit Certificates Program
Contact Noncredit Certificates Program for general questions about registration status or payment issues.
Taylor Bond
Administrative Program Manager
E-mail: certificates@utah.edu
Online contact form
Department of Communication
Contact the Department of Communication for questions about class experience, qualifications for licensure, future class offerings, or any class-specific information.
Natasha McVaugh Seegert
Director of Conflict Resolution
Phone: 801-581-6889
E-mail: n.seegert@utah.edu
Upcoming Classes
| Class Title | Next Start Date |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Conflict/Dispute Resolution and Mediation | 08/24/2026 |