Professional Development Mediation Training Online
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT / ONLINE MEDIATION TRAINING
Build stronger conflict-resolution skills. Put them to work.
Learn the foundations of mediation through VirNet's flexible, 40-hour online course. Develop practical skills in communication, negotiation, neutrality, and facilitated problem-solving—on your schedule.
Designed for working professionals, aspiring mediators, and people who regularly navigate difficult conversations.
A certificate of completion documents VirNet coursework. Court-roster eligibility, licensing, and third-party recognition depend on the applicable jurisdiction or organization.
A PRACTICAL SKILL SET
For professionals who work with people, decisions, and conflict.
Mediation skills extend beyond formal dispute resolution. This training provides a structured approach to listening, facilitating difficult conversations, and helping people consider workable options.
Attorneys and aspiring mediators
Build familiarity with mediation structure, professional boundaries, negotiation, and the transition from advocacy to facilitation.
HR, managers, and workplace leaders
Practice responding to interpersonal tensions, reframing disagreements, and guiding conversations without taking over decisions.
Educators, counselors, and community professionals
Strengthen listening, neutrality, communication, and collaborative problem-solving across challenging human situations.
One course. Three levels of support.
Every option includes the same 40-hour foundational curriculum. Select the amount of personal feedback and mentoring that aligns with your learning style and goals.
Self-Directed
Full course access with independent study
$775
Complete the 10-module program on your schedule with lessons, assessments, practical simulations, and downloadable course resources. Individualized instructor grading or coaching is not included.
View course & enroll →Instructor-Guided
Personal feedback throughout the course
$1,475
Everything in Self-Directed, plus individualized review and feedback from Dr. Earwicker on two assignments in each of the 10 modules.
View course & enroll →Private Coaching
Instructor feedback plus five private sessions
$3,275
Everything in Instructor-Guided, plus five one-on-one sessions with Dr. Earwicker to discuss your technique, professional goals, and growth as a mediator.
View course & enroll →Select a training option to review the full course details, current tuition, and enrollment instructions. Any applicable promotion will be displayed on the course enrollment page.
LEARN / PRACTICE / REFLECT
More than lectures. A chance to practice the work.
VirNet combines concise instruction with practical application. Across ten modules, learners build their skills through video lessons, outlines, quizzes, reflections, and AI-assisted role-play scenarios.
Learn the mediation process
Explore mediator ethics and neutrality, listening and reframing, interest-based negotiation, challenging dynamics, and agreements.
Work through realistic scenarios
Take the mediator role in increasingly complex simulated disputes, then reflect on your questions, interventions, and choices.
Study on your schedule
Access the on-demand course without attending a fixed weekly class. Progress through the required activities at a pace that works for you.
Decide how much feedback you want
Self-Directed learners work independently; Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching add individualized feedback, with coaching sessions in the highest tier.
Learn from the mediator who built the course.
Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker brings together hands-on mediation, civil rights and organizational dispute resolution, and years of teaching negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. All three enrollment paths share his 40-hour curriculum; the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching options add individualized instruction.
Explore Dr. Earwicker's professional background →40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Instructor-Guided
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Self-Directed
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Private Coaching
Let's discuss your training goals.
Whether you are comparing the three course pathways or exploring how the training fits a particular role, we can explain the program and point you toward the questions to ask your local court or credentialing authority.
For a useful response, share your state, intended practice setting, and any specific training requirements you've been given.
General VirNet contact page →Ask about the 40-hour course
Have a question about learning format, guidance options, or state-specific needs? Our training inquiry form is available directly below this section.
For enrollment questions, include your city/state, intended mediation role, and the option you are considering.
40-HOUR MEDIATION TRAINING | PROGRESS SAVED
Your course inquiry is saved.
You can return to complete your questions when you're ready.
Use the unique resume link provided below, or request that the link be emailed to you. Keep it private so others cannot access your saved answers.
Your inquiry has not yet been submitted to VirNet.
The resume link expires 30 days after saving; WPForms removes the saved entry after expiration.
COMMON QUESTIONS
A few things to know before you enroll.
Is the course fully online and self-paced?
Yes. The foundational course is available online and on demand. You can complete lessons and practice exercises on your schedule, subject to the course's completion requirements.
Do I need a law degree or mediation experience?
No. The curriculum is designed to introduce mediation principles to people from many professional backgrounds, including law, HR, education, counseling, business, and community work.
Will I receive personal instructor feedback?
That depends on your enrollment tier. Self-Directed does not include individualized instructor grading or coaching. Instructor-Guided includes feedback on two assignments in each module; Private Coaching adds five one-on-one sessions.
Does the certificate qualify me for court mediation or state certification?
Not automatically. Court programs, employers, professional associations, and state credentialing bodies set their own requirements. Some require approved live instruction, observations, supervised mediations, experience, or other credentials. Verify those standards with the relevant organization before purchasing.
Where can I review the full curriculum and student feedback?
The main 40-hour training page includes a fuller curriculum overview, course options, instructor information, and extensive student testimonials.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Put mediation skills into your professional toolkit.
Compare the three training options, explore the full curriculum, or ask us how the program fits your goals.
Start building your mediation skills.
One 40-hour curriculum, three ways to learn, and a practical focus on the conversations mediators actually navigate. Choose your preferred level of support and review the course before enrolling.
New Jersey 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
New Jersey 40-Hour Mediation Training. Build skills. Understand your pathway.
Develop foundational mediation skills with VirNet's flexible, on-demand 40-hour program. Learn a structured process for difficult conversations, negotiation, neutrality, ethics, and practical conflict resolution through ten progressive modules.
New Jersey maintains different training and qualification requirements for court-connected civil, family, and volunteer mediation. VirNet's self-paced program offers foundational education; it is not represented as an approved New Jersey Judiciary roster-training course.
If court roster service is your goal, confirm acceptance of the particular program and delivery format with the New Jersey Judiciary before enrolling.
What does 40-hour mediation training mean in New Jersey?
The number of training hours is only one part of the answer. The intended role, course approval, supervised experience, and other qualifications can matter as much as the length of the curriculum.
Build mediation and conflict skills
Professionals working in law, business, education, human resources, community settings, and private consulting can benefit from structured instruction in negotiation, listening, reframing, neutrality, and problem-solving.
Verify program approval and qualifications
Court roster applications involve program-specific approved training and additional criteria. VirNet does not promise that its self-paced certificate will satisfy New Jersey court roster admission.
Plan beyond a completion certificate
Private mediation practice calls for competent preparation, ethical safeguards, appropriate experience, and state-specific legal knowledge. Some mediation services may also require professional licensure, institutional approval, or specialization.
A VirNet course-completion certificate documents work completed in VirNet's curriculum. It is not a New Jersey Judiciary roster approval, a guarantee of court appointment, or a state-issued professional license.
One course. Three levels of support.
Every option includes the same 40-hour foundational curriculum. Select the amount of personal feedback and mentoring that aligns with your learning style and goals.
Self-Directed
Full course access with independent study
$775
Complete the 10-module program on your schedule with lessons, assessments, practical simulations, and downloadable course resources. Individualized instructor grading or coaching is not included.
View course & enroll →Instructor-Guided
Personal feedback throughout the course
$1,475
Everything in Self-Directed, plus individualized review and feedback from Dr. Earwicker on two assignments in each of the 10 modules.
View course & enroll →Private Coaching
Instructor feedback plus five private sessions
$3,275
Everything in Instructor-Guided, plus five one-on-one sessions with Dr. Earwicker to discuss your technique, professional goals, and growth as a mediator.
View course & enroll →Select a training option to review the full course details, current tuition, and enrollment instructions. Any applicable promotion will be displayed on the course enrollment page.
The flexibility of online learning, with opportunities to actually mediate.
Moving through this course is more than watching videos. Structured instruction, knowledge checks, realistic simulations, and reflection activities help connect mediation concepts to concrete decisions and conversations.
You can work through the self-paced curriculum wherever you have reliable internet access. If you select guided instruction or coaching, the program also incorporates individualized feedback and mentorship as described in your enrollment tier.
Inside the course
- Video lessons explaining mediation principles and practical techniques
- Readings, downloadable outlines, and supplemental learning resources
- Quizzes and exercises to reinforce each topic
- Interactive, AI-assisted practice conversations
- Reflection and application assignments
- A final evaluation and certificate process after completing required coursework
What you will learn to do.
Good mediation is both a thoughtful process and a set of skills that improve with practice. The curriculum develops these capabilities together.
Listen beyond positions
Identify emotions, interests, assumptions, and information gaps without prematurely choosing sides.
Guide a clear process
Practice introductions, issue identification, negotiation, impasse management, and appropriate closure.
Respond to challenging dynamics
Work thoughtfully with frustration, power differences, difficult conversations, and cultural context.
Develop practical options
Support brainstorming, evaluation of proposals, and careful agreement development.
Build professional habits
Explore ethics, neutrality, preparation, boundaries, and pathways for continuing mediator development.
A comprehensive introduction to the practice of mediation.
The course progresses from foundational ideas to more complex simulations and professional applications. These five learning areas summarize the content across the ten course modules; they are not separate enrollment products.
Foundations and the mediator role
The purposes, principles, ethics, and major approaches of mediation.
Communication and negotiation
Listening, reframing, empathy, interest-based bargaining, and productive questioning.
Difficult situations and power
Impasse, strong emotions, de-escalation, cultural responsiveness, and participant safeguards.
Structure, agreements, and practice
Stages of a mediation, option development, drafting, and realistic simulations.
Professional pathways
Online dispute resolution, professional boundaries, practice planning, and ongoing development.
Want to inspect the actual lessons? Each course page includes a curriculum view and course details before enrollment.
View the existing course curriculum →Four settings. Different entry requirements.
New Jersey's Complementary Dispute Resolution rules distinguish who can serve in particular court-connected mediation programs. These requirements are separate from the educational value of a general introductory mediation course.
Civil, General Equity, and Probate roster
The Judiciary's civil roster application calls for a 40-hour approved mediation course, at least a bachelor's degree, five years of relevant professional experience, and documented recent mediation experience, subject to applicable exceptions. It also requires five hours of approved mentoring in at least two cases.
Students trained outside New Jersey or whose qualifying training is older than five years may need the separate six-hour supplemental civil mediation course. The underlying basic training still must be acceptable for roster purposes.
Family economic mediation roster
The family economic roster application specifies 40 hours of approved divorce mediation training, plus significant professional qualifications. Attorneys generally must meet New Jersey bar, experience, and matrimonial-practice criteria; qualified nonattorneys have separate advanced-degree and experience routes.
Family roster mentoring generally involves at least two cases and five hours with an approved mentor following conditional approval. Specialized domestic-violence economic mediation requires additional authorized training.
Special Civil Part and municipal volunteers
New Jersey court rules describe an 18-hour basic mediation skills pathway for certain volunteer mediators in the Special Civil Part and municipal courts. This is not the same as admission to the Civil, General Equity, and Probate roster.
Confirm current program availability, the authorized training provider, and any additional local onboarding requirements before choosing a course.
Custody, parenting-time, and other private mediation
Custody and parenting-time mediation in the Judiciary has distinct behavioral-science, training, and supervised-clinical-experience standards, with additional provisions governing authorized court staff. Meanwhile, parties may sometimes select a private mediator who is not on the civil roster; that does not make the person a Judiciary-approved roster mediator.
A general 40-hour course is not a substitute for specialized family, court staff, or custody/parenting-time qualifications.
A 40-hour certificate and roster eligibility are different things.
For Judiciary roster work, prospective mediators must assess the approval of the exact training program, the format and practice components required by Rule 1:40-12, and their own professional and mentoring qualifications.
Check the exact program
New Jersey specifies approved civil and family training pathways. A course labeled '40-hour mediation training' does not automatically meet Rule 1:40-12. Confirm whether the particular course, delivery format, observation, role-play, and subject matter satisfy the roster you intend to join.
Review civil roster criteriaMeet the separate credentials
Approved training alone does not complete an application. Civil applicants normally need qualifying experience and at least two mentored matters totaling five hours. Family economic applicants face specialized professional and mentoring standards; court approval is not guaranteed.
Review family economic roster criteriaUnderstand additional hours
Certain civil applicants trained out of state or more than five years earlier must complete a six-hour New Jersey supplemental civil course. Approved roster mediators generally also have a four-hour annual continuing mediator education obligation.
Review Judiciary Civil CDR Resource BookVirNet's on-demand format, including interactive AI-assisted exercises, is not represented as satisfying the live supervision, course approval, observation, or mentoring provisions applicable to New Jersey rosters. Obtain an individualized determination from the Judiciary before relying on the course for those purposes.
Let's discuss your training goals.
Whether you are comparing the three course pathways or exploring how the training fits a particular role, we can explain the program and point you toward the questions to ask your local court or credentialing authority.
For a useful response, share your state, intended practice setting, and any specific training requirements you've been given.
General VirNet contact page →Ask about the 40-hour course
Have a question about learning format, guidance options, or state-specific needs? Our training inquiry form is available directly below this section.
For enrollment questions, include your city/state, intended mediation role, and the option you are considering.
40-HOUR MEDIATION TRAINING | PROGRESS SAVED
Your course inquiry is saved.
You can return to complete your questions when you're ready.
Use the unique resume link provided below, or request that the link be emailed to you. Keep it private so others cannot access your saved answers.
Your inquiry has not yet been submitted to VirNet.
The resume link expires 30 days after saving; WPForms removes the saved entry after expiration.
Practice difficult conversations before mediating real ones.
Interactive role-play is a distinctive part of the training. Through realistic, AI-assisted scenarios, you take the mediator's role, practice responding in real time, and reflect on the choices you made.
Scenarios increase in complexity as you advance, including workplace, interpersonal, and multifaceted disputes. They give you opportunities to experiment with questions, reframing, neutrality, and ways of moving a conversation forward.
The technology is a learning tool; it is not a substitute for supervised practice or any state-required live training component.
From understanding a technique to trying it.
- Study the skills and frameworks.
- Apply them in an interactive scenario.
- Reflect on what happened and what you would adjust.
- Receive additional instructor feedback if your tier includes it.
Foundational skills matter. Local court rules matter too.
VirNet's national curriculum emphasizes neutrality, self-determination, structured problem-solving, ethics, listening, negotiation and simulated practice. In New Jersey, anyone seeking to work in a Judiciary program must also learn the procedural rules and professional obligations specific to that setting.
New Jersey's Uniform Mediation Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23C-1 et seq., establishes privileges and rules governing mediation communications, with exceptions. Court Rule 1:40-4 also addresses mediation procedure and confidentiality. Those rules should be studied together with Judiciary program requirements and applicable mediator standards.
Family economic mediation can involve particularly sensitive disclosures and safety considerations. Additional domestic-violence-related qualifications may be necessary for designated cases. Court staff custody and parenting-time mediation operates under its own training framework, which was revised in 2025.
Learn from the mediator who built the course.
Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker brings together hands-on mediation, civil rights and organizational dispute resolution, and years of teaching negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. All three enrollment paths share his 40-hour curriculum; the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching options add individualized instruction.
Explore Dr. Earwicker's professional background →40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Instructor-Guided
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Self-Directed
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Private Coaching
Hear from people who completed the training.
Students describe their experiences with the self-paced format, interactive role-play simulations, curriculum progression, and personal feedback. Browse their full comments below to see which aspects of the program mattered most to them.
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee any particular outcome or professional credential.
Overall, this was an excellent 40-hour mediation course—informative, engaging, and filled with helpful resources. I especially appreciate having continued access to the course materials as I develop my mediation practice.
One of the most valuable aspects was the opportunity to create a concrete plan for my practice. Learning what it takes to build a successful mediation practice, then translating those lessons into practical goals and action steps, was particularly beneficial.
Thank you for putting together such a thoughtful and comprehensive course. I look forward to beginning my mediation journey and putting what I learned into practice.
I completed the self-paced course and found it to be effective at communicating large volumes of important information in an efficient manner. I feel that I am leaving the course with the skills I need to mediate complex disputes and navigate common pitfalls.
I really enjoyed this course, even when I wanted 40-hours to actually mean I only had to work for 20 hours! The role plays worked really well, and I was so impressed by the way they were designed so that I had an opportunity to practice the mediation tools that go with each module. My schedule is so hectic that I was concerned about scheduling and completing a course. However, I felt that you designed the course with your feedback to really give me the best opportunities to learn in self-directed mode.
I recently completed Dr. Ben’s 40-hour mediation course and found it to be a genuinely valuable investment in my professional development. I was particularly impressed with how the content was organized and delivered as the structure made it easy to build understanding progressively rather than feeling like a series of disconnected topics.
I completed the course with a clear sense of the recommended path and next steps, which speaks well to how the program is designed to set participants up for what comes after.
Overall, I’d recommend this course to anyone serious about building a foundation in mediation. I finished it feeling genuinely ready to move into the next phase of this process, which is exactly what I was hoping to get out of it.
This course was informative, practical, and incredibly valuable. The realistic role-playing scenarios helped me practice essential mediation skills like active listening, reframing, and identifying interests while learning to manage emotions and difficult conversations. The course strengthened my understanding of the mediation process and gave me greater confidence in helping people feel heard, respected, and empowered to work toward mutually acceptable solutions.
I highly recommend Dr. Earwicker’s 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training. The on-demand, self-paced format made it easy to complete on my own schedule, and the course gave me a strong foundation in mediation as I prepare to begin a new career after age 60. I would recommend it to lawyers, non-lawyers, therapists, or anyone interested in mediation or a new career path.
The course's use of interactive, AI-assisted role-play sessions was a particularly effective teaching
method. Practicing as mediator in realistic, back-and-forth conversations made the material feel applied
rather than abstract, and the communication throughout each session felt genuine and responsive rather
than scripted. This back-and-forth structure gave me the chance to actually practice de-escalation,
reframing, and interest based negotiation in real time, rather than simply reading about them.
Overall, this course was an enlightening and intriguing introduction to the practice of mediation. It was
clearly well put together, with a thoughtful progression that moved from foundational concepts through
increasingly complex, realistic scenarios. Starting with simpler two-party disputes and building toward
multi-party and emotionally charged situations, such as a parenting plan negotiation, gave the material a
natural sense of momentum and allowed each new skill to build on the last rather than being introduced in
isolation.
The written materials in Dr. Earwicker's course were clear and well organized. Concepts were explained in language
that was understandable without being oversimplified, and each sessions objectives were stated plainly
enough that I always knew what skill I was meant to be focusing on and why it mattered to the broader
practice of mediation.
Dr. Earwicker's course gave me valuable tools for handling impasses, teaching how to slow the conversation, identify underlying interests, and reframe rigid positions into solvable issues. The course gave me lots of techniques for reframing negative perspectives, helping transform tension into constructive dialogue.
The course was straightforward and provided the information to understand the mediation process, the dynamics of power, personality types, and cultures encountered in mediations. It provided the tools to move the parties from the opening to the agreement while de-escalating any issues, understanding the parties’ interests, and making sure everyone is properly heard. I can’t wait to get my practice started and put these tools into action. Thank you for the opportunity to obtain my certification!
Thank you for an exceptional mediation course. The course was clear and well-organized, and the materials were practical and relevant. Each assignment was evaluated within a day or two, which helped me stay engaged and motivated as I progressed through the material. The feedback I received was especially helpful—it was always constructive, specific, and thoughtful. It not only clarified key concepts but also gave me practical direction on how to strengthen my skills.
This course surpassed my expectations. Not only did I gain knowledge about all aspects of mediation but I had the opportunity to practice mediation skills as I progressed through the course. Practice was not reading case studies but actually mediating in real-time simulations. This was instrumental in building my confidence as a mediator. Another extraordinary aspect of this course was the personal developmental feedback provided by Dr. Earwicker. His feedback provided developmental actions that I could integrate to grow as a mediator and his availability and openness to questions added even more value. This intentional personal touch resulted in my feeling valued as a learner; I was not just another collected fee passing through an automated system.
The course reinforced the importance of empathy, de-escalation, and structured communication. My background in communication and conflict resolution allowed me to feel confident facilitating difficult conversations, while the simulations helped strengthen my mediation techniques and adaptability. Overall, the experience increased my confidence as a mediator and provided valuable practical experience that I can apply in future mediation practice.
What sets this course apart is that it doesn't just teach you how to run a mediation. It teaches you how to listen at a level most people never reach, to find the shared interest buried underneath a hardened position, and to hold space for two people who are hurting without losing your own footing in the process.
The skills I built here extend far beyond a mediation room. If you are serious about becoming someone who can navigate conflict with confidence, clarity, and compassion, this is exactly where you start.
The curriculum moves you from foundational theory into increasingly complex simulations that force you to apply what you've learned under real pressure. By the time I reached the final scenario, I wasn't just recalling techniques, I was actually using them in the moment, with competing emotions and entrenched positions on both sides of the table.
This course exceeded my expectations in both depth and practical application. The progression from foundational concepts to increasingly complex role-play simulations was well-designed and allowed me to build confidence incrementally rather than feeling thrown into the deep end. The pacing felt intentional, and each simulation built meaningfully on the last.
This program was exceptional! I found each of the 10 Modules more interesting than the previous one. I had no real experience in my law practice as a mediator since I spent my career advocating and litigating on behalf of my injured worker clients in the law firm I helped found.
Your program opened my mind and heart to another way to approach problem solving! I particularly appreciated the methods you used in your introductions to each module before diving into the particulars of each set of lessons. It set a framework in my brain of what to expect, which made it easier to really learn once I began the tutorials. Thank you!
I found the course thorough, well constructed and full of valuable content. I hadn't used AI for anything more than parlor tricks. It really felt like I was carrying on a conversation with other people. In fact I had to remind myself more than once I wasn't.
All-in-all, the course was a positive experience. I feel it will benefit me quite a bit in my mediation practice.
This was not a passive, checkbox course. It was self-paced, highly interactive, and designed for real learning rather than simply earning a certificate. I was able to progress through the material around a demanding schedule, with extensive reference resources available for deeper study. The strong emphasis on individualized feedback made the experience practical, engaging, and genuinely valuable.
This 40-hour mediation training exceeded my expectations in both content and delivery. The course was well-structured, practical, and thoughtfully paced, allowing me to build skills progressively while also having time to reflect and integrate what I was learning. The role-plays, scenarios, and guided reflections helped translate theory into practice and deepened my understanding of interest-based negotiation, mediator neutrality, ethical boundaries, and effective communication techniques. I also appreciated the clear explanations of the mediation process, from intake through closure, and the attention given to drafting durable, balanced agreements.
This Mediation Course was phenomenal; it covered everything. I have no questions after the end of this course; it was very detailed, very professional, and very well explained. Dr. Ben Earwicker was professional and attentive. Thank you so much.
Self-paced learning has been the most valuable part of this course for me. I am able to work through each module, review the mediation prompt, and reflect before beginning the exercise. The self-paced design continues to help me absorb the material, reflect, and apply theory in a deliberate way rather than simply enduring an extended training session.
Dr. Earwicker's certification was a fun, engaging, and highly responsive mediation course that brings real-world skills to life. Practical, interactive, and confidence-building—I’d recommend it to anyone serious about mediation. Thank you, too, for being very quick and responsive. It made the class very relaxing not having to wait long for feedback or help.
The Virtual Mediation program was a great find! The role-play simulations and practical application of mediation skills were the most valuable to me. They helped me better understand how theory translates into real conversations. The course helped me strengthen my active listening, neutrality, and confidence in managing difficult discussions. I found that this course presented a clear structure, realistic scenarios, and opportunities to practice mediator language. Thank you for all of your wonderful feedback and for the opportunity to be a part of this course.
I appreciated how quickly assignments were graded and feedback was given, which helped me build confidence in myself and helped me know what things I could easily improve upon. The videos were engaging, and the amount of work involved was very reasonable. I can tell you put a lot of thoughtful work and effort into this curriculum. Thank you!
This mediation certification course provided me with more information than I realized would even be available. It provided me with real time scenario situations to mediate using the skills I had learned from the videos. What I found most important was the feedback directly from Dr. Earwicker. It wasn’t just cut and paste feedback. It was very specific to my mediation in my reflections
What stood out most to me in your approach was the way you integrated AI into the course. I thought that was ingenious. I’ve taken other mediation courses before and, frankly, many of them felt flat—they simply didn’t translate well into practice. Your use of AI, by contrast, added an immediacy and practicality that made the lessons come alive. It allowed me to apply what you were teaching contemporaneously, which was invaluable.
Ultimately, this course has helped me evolve from a problem-solver to a solution-facilitator, which I believe will make me not only a more effective attorney, but also a better communicator overall.
In this course, I have come to appreciate that mediation is more than simply managing disputes—it is about creating a safe and constructive space where people can be heard, respected, and guided toward resolution. The role-play simulations allowed me to put theory into practice and experience the challenge of balancing neutrality, empathy, and structure while facilitating difficult conversations.
I wasn't sure how an online training would work for this, but am pleasantly surprised at how effective this training was. I appreciate the time and effort you took to create it, as I would not have been able to receive such great training otherwise - my schedule prevented anything in person. Thank you for everything!
As a licensed clinical social worker, I came into this course with a strong foundation in therapeutic communication, emotional attunement, and conflict work. What this course added for me was a more structured framework for mediation—particularly how to remain neutral and process-focused in situations where my clinical instincts might otherwise lead me toward interpretation or problem-solving.
As a recent college grad, online classes have been something that I have oftentimes disliked just because of the difficulty of teaching through online lectures. These lectures bypassed many of my fears as they were incredibly informative and helpful. I enjoyed that the modules were laid out so that the exercises that were assigned made sense with the material we had been learning. I was also very impressed by the chat bot model for the exercises as they were surprisingly realistic.
This was a fantastic course with a variety of teaching modalities and thorough content to prepare me for the world of mediation. I am far more confident in my skills after the AI role-play practices and incorporating Dr. Earwicker's feedback after each assignment. Highly recommend!
As a therapist by trade, I found this course to be exceptionally clear, well-structured, and directly applicable to my clinical and professional work. The material was presented in a way that made complex mediation concepts feel accessible without oversimplifying them, which I truly appreciated. The explanations were thoughtful, grounded, and practical, allowing me to immediately see how the skills translate into real-world situations.
Overall, I truly am impressed with the content of the course, and how it is flowing. I'm so impressed by the course :). Thank you, I look forward to what's left!
Even though I came in with no background in mediation, the course helped me feel well prepared. The ideas about interest-based communication and de-escalation really stuck with me and helped during the role-plays. I now see how these tools can apply not just in mediation, but in everyday situations too.
I like the way this course builds. You provide the information, confirm with quizzes, then allow for use of knowledge – role play. I also enjoy that each role-play has built on the material and itself. It has given me the opportunity to improve including my active listening, open ended questions, reframing, and making sure I stay neutral.
The lectures contained a great deal of depth into a wide range of material, and I appreciated the source references so that I can deepen further into the material. I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking good mediation training.
This class really helped me understand that mediation isn’t just about following a process — it’s about helping people feel heard and safe enough to communicate honestly. The whistleblower role-play between Maya, a senior accountant, and James, the CEO, was intense but realistic, and it gave me a chance to practice staying calm, neutral, and focused when emotions ran high.
This course has become an invaluable toolbox for me—not only in the context of mediating family law disputes, but also in transforming my overall approach to conflict
To be candid, when I began the class, I wasn’t terribly enthused. I thought it might be something I could shortcut my way through. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It required real effort—but I am better for it. Revisiting the fundamentals of the mediation process was refreshing, and I plan to read Getting to Yes because of your recommendation. I see its application not only in mediation, but in negotiation and everyday life.
One of the most eye-opening aspects of this course has been the exploration of implicit and explicit bias. These concepts have challenged me to reflect on my own assumptions and behaviors, and how they may inadvertently affect my interactions with clients, colleagues, and opposing counsel.
This course has become an incredibly enjoyable and enriching experience. Each module builds upon the last, and the tools I’ve gained—especially those related to planning strategies for a successful mediation practice—are proving to be invaluable in both academic and personal contexts. The practical applications of these strategies have started to influence how I approach conflict resolution in my daily life, making me more thoughtful, intentional, and effective in my interactions.
Ultimately, this course is helping me evolve from a culturally aware attorney to a culturally responsive one. It is not enough to be familiar with different cultures; I must also be intentional in how I engage with them.
The inclusion in your program of both the tools needed to be a good mediator (such as active listening, managing emotions, bias and cultural diversity, ethical standards) and then the practical steps to build a mediation practice were invaluable. There were many suggestions that had not occurred to me before I signed up for your program when I was first asked to become a mediator by several judges in my legal community.
I give this course 5 stars out of 5. I appreciate how efficient it was to get the required 40 hour training without having to sit in a hotel conference room for a week, not get paid the whole time, and listen to someone read from slides with random Q&A for the same five participants. The on-demand format was fantastic.
As a therapist, I found this mediation course to be incredibly clear, well-organized, and immediately applicable to my work. The concepts were explained in a way that felt accessible without being simplistic, and the practical examples helped bridge theory and real-world practice. I especially appreciated how the course complemented my clinical skills while offering a distinct mediation framework. Overall, it was a thoughtful, engaging experience that I would highly recommend to other therapists and helping professionals.
Overall, this course significantly strengthened my confidence and competence as a developing mediator. I am well-prepared to apply these skills in professional and community settings, and I highly recommend this training to others seeking a comprehensive and practical mediation education.
A 40-hour training certificate is a foundation, not automatic state certification.
After successfully completing the program's requirements, students may obtain a certificate documenting completion of the 40-hour basic mediation training. What that certificate qualifies you to do depends on the court, program, employer, or jurisdiction.
Some court-connected programs require specific approved providers, live or synchronous instruction, observed exercises, subject-specific training, mentoring, supervised cases, or additional credentials. Private mediation practice and eligibility for a court roster may have different requirements.
Before enrolling for a particular credential, compare the course format with the current requirements of the relevant state, court, or roster administrator. Written confirmation from that authority is preferable when requirements are unclear.
Questions about training, court rosters and New Jersey mediation.
These answers explain how VirNet's self-paced foundational course differs from New Jersey's Judiciary-approved training and mediator-qualification pathways.
Is VirNet approved by the New Jersey Judiciary as a mediation roster-training provider?
VirNet offers a 40-hour, self-paced foundational mediation education program. We do not represent this course as a New Jersey Judiciary-approved civil, family, or volunteer mediator roster-training program. Confirm program approval directly with the Judiciary before using a course for an application.
Will completing VirNet's 40-hour course place me on a New Jersey court mediator roster?
No. A course-completion certificate alone does not confer court approval. Different rosters have their own approved-training, education, experience, mentoring, application, and continuing-education criteria.
What does New Jersey require for the Civil, General Equity, and Probate mediator roster?
The Judiciary's published civil roster criteria generally call for an approved 40-hour mediation course, relevant educational and professional experience, evidence of recent qualifying mediation, and mentoring in at least two cases totaling five hours. Verify the current requirements and available exceptions directly with the Judiciary.
Does New Jersey accept 40-hour mediation training completed out of state?
Its published civil roster materials describe a six-hour supplemental civil mediation requirement for applicants whose basic training was completed out of state or more than five years before roster application. This does not mean every out-of-state course is accepted as approved basic training; check approval of the original course separately.
What about family economic mediation?
New Jersey has a separate family economic roster process. Its published application calls for 40 hours of approved divorce mediation training, specialized professional qualifications, and at least five hours of mentoring in two family matters after conditional approval. Do not assume general civil or asynchronous training meets those conditions.
Is family custody and parenting-time mediation governed by the same rules?
No. Court-connected custody and parenting-time mediation involves separate qualifications concerning mediation training, behavioral or social sciences, and supervised experience. New Jersey also updated qualifications for designated court staff and judicial law clerks in 2025. Seek guidance on the specific role.
Do Special Civil Part or municipal volunteers need 40 hours?
Rule 1:40-12 includes an 18-hour basic training requirement for certain Special Civil Part and municipal volunteer mediators. The availability of assignments and authorized training providers must be checked with the relevant Judiciary program; this pathway is distinct from the civil roster.
Does New Jersey require continued education after approval?
Published civil and family economic roster materials generally require at least four hours of annual continuing mediation education. Specific reporting and subject-matter rules depend on the applicable Judiciary program.
Can I study mediation online for professional development in New Jersey?
Yes. VirNet's on-demand program is designed to teach foundational mediation and negotiation skills for professional development. That educational purpose should not be confused with accepted court-roster training or a New Jersey professional license.
What New Jersey law should a prospective mediator know?
New Jersey's Uniform Mediation Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:23C-1 et seq., and Court Rule 1:40 are important starting points, together with applicable court program guidance and confidentiality/privilege rules. The details depend on the type of mediation work.
Which VirNet course tier should I select?
All three options include the same foundational 40-hour curriculum. Self-Directed ($775) is independent study; Instructor-Guided ($1,475) includes individualized assignment feedback; Private Coaching ($3,275) adds five private sessions. These added support options do not turn VirNet's course into New Jersey Judiciary-approved roster training.
For a court roster application, verify approved training, the mentoring process, and any recent rule changes with the New Jersey Judiciary before paying for an on-demand course.
Start building your mediation skills.
One 40-hour curriculum, three ways to learn, and a practical focus on the conversations mediators actually navigate. Choose your preferred level of support and review the course before enrolling.
Michigan 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
MICHIGAN / 40-HOUR ONLINE MEDIATION TRAINING
Michigan 40-Hour Mediation Training. Build skills. Understand your next steps.
Develop practical conflict-resolution skills through VirNet's flexible online mediation course. Explore impartial facilitation, communication, interest-based negotiation, ethical practice, and agreements that work in real life.
Michigan has specific qualification rules for mediators serving on court rosters and in court-connected programs. VirNet's certificate documents course completion; it does not establish State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) approval or independently qualify you for a Michigan court roster.
If your objective is court-roster eligibility, contact the Michigan SCAO or your intended court/program to confirm approved training and additional requirements before enrolling.
KNOW WHAT YOUR TRAINING PROVIDES
What does 40-hour mediation training mean in Michigan?
Foundational mediation education and Michigan court-roster qualification are related, but they are not the same thing.
Learn a structured process
Develop skills in listening, reframing, identifying interests, managing impasse, ethical decision-making, and supporting informed agreements.
Apply skills in your field
Attorneys, HR professionals, educators, leaders, and aspiring private mediators can apply conflict-resolution techniques within their existing roles and competencies.
Verify approval first
Michigan court-roster rules require SCAO-approved training and other credentials or experience. An online 40-hour course is not automatically approved for that purpose.
VirNet issues a certificate of completion for its training. That certificate is not a Michigan mediator license, SCAO training approval, court-roster appointment, or promise of program acceptance.
One course. Three levels of support.
Every option includes the same 40-hour foundational curriculum. Select the amount of personal feedback and mentoring that aligns with your learning style and goals.
Self-Directed
Full course access with independent study
$775
Complete the 10-module program on your schedule with lessons, assessments, practical simulations, and downloadable course resources. Individualized instructor grading or coaching is not included.
View course & enroll →Instructor-Guided
Personal feedback throughout the course
$1,475
Everything in Self-Directed, plus individualized review and feedback from Dr. Earwicker on two assignments in each of the 10 modules.
View course & enroll →Private Coaching
Instructor feedback plus five private sessions
$3,275
Everything in Instructor-Guided, plus five one-on-one sessions with Dr. Earwicker to discuss your technique, professional goals, and growth as a mediator.
View course & enroll →Select a training option to review the full course details, current tuition, and enrollment instructions. Any applicable promotion will be displayed on the course enrollment page.
The flexibility of online learning, with opportunities to actually mediate.
Moving through this course is more than watching videos. Structured instruction, knowledge checks, realistic simulations, and reflection activities help connect mediation concepts to concrete decisions and conversations.
You can work through the self-paced curriculum wherever you have reliable internet access. If you select guided instruction or coaching, the program also incorporates individualized feedback and mentorship as described in your enrollment tier.
Inside the course
- Video lessons explaining mediation principles and practical techniques
- Readings, downloadable outlines, and supplemental learning resources
- Quizzes and exercises to reinforce each topic
- Interactive, AI-assisted practice conversations
- Reflection and application assignments
- A final evaluation and certificate process after completing required coursework
What you will learn to do.
Good mediation is both a thoughtful process and a set of skills that improve with practice. The curriculum develops these capabilities together.
Listen beyond positions
Identify emotions, interests, assumptions, and information gaps without prematurely choosing sides.
Guide a clear process
Practice introductions, issue identification, negotiation, impasse management, and appropriate closure.
Respond to challenging dynamics
Work thoughtfully with frustration, power differences, difficult conversations, and cultural context.
Develop practical options
Support brainstorming, evaluation of proposals, and careful agreement development.
Build professional habits
Explore ethics, neutrality, preparation, boundaries, and pathways for continuing mediator development.
A comprehensive introduction to the practice of mediation.
The course progresses from foundational ideas to more complex simulations and professional applications. These five learning areas summarize the content across the ten course modules; they are not separate enrollment products.
Foundations and the mediator role
The purposes, principles, ethics, and major approaches of mediation.
Communication and negotiation
Listening, reframing, empathy, interest-based bargaining, and productive questioning.
Difficult situations and power
Impasse, strong emotions, de-escalation, cultural responsiveness, and participant safeguards.
Structure, agreements, and practice
Stages of a mediation, option development, drafting, and realistic simulations.
Professional pathways
Online dispute resolution, professional boundaries, practice planning, and ongoing development.
Want to inspect the actual lessons? Each course page includes a curriculum view and course details before enrollment.
View the existing course curriculum →MICHIGAN PRACTICE PATHWAYS
Find the right place for your mediation skills.
Michigan recognizes several distinct mediation settings. Each can call for a different combination of training, experience, and professional qualifications.
Private civil and business disputes
Use mediation principles in contract, business, property, organizational, and other consensual dispute-resolution settings. Parties can select a mediator by agreement, subject to the applicable rules and context.
Under MCR 2.411(B)(1), a mediator stipulated to by the parties in a referred civil case need not meet the court-roster qualifications in MCR 2.411(F); that is not a blanket exemption from professional competence or other legal duties.
General civil court mediation
Michigan's MCR 2.411 governs general civil mediation referrals and specifies qualifications for roster-eligible mediators, including approved training, education or experience, and observed/supervised practice.
This VirNet course is not represented as SCAO-approved. Check the approved-program pathway before relying on it for a court-roster application.
Domestic relations mediation
MCR 3.216 addresses family and domestic relations mediation, including specialized qualifications, approved training, observation, and supervised mediation. Safety screening is especially important.
Michigan's SCAO standards also describe an 8-hour domestic-violence screening training requirement for domestic relations roster mediators.
Community and workplace conflict
Community dispute resolution centers, employers, schools, and nonprofit organizations offer settings in which facilitation and mediation skills can be valuable.
Michigan's Community Dispute Resolution Program has its own SCAO-related training and volunteer standards; contact an individual center about its onboarding process.
Michigan primary authorities: Michigan Court Rules (MCR 2.411 and 3.216) SCAO Mediation Training Standards
MICHIGAN COURT AND PROGRAM STANDARDS
Court-roster eligibility requires more than a 40-hour certificate.
The Michigan State Court Administrative Office approves qualifying training programs. Court rules separately address the education, experience, and supervised practice required for particular rosters.
Approved training and practical experience
General civil roster eligibility requires SCAO-approved training; a J.D. or graduate conflict-resolution degree, or 40 hours of qualifying mediation experience over two years; observation of two proceedings; and one mediation conducted to conclusion under an approved mediator's supervision and observation.
Read MCR 2.411 →Specialized family qualifications
Domestic relations roster applicants must meet an identified professional education, licensure, or family-counseling experience pathway; complete approved domestic relations training; observe two mediations; and conduct one supervised mediation. SCAO standards also address eight hours of domestic-violence screening training.
Review SCAO domestic relations standards →Centers follow program standards
Michigan's Community Dispute Resolution Program calls for neutral mediators with at least 40 hours of training in a State Court Administrator-approved course of study or an applicable internship pathway. Individual centers also maintain training and experience records.
Read the CDRP manual →Michigan allows SCAO-approved trainers to conduct approved online training in certain circumstances. Online delivery by itself does not establish SCAO approval; VirNet's self-paced course is not advertised as an SCAO-approved roster-training program. Confirm your intended program's current requirements directly.
Let's discuss your training goals.
Whether you are comparing the three course pathways or exploring how the training fits a particular role, we can explain the program and point you toward the questions to ask your local court or credentialing authority.
For a useful response, share your state, intended practice setting, and any specific training requirements you've been given.
General VirNet contact page →Ask about the 40-hour course
Have a question about learning format, guidance options, or state-specific needs? Our training inquiry form is available directly below this section.
For enrollment questions, include your city/state, intended mediation role, and the option you are considering.
40-HOUR MEDIATION TRAINING | PROGRESS SAVED
Your course inquiry is saved.
You can return to complete your questions when you're ready.
Use the unique resume link provided below, or request that the link be emailed to you. Keep it private so others cannot access your saved answers.
Your inquiry has not yet been submitted to VirNet.
The resume link expires 30 days after saving; WPForms removes the saved entry after expiration.
MICHIGAN MEDIATION LAW AND ETHICS
Build a careful, ethical practice—and verify the rules that apply.
Michigan Court Rule 2.412 addresses confidentiality and disclosure of mediation communications in covered proceedings. The scope and exceptions matter: do not promise absolute confidentiality, or assume every private conversation is protected in the same way.
For domestic relations mediation, MCR 3.216 requires reasonable inquiry and continuing screening for coercion or violence that could make mediation unsafe or prevent a voluntary resolution. Safety and self-determination must guide decisions about suitability.
Michigan's court-connected standards emphasize impartiality, honest disclosure, conflicts awareness, and respect for each participant's ability to make informed decisions. Continuing training requirements apply to approved roster mediators.
Learn from the mediator who built the course.
Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker brings together hands-on mediation, civil rights and organizational dispute resolution, and years of teaching negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. All three enrollment paths share his 40-hour curriculum; the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching options add individualized instruction.
Explore Dr. Earwicker's professional background →40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Instructor-Guided
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Self-Directed
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Private Coaching
Hear from people who completed the training.
Students describe their experiences with the self-paced format, interactive role-play simulations, curriculum progression, and personal feedback. Browse their full comments below to see which aspects of the program mattered most to them.
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee any particular outcome or professional credential.
MICHIGAN MEDIATION TRAINING FAQ
Questions about 40-hour training in Michigan.
Clear distinctions help you choose training that aligns with your intended professional setting.
Does Michigan require all private mediators to hold a state license?
Michigan's court rules establish qualifications for court-connected rosters, but they do not create one universal state-issued mediator license for every private mediation setting. The requirements depend on the work, referral source, and any applicable professional obligations.
Will VirNet's course make me an SCAO-approved Michigan mediator?
No. VirNet provides a certificate documenting completion of its 40-hour training. We do not represent this course as approved by Michigan's State Court Administrative Office, and course completion alone does not satisfy the full requirements for a court roster.
What does MCR 2.411 require for general civil roster mediators?
The rule requires SCAO-approved training, qualifying education or mediation experience, observation of two general civil mediations, and one supervised mediation conducted to conclusion. The rule also provides a process for special approval in certain circumstances.
Can Michigan approve online mediator training?
Yes, SCAO standards permit approved trainers to offer online training in specified circumstances. That does not mean all online courses are approved. Confirm the exact provider, program, delivery format, and intended use with the SCAO or receiving court.
What additional training applies to domestic relations mediation?
MCR 3.216 requires approved domestic relations mediation training, specified professional or experience qualifications, observation, and supervised mediation. SCAO standards additionally address an eight-hour domestic-violence screening program for domestic relations roster mediators.
Can I mediate a Michigan civil case if the parties choose me?
MCR 2.411(B)(1) permits parties to stipulate to a mediator who does not meet the roster qualifications in MCR 2.411(F), subject to the rule's requirements. That exception should not be confused with court-roster approval or a guarantee of suitability for a particular dispute.
Does Michigan protect mediation communications?
MCR 2.412 addresses confidentiality and disclosure for covered mediation communications, subject to exceptions and limitations. Specific private mediations or specialized programs may involve additional rules or agreements; review the applicable protections before making confidentiality promises.
Can I take VirNet's course from anywhere in Michigan?
Yes. VirNet's on-demand training is designed for online participation across Michigan. If you need training for a particular court, community center, or professional designation, verify in advance that the program accepts this course and format.
This page provides educational information, not a determination of eligibility or legal advice. Michigan court rules, training standards, and program policies may change. Verify current requirements with the responsible authority.
Answers before you enroll.
Learn what the program includes, what a completion certificate means, and what additional steps might apply in your jurisdiction.
Is the course entirely online?
Yes. The foundational course is offered online and on demand, with video learning materials, assignments, quizzes, and interactive practice exercises. Confirm any synchronous or in-person requirements imposed by your intended court or certification program.
How do the three enrollment options differ?
All three include the complete curriculum. Self-Directed is independent study. Instructor-Guided includes feedback on two assignments in each of ten modules. Private Coaching adds five individual coaching sessions with Dr. Earwicker.
Do I need a legal degree or prior mediation experience?
No particular professional degree is required to enroll in this foundational course. Certain courts or specialized programs may impose additional qualifications for their own rosters or credentials.
Will I earn a certificate?
A certificate of completion is available after successful completion of the program and its requirements. It documents training completion and is not itself a government license, court appointment, or guarantee of eligibility.
Will this qualify me to mediate for courts in my state?
Possibly, but not automatically. Court-connected programs may require approved training providers, specific instructional formats, subject-matter instruction, screening, mentoring, or separate applications. Verify the exact jurisdiction and roster requirements before enrolling for that purpose.
Can I start a private mediation practice after the course?
The course builds foundational skills and introduces professional pathways, but starting a practice also requires careful attention to ethical duties, local rules, business formation, insurance considerations, and the scope of services offered.
How do the interactive role-play exercises work?
Students work through realistic, AI-assisted practice conversations while taking the mediator role, then reflect on the communication and process choices they made. Guided tiers add personalized review as described in the course.
Can I study on evenings or weekends?
Yes. The online curriculum is self-paced, making it possible to organize study around professional and family schedules. Individual coaching appointments in the Private Coaching option must be arranged.
What if I have questions about my state or enrollment?
Review the relevant court or program requirements and contact VirNet with your state and intended mediation role. We can explain the course format, but final eligibility and recognition decisions belong to the governing authority.
Start building your mediation skills.
One 40-hour curriculum, three ways to learn, and a practical focus on the conversations mediators actually navigate. Choose your preferred level of support and review the course before enrolling.
North Carolina 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
NORTH CAROLINA / 40-HOUR ONLINE MEDIATION TRAINING
North Carolina 40-Hour Mediation Training. Build practical skills. Know your pathway.
Develop a strong foundation in mediation through VirNet's flexible, on-demand 40-hour course. Learn how to guide difficult conversations, identify underlying interests, navigate impasse, and support durable, participant-driven agreements.
North Carolina's Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC) separately certifies mediators serving designated court programs. Its court-approved training has specific curriculum and delivery requirements. VirNet's self-paced certificate confirms course completion; it is not NCDRC certification and this course is not represented as NCDRC-approved training.
Seeking superior court or family financial mediator certification? Verify the exact training, delivery format, and applicant prerequisites with the NCDRC before enrolling.
YOUR TRAINING / YOUR GOALS
What does 40-hour mediation training mean in North Carolina?
A 40-hour foundation can serve professional development and private conflict-resolution work. Court-program certification is a separate, more specialized process.
Develop the mediator's toolkit
Explore neutrality, active listening, reframing, productive questioning, negotiation, ethical judgment, and the structure of a complete mediation process.
Apply skills across settings
Attorneys, HR teams, educators, nonprofit leaders, business professionals, and aspiring private mediators can use foundational skills in their existing roles.
Confirm approval and format
The NCDRC certifies court mediators and training programs. For superior court training, its remote-training guidelines call for live instruction with participants on video, not a self-paced course.
VirNet provides a certificate of completion for this course. It is not a state-issued mediator credential, an NCDRC-approved training certificate, or a guarantee of appointment to any North Carolina court roster.
One course. Three levels of support.
Every option includes the same 40-hour foundational curriculum. Select the amount of personal feedback and mentoring that aligns with your learning style and goals.
Self-Directed
Full course access with independent study
$775
Complete the 10-module program on your schedule with lessons, assessments, practical simulations, and downloadable course resources. Individualized instructor grading or coaching is not included.
View course & enroll →Instructor-Guided
Personal feedback throughout the course
$1,475
Everything in Self-Directed, plus individualized review and feedback from Dr. Earwicker on two assignments in each of the 10 modules.
View course & enroll →Private Coaching
Instructor feedback plus five private sessions
$3,275
Everything in Instructor-Guided, plus five one-on-one sessions with Dr. Earwicker to discuss your technique, professional goals, and growth as a mediator.
View course & enroll →Select a training option to review the full course details, current tuition, and enrollment instructions. Any applicable promotion will be displayed on the course enrollment page.
The flexibility of online learning, with opportunities to actually mediate.
Moving through this course is more than watching videos. Structured instruction, knowledge checks, realistic simulations, and reflection activities help connect mediation concepts to concrete decisions and conversations.
You can work through the self-paced curriculum wherever you have reliable internet access. If you select guided instruction or coaching, the program also incorporates individualized feedback and mentorship as described in your enrollment tier.
Inside the course
- Video lessons explaining mediation principles and practical techniques
- Readings, downloadable outlines, and supplemental learning resources
- Quizzes and exercises to reinforce each topic
- Interactive, AI-assisted practice conversations
- Reflection and application assignments
- A final evaluation and certificate process after completing required coursework
What you will learn to do.
Good mediation is both a thoughtful process and a set of skills that improve with practice. The curriculum develops these capabilities together.
Listen beyond positions
Identify emotions, interests, assumptions, and information gaps without prematurely choosing sides.
Guide a clear process
Practice introductions, issue identification, negotiation, impasse management, and appropriate closure.
Respond to challenging dynamics
Work thoughtfully with frustration, power differences, difficult conversations, and cultural context.
Develop practical options
Support brainstorming, evaluation of proposals, and careful agreement development.
Build professional habits
Explore ethics, neutrality, preparation, boundaries, and pathways for continuing mediator development.
A comprehensive introduction to the practice of mediation.
The course progresses from foundational ideas to more complex simulations and professional applications. These five learning areas summarize the content across the ten course modules; they are not separate enrollment products.
Foundations and the mediator role
The purposes, principles, ethics, and major approaches of mediation.
Communication and negotiation
Listening, reframing, empathy, interest-based bargaining, and productive questioning.
Difficult situations and power
Impasse, strong emotions, de-escalation, cultural responsiveness, and participant safeguards.
Structure, agreements, and practice
Stages of a mediation, option development, drafting, and realistic simulations.
Professional pathways
Online dispute resolution, professional boundaries, practice planning, and ongoing development.
Want to inspect the actual lessons? Each course page includes a curriculum view and course details before enrollment.
View the existing course curriculum →NORTH CAROLINA MEDIATION PATHWAYS
Where can mediation training take you?
Private mediation, court-connected civil cases, family financial matters, and specialized programs require different combinations of training, experience, and authorization.
Private and organizational mediation
Use foundational skills in employment, business, contract, education, community, and other consensual dispute-resolution settings. Practical experience, ethical boundaries, and appropriate subject-matter knowledge remain important.
NCDRC court-program certification should not be confused with a universal state license for all consensual private mediation.
Superior Court civil mediation (MSC)
North Carolina's Mediated Settlement Conference program uses NCDRC-certified mediators. The ordinary training route calls for at least 40 hours of Commission-certified trial court mediation training plus Rule 8 professional qualifications and other application requirements.
NCDRC-approved remote MSC training must be live and interactive, with participants on video throughout. VirNet's on-demand format is not a substitute for that requirement.
Family Financial Settlement (FFS)
District court family financial mediation has separate NCDRC requirements, including qualifying professional background, family-law prerequisites, approved training, observations, and application approval. Some already-qualified applicants may use a 16-hour supplemental route.
A general 40-hour mediation course does not automatically meet the Commission's family-financial training standards.
Clerk and specialized court programs
Estate and guardianship mediation before the clerk generally requires prior MSC or FFS certification plus an approved 10-hour subject-specific course. District criminal court mediation follows a different training and apprenticeship structure.
Contact the program that matches your intended practice before choosing a certification track.
Official North Carolina resources: Dispute Resolution Commission Superior Court Rules 8-9 Family Financial certification Clerk program
NCDRC / COURT-PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS
Court-connected mediation requires more than a 40-hour certificate.
The North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission certifies mediators for designated court programs and approves qualifying training programs. Requirements vary by the type of cases you intend to mediate.
Approved 40-hour training and qualifications
MSC Rule 8 requires Commission-certified mediation training (or a qualifying supplemental pathway), together with professional background and other application requirements. The NCDRC's 2025 trainer guidelines require live video participation for approved remote MSC courses.
Read NCDRC remote-training guidelines →Family-law prerequisites and observations
Family Financial Settlement certification ordinarily requires an approved 40-hour FFS course or an eligible 16-hour supplemental course, along with qualifying experience, family-law preparation, observation requirements, and application approval.
Review FFS certification →Additional training may apply
For estate and guardianship matters before the clerk, qualifying mediators generally need MSC or FFS certification plus 10 hours of approved specialty training. District criminal mediation uses separate training and apprenticeship requirements.
Explore Clerk mediation certification →Training approval, applicant eligibility, and certification are separate determinations. VirNet does not represent its on-demand course as approved by the NCDRC for MSC, FFS, Clerk, or District Criminal Court certification.
Let's discuss your training goals.
Whether you are comparing the three course pathways or exploring how the training fits a particular role, we can explain the program and point you toward the questions to ask your local court or credentialing authority.
For a useful response, share your state, intended practice setting, and any specific training requirements you've been given.
General VirNet contact page →Ask about the 40-hour course
Have a question about learning format, guidance options, or state-specific needs? Our training inquiry form is available directly below this section.
For enrollment questions, include your city/state, intended mediation role, and the option you are considering.
40-HOUR MEDIATION TRAINING | PROGRESS SAVED
Your course inquiry is saved.
You can return to complete your questions when you're ready.
Use the unique resume link provided below, or request that the link be emailed to you. Keep it private so others cannot access your saved answers.
Your inquiry has not yet been submitted to VirNet.
The resume link expires 30 days after saving; WPForms removes the saved entry after expiration.
Practice difficult conversations before mediating real ones.
Interactive role-play is a distinctive part of the training. Through realistic, AI-assisted scenarios, you take the mediator's role, practice responding in real time, and reflect on the choices you made.
Scenarios increase in complexity as you advance, including workplace, interpersonal, and multifaceted disputes. They give you opportunities to experiment with questions, reframing, neutrality, and ways of moving a conversation forward.
The technology is a learning tool; it is not a substitute for supervised practice or any state-required live training component.
From understanding a technique to trying it.
- Study the skills and frameworks.
- Apply them in an interactive scenario.
- Reflect on what happened and what you would adjust.
- Receive additional instructor feedback if your tier includes it.
NORTH CAROLINA LAW & ETHICAL PRACTICE
Practice with care. Verify the rules that govern your setting.
North Carolina General Statutes § 7A-38.1 governs mediated settlement conferences in superior court civil actions. It addresses attendance, mediator selection, settlement procedures, and important protections for mediation communications, subject to express exceptions.
For NCDRC-certified mediators, the Commission's Standards of Professional Conduct address ethical responsibilities. Confidentiality, impartiality, competence, conflicts of interest, informed participation, and appropriate professional boundaries should guide every mediation setting.
Confidentiality protections are not absolute. The applicable law and any exceptions depend on the mediation program and the circumstances. Avoid promising that every statement or document will be privileged or inadmissible.
Learn from the mediator who built the course.
Dr. Benjamin J. Earwicker brings together hands-on mediation, civil rights and organizational dispute resolution, and years of teaching negotiation and alternative dispute resolution. All three enrollment paths share his 40-hour curriculum; the Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching options add individualized instruction.
Explore Dr. Earwicker's professional background →40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Instructor-Guided
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Self-Directed
40-Hour Basic Mediation Certification - Private Coaching
Hear from people who completed the training.
Students describe their experiences with the self-paced format, interactive role-play simulations, curriculum progression, and personal feedback. Browse their full comments below to see which aspects of the program mattered most to them.
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee any particular outcome or professional credential.
NORTH CAROLINA / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions about mediation training in North Carolina
Understand the distinction between practical education, court-program training approval, and mediator certification before you enroll.
Does North Carolina require every private mediator to be NCDRC-certified?
The NCDRC certifies mediators serving specified court programs. Its court-program certification should not be treated as a universal license requirement for every consensual private mediation. Particular employers, contracts, professional bodies, or referral programs may impose their own standards.
Will VirNet's 40-hour course certify me as a North Carolina superior court mediator?
No. VirNet's on-demand course provides foundational education and a certificate of completion. NCDRC MSC certification requires Commission-certified training or an accepted alternative, professional qualifications, and an approved application. VirNet does not represent this course as NCDRC-approved MSC training.
Can self-paced online training satisfy the NCDRC's approved 40-hour MSC course requirement?
The NCDRC's February 2025 MSC trainer guidelines permit remote instruction, but require that it be live, interactive, and conducted with participants appearing by video throughout. VirNet's self-paced, on-demand format does not meet that live-instruction standard.
What is the difference between MSC and FFS mediator certification?
MSC concerns superior court civil mediated settlement conferences. FFS concerns district court family financial matters. They have different training, professional background, and application requirements, and the FFS track also includes family-law prerequisites and observation requirements.
Can an already-certified mediator take a shorter supplemental course?
Some applicants who qualify through another NCDRC certification track, or who have qualifying out-of-state training and Commission approval, may be eligible for a 16-hour supplemental MSC or FFS course. Confirm eligibility with the Commission before selecting a shorter course.
Do I need to be an attorney to become a North Carolina court mediator?
Not necessarily. NCDRC rules describe attorney and non-attorney qualification routes, but they impose professional background, training, and other requirements that vary by program. Check the current Rule 8 for your chosen track.
Does North Carolina require continuing mediator education?
Yes. The NCDRC currently requires certified MSC and FFS mediators to complete and report two hours of continuing mediator education annually as part of renewal. Verify the current renewal cycle and any applicable exceptions with the Commission.
Is everything said during a North Carolina mediation confidential?
No blanket promise applies to every mediation. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-38.1 provides important protections for covered superior court settlement conferences but includes exceptions, including specified sanctions, enforcement, disciplinary, and protective proceedings. Other mediation settings may be governed by different rules.
Can I take VirNet's course anywhere in North Carolina?
Yes. The course is delivered online and can be completed remotely for foundational mediation learning. If you are pursuing NCDRC certification or another specific credential, confirm acceptance of the exact course and format before enrolling.
Educational information only, not legal advice or an assertion of North Carolina training approval. Program rules can change. Confirm current requirements directly with the NCDRC or the organization overseeing your intended mediation work.
Answers before you enroll.
Learn what the program includes, what a completion certificate means, and what additional steps might apply in your jurisdiction.
Is the course entirely online?
Yes. The foundational course is offered online and on demand, with video learning materials, assignments, quizzes, and interactive practice exercises. Confirm any synchronous or in-person requirements imposed by your intended court or certification program.
How do the three enrollment options differ?
All three include the complete curriculum. Self-Directed is independent study. Instructor-Guided includes feedback on two assignments in each of ten modules. Private Coaching adds five individual coaching sessions with Dr. Earwicker.
Do I need a legal degree or prior mediation experience?
No particular professional degree is required to enroll in this foundational course. Certain courts or specialized programs may impose additional qualifications for their own rosters or credentials.
Will I earn a certificate?
A certificate of completion is available after successful completion of the program and its requirements. It documents training completion and is not itself a government license, court appointment, or guarantee of eligibility.
Will this qualify me to mediate for courts in my state?
Possibly, but not automatically. Court-connected programs may require approved training providers, specific instructional formats, subject-matter instruction, screening, mentoring, or separate applications. Verify the exact jurisdiction and roster requirements before enrolling for that purpose.
Can I start a private mediation practice after the course?
The course builds foundational skills and introduces professional pathways, but starting a practice also requires careful attention to ethical duties, local rules, business formation, insurance considerations, and the scope of services offered.
How do the interactive role-play exercises work?
Students work through realistic, AI-assisted practice conversations while taking the mediator role, then reflect on the communication and process choices they made. Guided tiers add personalized review as described in the course.
Can I study on evenings or weekends?
Yes. The online curriculum is self-paced, making it possible to organize study around professional and family schedules. Individual coaching appointments in the Private Coaching option must be arranged.
What if I have questions about my state or enrollment?
Review the relevant court or program requirements and contact VirNet with your state and intended mediation role. We can explain the course format, but final eligibility and recognition decisions belong to the governing authority.
Start building your mediation skills.
One 40-hour curriculum, three ways to learn, and a practical focus on the conversations mediators actually navigate. Choose your preferred level of support and review the course before enrolling.