Attorneys and aspiring mediators
Build familiarity with mediation structure, professional boundaries, negotiation, and the transition from advocacy to facilitation.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT / ONLINE MEDIATION TRAINING
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
Mediation skills extend beyond formal dispute resolution. This training provides a structured approach to listening, facilitating difficult conversations, and helping people consider workable options.
Build familiarity with mediation structure, professional boundaries, negotiation, and the transition from advocacy to facilitation.
Practice responding to interpersonal tensions, reframing disagreements, and guiding conversations without taking over decisions.
Strengthen listening, neutrality, communication, and collaborative problem-solving across challenging human situations.
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.
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 & enrollPersonal 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 & enrollInstructor 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 & enrollSelect 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
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.
Explore mediator ethics and neutrality, listening and reframing, interest-based negotiation, challenging dynamics, and agreements.
Take the mediator role in increasingly complex simulated disputes, then reflect on your questions, interventions, and choices.
Access the on-demand course without attending a fixed weekly class. Progress through the required activities at a pace that works for you.
Self-Directed learners work independently; Instructor-Guided and Private Coaching add individualized feedback, with coaching sessions in the highest tier.
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
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 pageHave 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.
COMMON QUESTIONS
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.
No. The curriculum is designed to introduce mediation principles to people from many professional backgrounds, including law, HR, education, counseling, business, and community work.
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.
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.
The main 40-hour training page includes a fuller curriculum overview, course options, instructor information, and extensive student testimonials.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Compare the three training options, explore the full curriculum, or ask us how the program fits your goals.
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.
