Conflict Resolution Extension Certificate

E-mail: cehealth@mtroyal.ca
Information: 403.440.6867 or toll-free 1.866.616.3606
Register: Start here
Location: Lincoln Park Campus, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW

Required Courses | Assessments | Optional Courses
Practice Sessions | Professional Development Seminars | Student Testimonials

The Conflict Resolution Extension Certificate prepares you to manage conflict effectively and constructively. The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical skill development for professional practice. De-escalate conflict, assess which conflict resolution technique is most useful in different situations, and conduct mediation and/or negotiation processes.

Courses are highly experiential, and you are expected to participate in simulated mediations, discussions and practical exercises.

Program Note
Required courses expose you to both theoretical and practical models. Optional courses provide choices for dealing with conflict in various situations. Courses are highly experiential, and you are expected to participate in simulated mediations, discussions and practical exercises.

Earn Credit Toward a Degree/Diploma
Certain Extension Certificates have been developed in cooperation with Mount Royal University credit faculties. These certificates have components which are transferable into various diplomas, applied degrees and degrees, provided applicants achieve the minimum required grade in the course(s) and meet the entrance requirements for the degree. Please see credit program websites for diploma, applied degree or degree entrance requirements. For more information on transfer credit please contact Community & Health Studies at cehealth@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.6867.

Requirements
Introduction to Conflict Resolution is a prerequisite to all Conflict Resolution courses. We strongly recommend that you take Communication in Conflict Resolution next.

You are required to purchase a course materials package, Introduction to Conflict Resolution, to use throughout the required courses. Cost: approx. $32+GST at the BookStore. Course materials for each of the optional courses are approx. $7+GST at the BookStore.

Online Course Expectations
The listed course hours indicate the estimated time for students to review the online learning units. The actual time spent completing assignments will vary depending on each student’s particular learning style and level of study skills.

Earning Your Extension Certificate
Complete the nine required courses plus a minimum of three optional courses (220 hours) listed in the schedule above with a minimum of 80% attendance, active participation and successful completion of course assessment in each course. In addition, one of the two final assessments (Mediation or Negotiation) must be completed successfully.

Career Outlook
Conflict resolution skills are valuable in a variety of workplace, community and home settings. Practitioners in the legal and justice system, health and human services, human resources, counselling, social services, business and customer relations will find the skills useful. Successful completion of the Conflict Resolution Extension Certificate may lead to an entry-level position in a mediation or negotiation setting.

Required Courses (9 courses)

Introduction to Conflict Resolution  
Begin to develop a personal philosophy for conflict resolution as you explore the benefits mediation and negotiation in a variety of settings. Assess your ability to communicate effectively and discover your personal style of handling conflict. Recognize the importance of separating the people from the problem and begin to apply conflict management processes.
Note: This course is the prerequisite to all other courses in the certificate.

Communication in Conflict Resolution
Acknowledge diversity and diverse points of view as you adapt to different communication styles in working through conflict situations. Learn to use questioning to gather information and use active listening skills effectively. Practise your communication skills and manage emotions in a variety of situations. Apply principles of giving and receiving feedback.

Dealing with Anger
Gain an understanding of the theories, techniques and approaches for identifying and managing the angry feelings that are often generated in conflict situations. Learn to use anger constructively in working through conflict to reach agreement.

Mediation Skills, Level 1
Create a safe and caring environment for mediation and learn to act ethically as a mediator. Recognize the role of the mediator in managing conflict as you explore the boundaries, scope and practice of mediation. Using the interest-based model to manage conflict, manage the process so parties are heard and understood.

Working Towards Cultural Competency in Conflict Resolution
Gain an understanding of how cultural diversity impacts human interaction. Explore the influence of culture on conflict and the conflict resolution process.

Negotiation Skills, Level 1
Use facilitation skills to manage conflict situations and apply your communications skills to the four-stage model of negotiation. Learn to prepare for negotiation in a variety of settings, whether single-issue, multi-issue or multi-party. Draft a negotiated agreement and demonstrate confidence in working through conflict situations, striving for win-win.

Shifting from Positions to Interests
Focus on exploring the issues. In both mediation and negotiation, you need to define your own and others' underlying interests in order to reach a positive outcome for all parties. Discuss the history of mediation and explore innovative solutions. Recognize your own biases and assumptions, and assess your self development and growth.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Conflict Resolution; Mediation Skills, Level 1 or Negotiation Skills, Level 1.

Mediation Skills, Level 2
Recognize the importance of separating the people from the problem as you explore various intervention styles and use your communication skills in drafting a mediated agreement. Explore the concepts of mandatory mediation, co-mediation, caucusing and the responsibility of the mediator. Practise your mediation skills through videotaped role-play and personalized feedback.
Prerequisites: Intro to Conflict Resolution, Mediation Skills 1.
Note: Registration deadline applies. Please call 403.440.5556 for more information.

Negotiation Skills, Level 2
Build your negotiation skills and draft a mediated agreement. Handle difficult situations within the four-stage negotiation model. Gain experience with dirty tricks, power, trust and entrenched positions through videotaped role-play and personalized feedback.
Prerequisites: Intro to Conflict Resolution, Negotiation Skills.
Note: Registration deadline applies. Please call 403.440.5556 for more information.

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Assessments
(Only one assessment is required to complete your Certificate)

Conflict Resolution Mediation Assessment
If you have completed all nine required courses in the Conflict Resolution Extension Certificate plus a minimum of three optional courses, you are eligible for the Mediation Assessment. Register for two one-hour time slots (one hour to do a recorded mediation and one hour, approximately a week later, to meet with an instructor to review the DVD).
Note: Fee includes $50 non-refundable application fee.
Note: Registration deadline applies. Please call 403.440.5556 for more information.

Conflict Resolution Negotiation Assessment
If you have completed all nine required courses in the Conflict Resolution Extension Certificate plus a minimum of three optional courses, you are eligible for the Negotiation Assessment. Register for two one-hour time slots (one hour to do a recorded mediation and one hour, approximately a week later, to meet with an instructor to review the DVD).
Note: Fee includes $50 non-refundable application fee.
Note: Registration deadline applies. Please call 403.440.5556 for more information.

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Optional Courses  (Choose 3)
Introduction to Conflict Resolution is the prerequisite for all optional courses.

Multi-Party Mediation: The Dynamics
Gain an understanding of the dynamics of multi-party mediation. Use case studies to explore the design and implementation of multi-party mediation, especially as they apply to the commercial, community and municipal sectors.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills, Level 1

Consensus Building for Groups 
Using the four-stage model, apply conflict resolution processes to group situations. Develop collaborative approaches to resolving conflict, solving problems, setting policies, making decisions and planning events in a group context.

Resolving Conflict in the Workplace
Identify sources of conflict in the workplace, such as management style, diversity, organizational culture and power issues. Learn to handle difficult situations by using assertive communication skills. 

Understanding Family Conflict
Help to create peaceful families where conflicts are resolved with integrity. Explore patterns of conflict that result from a combination of personality, temperament, family models. Apply conflict resolution processes to parent-child, partners, siblings, grandparents and sandwich generation conflicts.

Children in Conflict
Explore ways of helping children acquire skills to face conflict with safety and confidence. Children face conflict with family at home and with peers at school and in the community. Inner conflict is a major teen issue. Children are at risk for conflict which can escalate to verbal, emotional and physical abuse.

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Practice Sessions
Note: These sessions do not count toward your optional course requirements.

Mediation Practice Session
Preparing for the Mediation Assessment? This overview of the assessment process gives you the opportunity to practise the skills to be assessed. 

Negotiation Practice Session
Preparing for the Negotiation Assessment? This overview of the assessment process gives you the opportunity to practise the skills to be assessed. 

Professional Development Seminars
Note: These seminars do not count toward your optional course requirements.

Responding to Domestic Violence
Gain an understanding of the causes and effects of domestic violence as well as how to respond as a human service professional.

Elder Care Mediation
Help adult children and their aging parents create a partnership as the elder transitions into independent living. Understand developmental tasks while exploring misconceptions about aging such as dementia and depression. Work through areas of conflict including health care decisions and transitions. Facilitate difficult conversations about driving, housing, finances and self care.

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