How to Become a Court Mediator
Court mediators are responsible for assisting individuals in resolving issues over a variety of disputes including property, rental contracts, divorce and custody settlements. Most courts require those applying for this position to hold a bachelor's degree or have comparable experience in the field of psychology or counseling, while a master's degree is strongly preferred. Plus, approved applicants will be put through an intense 20-40 hours of training and get hands-on experience with a mentor. Here's a guide to becoming a court mediator.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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1
Make sure you meet the education requirement. Most states require applicants to be at least 18 years of age and have a bachelor's degree or equivalent life experience. Some states will only consider individuals with a master's degree.
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2
Complete an application. Once you've considered the minimum requirements, complete an application to enter a training program. These applications can be found at your state's home page, under the court systems link. Complete the application with necessary processing fee, which is usually $25 or less.
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3
Understand the training time commitment. Most court systems have their own set of requirements for court-certified mediators. For example, you may be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training and have up to four years of experience before the court will allow you to mediate.
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4
Determine if you want to specialize in a specific area of mediation. Many courts allow individuals to get certification in a variety of specialties, including civil issues like contracts and land disputes, or domestic issues like divorce and custody. Specializing in these areas often requires additional hours of training.
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5
Check out continuing education opportunities. The court system you work for should offer continuing education that will allow you to broaden your skills and keep up with current law changes. Some states will require that court mediators take these courses to continue to work in the court system.
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Tips & Warnings
Emphasize any coursework completed in psychology and counseling. Courts prefer candidates with a heavy emphasis on psychology and counseling in their college studies; highlight these experiences on your application.
Check with your court about background checks. Some courts require individuals to not be convicted of any felonies or have more than one misdemeanor. Check with your court on requirements.
