Mediator education requirements

Q: What degree do you need to be a mediator?

You need a bachelor's degree in law, political science, or psychology to be a mediator. Mediators need to identify an area of specialty. By doing so, they can determine exactly which path to follow in terms of their bachelor's degree. There are several choices for a field of major based on what area of expertise you may choose. Some can include business and finance. Others will include more family-related things, such as sociology and psychology. Sometimes candidates will even choose to major in communication, which is ideal since mediating is full of communication. Many court-appointed mediators not only have a degree but have, on average, 20-40 hours of training. This training time gives you the opportunity to learn the process and take part in cases and resolutions successfully. Some states also require a certification to practice. Mediators can also pursue a graduate-level degree. Master's programs offer more advanced skill set training for a wide variety of conflict resolution processes. They continue to gain experience through practicum and/or internships. The completion of a master's degree also typically involves the completion of a thesis. A degree that prepares you for mediation is the best way to prepare with the necessary skill set to be an unbiased mediator for two conflicting parties in a situation.

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a mediator. Mediators usually study law, political science, or psychology. 58% of mediators hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an doctoral degree. We analyzed 2,000 real mediator resumes to see exactly what mediator education sections show.

The most common colleges for mediators are the University of Denver and the University of Denver.

There are also many online mediator courses to help get the education required to be a mediator.

What education do you need to become a mediator?

What degree do you need to be a mediator?

The most common degree for mediators is bachelor's degree, with 58% of mediators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are doctoral degree degree at 18% and doctoral degree degree at 14%.

Bachelor's, 58%

Doctorate, 18%

Master's, 14%

Associate, 6%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a mediator?

You should major in law to become a mediator. 24% of mediators major in law. Other common majors for a mediator include political science and psychology.

Law, 24%

Political Science, 12%

Psychology, 9%

Business, 9%

Other Majors, 46%

Most common colleges for mediators

Mediators often get their degrees at University of Denver, University of Utah, and University of California, Santa Barbara. Here are the most common colleges for mediators in the US based on their resumes.

Mediator common college	Percentages
University of Denver	7.43%
University of Utah	6.93%
University of California, Santa Barbara	6.93%
University of Maryland - College Park	6.44%
University of California - Davis	5.94%

Show more common mediator colleges

Best majors for mediators

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Law	24.0%
2	Political Science	12.2%
3	Psychology	9.5%
4	Business	8.6%
5	Criminal Justice	6.5%

Show more common mediator majors

Best colleges for mediators

The best colleges for mediators are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

A mediator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for mediators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become mediators.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

4. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

5. University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,184

Enrollment

30,845

6. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$53,391

Enrollment

8,568

9. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$8,958

Enrollment

2,486

10. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

20 best online courses for mediators

Advertising disclosure

1. Mediation and Conflict Resolution

Mediation is a crucial means to reaching peaceful and agreed solutions in today’s world – on an international, political, industrial, peace-keeping or social level. With the course you will be able to choose and lead a mediation process. You will gain a deeper understanding of workplace and international conflict resolution. Fundamentals of Negotiation are required to complete this MOOC. You can acquire them through our MOOC "Negotiation Fundamentals". After this course, you will be able to:...

2. Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution - Capstone Project

This course has been designed to help you apply knowledge, skills, and know-how you have developed in negotiation and in mediation, both as a result of your own practice and the follow up of the previous Courses of the ESSEC “Negotiation, Mediation, and Conflict Resolution” specialization. Before you enroll this course, we strongly recommend that you acquire the necessary pre-requisites. A number of tools, concepts, and methods are outlined in 3 MOOCS: Negotiation Fundamentals, Cross-cultural...

3. Fraud Prevention, Dispute Resolution and PCI-DSS Masterclass

4.4

(827)

The fundamentals of fraud prevention and monitoring + dispute resolution + PCI-DSS requirements - now in one course...

4. Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation for Upset Customers

4.4

(2,672)

You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with upset clients and customers...

5. Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Resolution

This specialization is intended for managers - from business, public administration, international organizations or NGOs - who want to go beyond intuition and acquire proven tools to help them achieve greater success in negotiation.\n\nYou will learn the negotiation fundamental skills and tools thanks to the first Course.\n\nWith the second course you we will enable you to develop better cross-cultural anticipation and flexibility when you face a negotiation - both key skills in an...

6. International Law in Action: A Guide to the International Courts and Tribunals in The Hague

International Law in Action explains the functions of each international court and tribunal present in The Hague, and it looks at how these institutions address contemporary problems. On the basis of selected cases, and through interviews with judges and lawyers, you will explore the role of these courts and tribunals and their potential to contribute to global justice. The first module of the course will investigate how judicial settlement is different from other more political forms of...

7. Conflict Resolution for Co-Workers

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You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your co-workers, manager or peers...

8. Conflict Resolution in Leadership and Talent Management

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You'll learn diagnosis and resolution techniques for tense, sensitive conflicts with your team members/reports...

9. Customer Service Fundamentals

There are a growing number of exciting, well-paying jobs in today’s tech industry that do not require a traditional college degree, an one of the hottest areas with high demand is in IT customer service and support. Customer Service is a perfect entry point to start your career in IT, with a multitude of job openings ranging from onsite or remote help desk work to customer care or client support. We can help you get there with the Customer Service Fundamentals course. We will help you to build...

10. Managing conflict with skill and confidence

4.5

(1,518)

Understanding conflict and resolving disagreements with confidence at work and in life...

11. Construction: Pricing Extension of Time Claims: Vol 1 of 2

4.5

(300)

This course provides professional training on the preparation of Quantum calculations for Extension of Time claims...

12. Contracts, Delays and Claims with Primavera P6

4.6

(737)

Learn all about Contracts, Delays & Claims along with practical Delay Analysis using Primavera P6 software...

13. Employment Law Compliance Made Easy

4.7

(1,575)

A comprehensive course for management to understand key employment law issues in the workplace...

14. Customer Service Foundation

4.5

(290)

An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...

15. Construction Claims Management - (9 PDUs)

4.3

(302)

Construction Claims Management ... Step-by-step from Definition to Submital...

16. Customer Service Training: Dealing with Difficult Customers

4.5

(1,035)

Learn how to deal with difficult customers Master customer relationship management Gain conflict management skills...

17. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives

4.5

(941)

Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...

18. A Practical Approach to FIDIC Contracts

4.4

(292)

The interactive course is based on the FIDIC Approved Module 1 Workshop and introduces the FIDIC Suite of Contracts...

19. Construction Claims Management

4.4

(511)

This Master Course will provide you with a professional claims management system for all your construction projects...

20. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience

4.6

(2,666)

Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...

Top 10 most affordable universities for mediators

The most affordable schools for mediators are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for mediators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for mediators.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for mediators

The hardest universities for mediators to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Duke University.

Some great schools for mediators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for mediators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

6. University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN • Private

Admissions rate

18%

SAT average

1,502

7. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for mediators

The easiest schools for mediators to get into are Barry University, university of north texas at dallas, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a mediator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for mediators.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

5. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

10. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average mediator salary by education level

Mediator education level	Mediator salary
Doctorate Degree	$50,610

Mediator education FAQs

What degree do you need to be a mediator?

What is the best college for Mediators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common legal questions.

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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