+ When does the course begin and end?

The IMA New Mediator course is currently open for enrollment. No need to wait for an upcoming course! Enroll now and you'll get immediate access to all content so you can get started right away. Upon enrollment, you will work at your own pace. We will guide every step along the way. We want to ensure you successfully complete the course.

+ Is this a 40-hour course?

Yes, upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion which states that you have satisfied the 40-hour requirements of the course.

It's important to understand the background of the "40-hour requirement." Decades ago, 40 hours became the benchmark for mediation training. While many of us within the field debate about whether 40 hours is sufficient or excessive, the reality is many entities still require a "40-hour Certificate of Completion." In response to this enduring necessity, we simply repackaged our traditional 40-hour classroom curriculum into an online course. So, while you may complete it within 40 hours, give or take a few hours, we assure you (and courts and other agencies who refer their students to our training) that we've not sacrificed anything from the classroom curriculum. Even better, this course exceeds the level of training you will get from any classroom setting, plus we offer bonus content so you can opt to learn well beyond the 40-hour content.

+ Is there an in-person classroom component?

There is no in-person component, but there are live sessions, all held online.

This course is entirely virtual, so you will participate from the convenience of your own space. You will be required to attend 12 live mediation simulations -- more than you would ever have in an in-person classroom setting -- which are held at various times throughout the week. We have a convenient scheduler to book those sessions to fit your busy life.

And, even better than a classroom setting, you will become part of a community of over 300 mediators worldwide, of all levels. You will be able to begin by observing other mediators practice their skills, then you will be assigned to participate as a "disputant" in a simulation and, once you are ready, we will have you mediate in the simulations. No other program offers the opportunity for mediators to learn in multiple, diverse, small group settings coached by experts.

+ Is there any live instruction or coaching?

Yes! This is the best part. While this course is entirely online, there are live components, which you schedule at your convenience.

For example, the mediation simulations are live. These are the culminating experience of your training and provide you with supportive professional coaching, feedback and interaction in small groups, with mediators from around the world with a variety of experience levels.

Take a look at our about page (click here) and you will see the expert team of coaches who you will meet in the live sessions. They come from diverse backgrounds, experiences and cultures. You won't find another professional team of mediators working in close proximity with you in any other mediator training program!

As an IMA New Mediator, you will be part of a global community of mediators, of all levels and backgrounds. You will begin the simulations by observing other mediators practice their skills. Next, you will be assigned to participate as a "disputant" in a simulation. Finally, once you are ready, we will have you mediate in the simulations.

This is the ultimate experiential learning environment! No other program offers the opportunity for mediators to learn in multiple, diverse, small group settings, coached by experts and scheduled at YOUR convenience!

+ How long will I have access to the content?

The duration of your access to the course will be specified in your purchase plan.

+ Will I be able to finish within the alotted time?

The course contains a planner designed to optimize your time, so that you can complete the course at your own pace and within your own busy schedule.

It's important that you plan your time wisely or enroll in one of the auto-renewal programs so you do not lose your progress in the course. If you are on a subscription plan, you can cancel upon completion of the course or it will auto-renew if you prefer to take more time. If you are uncertain how much time you may have available, we recommend opting into one of the longer-term subscription programs to optimize your investment.

Every mediator who has started this course has successfully completed it since we created the virtual platform in 2019. We have full confidence in our students and will make every effort to ensure your success!

+ What's on the Certificate of Completion?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion reflecting 40 hours of training. The certificate will be downloadable, complete with a serial number, IMA seal and the signature of IMA's CEO, Kate Otting.

+ What can I do with the certificate?

A Certificate of Completion in the IMA New Mediator may qualify you to mediate in most courts and it often satisfies continuing education requirements for professionals. In many places, there is no process to officially "certify" mediators. Participants should check with local jurisdictions to determine if the course meets the requirements of any specific programs in which you plan to use your skills. Many of our students are referred to our course by court administrators, so more than likely, this course will meet or exceed the requirements. There may be additional legal or commercial licensing requirements for you to set up a mediation business within your area. Contact the Association for Conflict Resolution to find your local ACR Chapter leaders, as they may have this information readily available.

+ How much can I make as a mediator?

Mediators charge anywhere from $50-$1000 per hour in the U.S. What you make will depend on your initial training, ongoing practice, personality, skill, grit, professionalism and local market, as with any field!

+ What equipment do I need for this course?

Because the course is online, you simply need a computer or mobile device with working video, mic and speakers. You must also have access to stable internet to complete the content and participate in each of the live 1-hour mediation simulations. You will also need to have a blank paper notebook for the course. There are optional downloadable documents, which you may wish to save or print.

+ Who should take this?

Anyone who wants to learn how to more confidently navigate conflict. Participants are taught essential conflict resolution, negotiation and listening skills. By the end of the course, you will learn how to mediate conflicts with ease, whether in the workplace, within your professions, in communities, in the classroom, within organizations, as a volunteer or as a parent. Being a third party interventionist requires not only the foundational training included in the self-paced portion of this program, but also the hands-on guidance, practice and support provided in the live simulations. If you intend to launch a profitable career as a mediator, we recommend the IMA New Mediator plus Master Mediator for ongoing live coaching and professional support to guide you.

+ Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, with a goal of expanding access to mediation and training, we offer a limited number of scholarships each quarter. We encourage you to apply here: Scholarship Request.

+ What if I am unhappy with this course?

We would never want you to be unhappy and, so far, we've only had satisfied participants in our courses! If you are dissatisfied, contact us within 14 days of your purchase and we will give you a full refund.

+ Can I get continuing ed credit?

This course may satisfy continuing education requirements (CLE, CEU, CPE, etc.) for attorneys, mental health professionals, teachers, accountants, as well as other professions. Because there are so many different jurisdictions, agencies and governing bodies, we have not partnered with any to specifically "offer" continuing education credit. In our two decades of training, however, we've not had a student come back to us stating they did not receive credit, but occasionally, the accreditation body or their employer requires a copy of the syllabus, which is available to you when you click on the course sales page. It is incumbent upon participants to check with the appropriate governing body, agency or jurisdiction to determine what is needed to satisfy their education requirements.

+ Are there prerequisites?

There are no prerequisites. People from all backgrounds take mediation training. The beautiful thing is that it does not require you to have special training or degrees. In fact, you'll hear some people with advanced degrees say they struggle to "unlearn" many of the things they've been taught before taking mediation training.

+ What can I do with mediation training?

For starters, you will learn how to more confidently engage in conflicts and manage conflicts between people. It can improve the way you supervise, manage, volunteer, parent or participate in your community. Many people take this course to launch a mediation practice, while others simply aim to boost skills in their current careers.

More than ever, conflict resolution skills have become essential to our everyday interactions. As you will learn in this course, however, most people fear conflict and lack the skills to navigate it. According to the World Economic Forum, negotiation and conflict resolution skills are critical to our survival in the current technical revolution.

No matter how you plan to apply the mediation skills you learn in this course, at a minimum, you should feel more confident about your ability to engage through and manage conflict.

+ Is this course approved by the courts?

This varies by jurisdiction, and in what capacity you plan to mediate. Will you be a volunteer for the courts? Do you want to be on a court-approved public roster? You will need to contact the particular court-related program ahead of time. In most cases this course does satisfy requirements of court-annexed mediation programs. We contacted ADR coordinators at several Arizona courts and, in spite of confusing language requiring participants to have proof of "approved" programs, they assured us they have no approval process and that our certificate has satisfied their requirements. In fact, many Arizona courts refer citizens to our training.

Bottom line: if you wish to mediate in your local courts, you must find out what their requirements are. You may also find that court approval is not necessary to set up your own mediation practice and mediate privately.

+ Is the Master Mediator worth the extra investment?

If you are at all thinking of either building an existing mediation practice or launching one from scratch, we advise you to enroll in the IMA New Mediator + Master combination. It provides you with the support, expert feedback and business tools you need to get started. Plus, you become part of an exclusive, private, supportive, dynamic community of mediators you won't find elsewhere.

We started the Master Mediator program because most mediators who wish to have a profitable practice find most 40-hour skills-based foundational training is not designed to help you launch a practice. If you take the IMA New Mediator course because it's a requirement for your workplace or you just want to gain some basic skills as a mediator, then the Master program would not be necessary. If you want to evolve as a professional mediator, and you want to avoid paying the full price of the Master program later, then the Master program is what you need. Alternatively, if you want to add on self-paced advanced content, without the addtional live support, the IMA New Mediator Pro may be just what you need.