"Which course do I take first and how do I get certified?"

No License Required
Some professions require State-approved licenses such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), however, there is no state-required license for mediation. The State of Texas requires only 40 classroom hours of training to mediate court-appointed cases. Introduction to Mediation is the El Centro College course that fulfills this requirement. To mediate divorce and family cases, the State requires additional training. El Centro's course that fulfills this requirement is Introduction to Divorce Mediation.

You get certificates but no "Certified Mediator"
At the end of our courses you will receive certificates of completion. This is all you need to verify to clients or others that you have completed any required classroom training. However, we caution our students not to refer themselves as "Certified Mediators" because this may be misleading to potential clients in that they may conclude that you are claiming to be licensed.

Conflict Resolution Profession
Of course, we here at El Centro believe that it is important to acquire additional training far beyond the minimum requirements of the State. Conflict Resolution is a profession and to become a professional one must combine extensive training and practice. We can provide a lot of training and some practice in our program. We have a full array of courses in our Conflict Management Certificate Certificate program that requires the student to complete nine courses. Most students begin with either Introduction to Mediation or Introduction to Conflict Dynamics taught at the beginning of each semester at El Centro. Then many students go on to take Introduction to Divorce Mediation. By taking those three courses, you will be in a good position to determine if you want to complete the full Conflict Management Certificate program.

When are classes taught?
Most of our courses are taught for only 5 days (8am-5pm) stretched out over three successive weekends on combinations of Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. There are also a few online and/or out-of-class activities required. Please see the links to the class schedules and the curriculum at the home page of mediationADR.net.

How do I enroll?
You can take the courses for college credit or for continuing education (CE). If you already have a B.A. degree, it is easiest to enroll as a CE student. No matter how you enroll, the actual course content is exactly the same. If you do not have at least a B.A. degree we suggest that you take our courses for college credit. The only difference is the way the course is recorded on your official DCCCD records.

• SOCI (academic transfer) Courses
  Some of our courses are taught for sociology credit which means that your college credit will more likely transfer to four year universities. Those courses are listed with the prefix: SOCI (e.g. SOCI 1273.4221).
• DRCM Credit Courses
  If you want college credit but are NOT interested in transfering to a 4 year institution, we suggest that you enroll in courses with the DRCM prefix followed by four digit course number and a FOUR digit section number (e.g. DRCM 1372.5221).
• DRCM Continuing Education Courses
  If you already have a degree it is easier and more efficient to take the classes as Continuing Education with the DRCM prefix followed by FIVE digit section number (e.g. DRCM 1072.55201)

To enroll for college credit go to our Admissions office on the first floor. Admissions phone is 214-860-2311. With certain restrictions students may register online. Click here to see requirements for online registration.

To enroll for Continuing Education CEUs call 214 860-2260. You may register on the phone with a credit card.