Family Mediation Certificate Courses

Learn how to effectively mediate family disputes, separations, child custody issues, and divorces. Develop practical skills in conflict resolution, facilitation, and managing complex family dynamics.

Accredited by the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM), ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC), and ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO). Meets requirements for Family Mediation Canada (FMC).

Family Mediation Certificate Overview

Given the high rates of separation and divorce in Canada, the practice of family mediation has become an integral resource to settle family disputes – without costly legal fees.

The Family Mediation certificate equips students with the necessary theory and skills to mediate a wide range of family disputes. The online format makes it easy to attend lectures and complete assignments around your schedule.

In this training, you will learn:

  • The elements and stages of the family mediation process
  • The fundamentals of family law related to mediation
  • How to screen parties for abuse, power imbalances, or violence, and ensure they are appropriate candidates for mediation
  • Practical techniques for managing emotions and facilitating discussion
  • The physical, cognitive, social, and emotional impact of separation and divorce on children and parents
  • How to reinforce positive reciprocal relationships through the practice of mediation
  • Ethical principles and codes of conduct for family mediators
  • How to draft a Memorandum of Understanding and a Separation Agreement

Role–Play and Family Mediation Simulations

The Family Mediation certificate includes over 18 hours of mandatory role play in accordance with OAFM requirements. All students will participate in:

  • Simulations of family mediations, conducted via video conference with the instructor and fellow classmates
  • Role plays on how to screen candidates for family mediation

Become an Accredited Family Mediator (AccFM)

Please note there are additional requirements to become an Accredited Family Mediator – click for a complete list.

Achieve your Cert.FRM Certification 

Please note there are additional requirements to achieve your Cert.FRM designation – click for a complete list 

Specialized Mediation Training 

The Advanced Family Mediation class is accredited by the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and fulfills 21 hours of the specialized mediation and related training education requirement for the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation (40 total are required).

Please note there are additional requirements to become a Qualified Mediator – click for a complete list.

Family Mediation Career Paths

Family mediation can be used to settle a wide variety of disputes. Areas of practice and specialization include:

  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • Division of property
  • Child custody
  • Parenting and decision making
  • Support payments
  • Elder mediation

Accredited family mediators can work independently or join a mediation practice.

Course Schedule and Format

Instructor-Led Format

(Synchronous Components)
Instructor-led courses follow a set class schedule with a dedicated instructor and classmates. Students have weekly deadlines but can work on assignments and readings when it works best for their schedule. The instructor posts in the discussion forum and hosts live online lectures and role plays via video call each week. Students can use those opportunities to discuss assignments, industry topics, etc. with their instructor and peers.

Note: This instructor-led course requires mandatory participation in weekly role-play and mock mediation scenarios.

Live Session Schedule

Live sessions take place via video conference call every Tuesday and Wednesday. Please note that these times and days are subject to change with notice. In the event a student misses a mandatory session, alternative arrangements may be made available. Contact admissions for the upcoming schedule based on your desired start date.

**Classes will not take place from December 16 – 29, 2024 for Christmas Break. Live sessions on December 31 and January 1 will be rescheduled to January 2 and 3, 2025.**

Foundations of Family Mediation
4 weeks
6:30 – 9:00 PM EDT, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (mandatory) 

Advanced Family Mediation
2 weeks
Tuesdays 6:30 – 9:00 PM EDT, Wednesdays 6:30 – 9:30 PM EDT (mandatory) 

Family Law
2 weeks
6:30 – 8:30 PM EDT, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays (mandatory) 

Family Relations
2 weeks
6:30 – 9:00 PM EDT, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (mandatory) 

Screening for Family Violence, Abuse & Power Balances
2 weeks
6:30  – 9:00 PM EDT, Tuesdays and Wednesdays (mandatory) 

(4 weeks, 40 hours)

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), which spans facilitation, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, adjudication, and litigation. Participants in this course will explore the history and goals of mediation and the elements of the mediation process. This course examines the role of a mediator and delivers an overview of the skills necessary to successfully mediate.

This course introduces you to the concepts, skills, and techniques needed to mediate disputes: determining whether mediation is appropriate, guiding the process, managing emotions, and using communication skills.

Mediation is a practical method for helping people resolve their conflicts and attain mutually satisfactory outcomes. You will mediate simulated disputes involving parents, children, extended families, in-laws, neighbours, and step-parents. Emphasis is on skill development through simulated mediations assisted by OAFM-accredited family mediators.

This course is accredited for 16 hours of training required by Family Mediation Canada (FMC) for the Cert.FRM designation.

(21 hours, 2 weeks)

Participants will be introduced to advanced issues encountered throughout a family mediation. They will begin to apply mediation theory and skills to the mediation process through role playing, discussions, and reflective journaling.

Participants will be exposed to the ethical principles and codes of conduct and ethics related to the field of mediation. They will learn the components of drafting a memorandum of understanding and a separation agreement.

Advanced Family Mediation goes into detail about how problem-solving strategies can be supported to facilitate communication and to make decisions relevant to resolving a family dispute.

This course includes 10.5 hours of live/synchronous sessions with the instructor.

This course is accredited for 10.5 hours of training required by Family Mediation Canada (FMC) for the Cert.FRM designation.

(21 hours, 2 weeks)

The genesis for family law in Ontario is England. To understand family law in the province of Ontario, it is necessary to understand the legal system’s evolution within English-speaking nations. This course will discuss and provide a detailed overview of family law in the province of Ontario. Marriage & divorce will be discussed with specific reference to the Marriage Act, the Constitution Act 1867, the Ontario Children’s Law Reform Act R.S.O 1990, the Child, Youth and Family Services Act 2017, and the Family Law Act R.S.O 1990.

This course is accredited for 15 hours of training required by Family Mediation Canada (FMC) for the Cert.FRM designation.

(21 hours, 2 weeks)

Understanding the structure and dynamics of a family is important to the practice of family mediation. This course will discuss family systems theory and highlight the impact separation and divorce can have on the family unit–specifically, the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional implications on children and the parents. Students should gain insight into the renegotiated family unit and learn about the impact this life change can have on all relationships involved. Students will learn how to reinforce positive reciprocal relationships through the practice of mediation.

This course is accredited for nine hours of training required by Family Mediation Canada (FMC) for the Cert.FRM designation.

(21 hours, 2 weeks)

Mediation requires that all parties are screened to be sure they are appropriate candidates for mediation. Parties must be able to negotiate safely, voluntarily, and competently, free of danger & harm from the other. All parties must enter voluntarily. The screening process is vital for the safety of the parties and the mediator. This will be discussed in exhaustive detail. This course includes 8.4 hours of live/synchronous sessions with the instructor.

This course is accredited for 14 hours of training required by Family Mediation Canada (FMC) for the Cert.FRM designation.

Instructors

Meet our industry-expert instructors.

Overview

START DATES
2025: January 13, March 24
TOTAL PROGRAM LENGTH
12 Weeks (124 academic credit hours)
DELIVERY
Online (Instructor Led)
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT
Post-secondary education (degree or diploma) OR experience in a related field

Ready to start?

Certificates and individual classes start frequently!

Accrediting Associations

 

Accreditation and Recognition

Read our guide to mediation/arbitration designations in Canada for a helpful breakdown. 

Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM) – Accredited Family Mediator Designation (AccFM)

  • The Family Mediation certificate is accredited and meets the five approved courses required for the OAFM AccFM designation. Review a complete list of requirements to become an Accredited Family Mediator.

Family Mediation Canada (FMC) – Certified Family Relations Mediator Designation (Cert.FRM) 

  • The Family Mediation certificate fulfills 64.5 of the required hours needed for the FMC Cert.FRM. Review a complete list of requirements to become a Certified Family Relations Mediator.

Specialized Mediation and Related Training Education Requirement for ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC) and ADRIC Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) designation 

  • The Advanced Family Mediation class fulfills 21 hours of the specialized mediation and related training education requirement for the Q.Med designation (40 total are required). Review a complete list of requirements to become a Qualified Mediator.

Who Should Take the Certificate?

Our mediation students come from diverse professional backgrounds. We work with:

  • Mediators looking to specialize in family mediation
  • Lawyers and individuals with a legal background
  • Non-lawyers seeking to become professional mediators
  • Business managers and HR professionals
  • Educators
  • Union representatives
  • Government officials

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

  • Post-secondary university degree or college diploma; OR
  • Relevant professional experience

Tuition

Family Mediation Individual Classes

The chart below outlines the cost of the Family Mediation classes if you choose to take them individually. Once you register for three or more classes within a certificate, you will be charged the non-refundable $200 registration fee. Individual classes must be paid in full at time of registration – click here to register for an individual class.

Family Mediation Certificate

A $200 non-refundable registration fee is charged when you register for an entire certificate. We offer a payment plan for tuition of three equal payments of $998 at week 1, week 5, and week 9, which will be automatically charged to your method of payment unless otherwise coordinated with accounting.

Kompass Alumni and Corporate Training Discounts

Students who successfully complete a certificate with Kompass are eligible for 20% off future certificates and classes. Group and employer discounts and custom corporate training options are available for three or more students.


Textbooks

*Students are responsible for purchasing these additional printed OR digital textbooks

The Family Dispute Resolution Handbook, 6th Edition + USB  (print or digital – $145)

Canadian Family Law 9/e (print or digital $85- $136)

Courses
Individual Cost
Foundations of Family Mediation (4 weeks - 40 hours)
$731
Advanced Family Mediation (2 weeks- 21 hours)
$599
Ontario Family Law (2 weeks - 21 hours)
$432
Family Relations (2 weeks - 21 hours )
$432
Online Dispute Resolution Workshop – Mediation (4 hours )
$299
Screening for Family Violence, Abuse & Power Balances (2 weeks – 21 hours )
$766