Mediation and Negotiation, Graduate Certificate Graduate Certificate
The Department of Communication, in cooperation with the Master's in Human Resources and Labor Relations (MHRLR) and the Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business, offers the Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation. The program of study is designed to provide practical and theoretical knowledge for students who wish to pursue or advance careers that involve managing or resolving disputes in organizational, educational, community, or family contexts. The program is designed to meet the increasing need of business, organized labor, public sector, and community organizations for people with skills in conflict resolution.
Using an interdisciplinary approach, the program offers a basic knowledge of mediation and negotiation between individuals and across organizations, allows some specialization in further coursework, and is integrated with a final course involving either field-work or a research paper written under the direction of an expert in the area. Students can complete the Graduate Certificate in Mediation and Negotiation while enrolled either part-time or full-time.
With the approval of the program, students admitted to either the Master of Arts in Communication or the Master of Human Resources and Labor Relations degree program may apply courses taken to meet certificate requirements toward their degree.
Program Type
Graduate Certificate
Program Format
On Campus
Graduate Certificate Programs
Graduate certificate programs are open to any graduate student at UWM working towards any master’s or doctoral degree. They can be earned alongside one of these degrees or can be earned as a standalone certificate without having to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree. Students who wish to enroll in a standalone graduate certificate program must have completed a bachelor’s degree and meet the prerequisites for that particular graduate certificate program.
The prerequisites for the graduate certificate in International Human Resources and Labor Relations include a college GPA of at least 2.75 and completion of a college economics class and a statistics class. The prerequisite for the graduate certificate in Mediation and Negotiation is a college GPA of at least 2.75.
Credits and Courses
The certificate requires 12 credits, including 9 credits of coursework and 3 credits of field work or research.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| COMMUN 665 | Introduction to Mediation | 3 |
| ECON 753 | Collective Bargaining | 3 |
| Elective | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| IND REL 715 | Workplace Dispute Resolution | |
| BUS ADM 737 | Managerial Decisions and Negotiations | |
| Field Work or Research Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| COMMUN 998 | Communication Internship | |
| COMMUN 999 | Independent Study | |
| IND REL 801 | Research Project in Industrial and Labor Relations | |
| IND REL 921 | Internship in Industrial Relations | |
| IND REL 999 | Independent Study | |
| BUS ADM 799 | Reading and Research | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Recommended or Related Courses
Not required for the Certificate.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMMUN 823 | Seminar in Small Group Communication | 3 |
| ED POL 510 | Human Relations for Community Organizations & Community Engagement | 3 |
Application to all graduate programs are completed through the UWM Graduate School. Please see their website for detailed information about the application process and contact them with questions.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Eligibility and Admission
Students applying for the Certificate Program in Mediation and Negotiation must hold a bachelor’s degree and must have earned a 2.75 GPA overall or must furnish substantial evidence of ability to succeed in graduate-level work.
Application
- Students wishing to obtain this certificate must declare their intention by applying to the program office or director.
- All graduate certificate applicants—even those already enrolled in a UWM graduate program—must apply to the Graduate School.
- Graduate degree and previously admitted graduate non-degree students who decide to pursue a certificate program must submit the application before completing 6 credits in the certificate sequence.
- Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree and have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average to be admitted into a certificate program.
For more information about tuition and fees for Graduate Students, visit the Student Financial Services site.
The assistant director of the MHRLR Program advises and supervises newly admitted students. The assistant director, in consultation with the student, reviews the student’s academic background and career goals and then designs an appropriate program of study consistent with degree requirements.