Professional Certificate in Mediation
Course Overview
Our Professional Certificate in Mediation aims to ensure that the student will be a confident, highly effective and self-reflective mediator, with advanced knowledge of the principles of mediation and the mediation process.
Recognised by two professional bodies, The Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (The MII) and the Irish Professional Mediators’ Organisation (IPMO). This programme has been developed for people who wish to become qualified mediators and is of great benefit to anyone who manages people or situations and may require dispute resolution skills.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Part-Time - February 2026
Course Highlights
- Recognised by two professional bodies, The Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (The MII) and the Irish Professional Mediators’ Organisation (IPMO), with whom our graduates can apply for membership on successful completion of the programme and meeting the requisite entry requirements.
- All material is included along with the Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) Assessment.
- Regular opportunities to role-play through different scenarios.
- Critical thinking, evaluation and reflective practice skills
- Opportunity to continue professional development with Dublin Community Mediation.
- Flexible study mode.
Why Study Mediation at Griffith College?
Our Professional Certificate in Mediation aims to ensure that the student will be a confident, highly effective and self-reflective mediator, with advanced knowledge of the principles of mediation and the mediation process. Benefits of the course include:
- Graduates of the Professional Certificate in Mediation are eligible to apply to the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (MII) and the Irish Professional Mediators' Organisation (IPMO)
- Part-time – blended study minimises disruption to existing work/life commitments.
- Individual Conflict Dynamics Profile (CDP) assessments are carried out as part of the programme. This unique assessment focuses specifically on conflict behaviours and provides learners with a tailored report that analyses their unique mediation style and gives customised feedback and tools to improve. Unlike other programmes, which require learners to undertake this costly assessment at an additional expense, the CDP is already built into our programme.
- Regular mediation practice (both formal and informal) is built into the programme, ensuring learners gain practical skills which they can immediately put into effect.
- All lecturers are experienced mediators and academics who engage in mediation on a day-to-day basis and therefore have the most up-to-date knowledge in the field.
- Learners will acquire other highly transferable skills which would be attractive to a wide range of business sectors, including advanced communication and listening skills.
- All materials will be provided and made available in class and through our online platform, Moodle.
What our students say
I loved Griffith College and the reason why I loved it so much was because of the Campus, the staff, the lecturers, the quality of the programmes along with the comradery of my fellow classmates. I did the Certificate in Mediation following the LL.B in Law here at Griffith College and my highlight has been the award for best academic achievement at this year's graduation.
Certificate in Mediation
"On completion I definitely possessed an advanced knowledge of the principles of mediation and the mediation process. Both Paul Pierse and Mary Lou O' Kennedy were outstanding in their delivery of the course; they made it both hugely interesting and fun with a great emphasis placed on team work. I would highly recommend this course!"
Certificate in Mediation
Course Details
The one-semester Professional Certificate in Mediation is run via blended learning, meaning there is a combination of both online and in-class learning (with in-class lectures taking place at the weekends only to allow minimal disruption to the normal working day). The course takes place over twelve weeks (February to April).
The lecturers are experienced mediators, academics and conflict management trainers with many years’ experience in both practice and education. They engage in mediation on a day-to-day basis and therefore have the most up-to-date knowledge in the field.
The graduates of this programme will be eligible to apply for membership to two mediation organisations, the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (The MII) and/or the Irish Professional Mediators’ Organisation (IMPO). The faculty will provide much pastoral care and career support. Upon completion of this programme, you will receive a Griffith College Certificate.
Modules
- Our perceptions of ‘conflict’: positive and negative
- Neuroscience of conflict
Conflict Analysis
- The conflict spiral: how unmanaged conflict escalates
- PIN model: Positions, Interests and Needs
Styles of Conflict Management
- The five styles of handling conflict
- Finding your conflict comfort zone
- Managing your style and avoiding going into excess
Dynamics of conflict
- Mapping a conflict: your experience of a conflict situation
- Self-awareness and self-management in conflict
- Constructive and destructive behaviours
- Conflict triggers and ‘Hot Buttons’
- Feedback on the Conflict Dynamics Profile
Reflective listening skills
- Picking up clues from body language
- Working with perceived reality: being heard, understood and acknowledged
- Reflective listening: the discipline of not adding anything
- Connecting with hurt and the emotional impact of conflict
- Learners are given in-depth exposure to the mediation framework, including all of the necessary aspects of procedure and process necessary to be able to successfully mediate
- Content spans from preparation for mediation to demonstration of the different types of meeting involved in mediation sessions: Initial Separate Meetings; Plenary Meetings; Caucus Meetings
The mediation process, skills practice through role play
- Rehearsing the introduction and storytelling stages
- Framing the issues and problem-solving stages
- Writing up the agreement
Issues in mediation
- Challenging destructive behaviour
- Prevention of power struggles between the mediator and the parties
- Coping with anger and provocative statements
- Coping with resistance
- Breaking an impasse
- Power balancing in mediation
Mediation legislation and ethical practice
- Introduction to the Mediation Act 2017
- Codes of Ethics · GDPR in Mediation
- Finalising agreements
The role of mediation in dispute resolution in Ireland
- The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process continuum
- The growth of mediation sectors in Ireland: community, family, workplace and commercial mediation
- The different mediation models used in each sector
- Paperwork preparation
- What to expect on the day
- After the assessment, submit of reflective assignment
- The opportunities upon successful completion of the programme
Course Contacts
- Dublin Main Campus
Timetables
Alternative display of contact hours:
Saturdays: February 7th & 28th, March 21st and April 18th
Wednesdays: Online webinars:
February 4th & 18th,
March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th,
April 1st and 15th
Assessment days: Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April (NB Learners will only need to attend one of these days, they will receive confirmation three weeks in advance which day they will be attending. In the meantime, all learners must keep both dates in their diaries)
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
All applications to this programme are managed by the College’s admissions team in line with the Quality Assurance and Enhancement procedures. Applicants for the programmes must meet the following entry requirements and provide the supporting documentation:
Mature Students (Over 23 Years)
Direct entry
Under 23 Years
· 5 O6/H7 grades in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent award
or
· QQI Level 5 Full Award
Or
· One year’s work experience
English Language
It is recommended that applicants have a good understanding of both written and spoken English.
*Non-native English speakers are not required to submit a copy of their IELTS test results or take an English-level test as part of the application process.
How to Apply
Click the Apply Now button below and fill in the application form , uploading a copy of the following;
- Photo I.D. (passport or driving licence)
- Detailed C.V.
- Transcripts from previous studies
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin - Main Campus
Irish/EU Living in Ireland: EUR 2,950
Please note: A minimum non-refundable deposit is required at the point of registration. Please see accompanying student fee information pack for further details.
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below. The fees below relate to Year 1 fees only.
Flexible payment options
Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: [email protected]
Cork
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College, Wellington Road, Cork
- Email: [email protected]
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Progression Opportunities
Graduates of this programme develop a versatile set of knowledge, skills, and competencies that are highly transferable across postgraduate study pathways and professional environments. While firmly rooted in mediation and dispute resolution, the capabilities gained extend far beyond the legal sphere. They can be applied across business, the social sciences, community development, human resources, and management - anywhere conflict may arise.
Students who complete this programme will be equipped with an in-demand skill set that is valued across sectors, including:
- Critical thinking and evaluation
- Independent learning and self-management
- Reflective practice and self-evaluation
- Conflict management and resolution strategies
- Professional communication and active listening
- Mediation techniques applicable to diverse contexts
These skills help graduates become effective communicators and valuable contributors in any workplace setting.
