Harvard Mediation Intensive
The Harvard Mediation Intensive from the Program on Negotiation (PON) at Harvard Law School is a five-day, 40-hour in-person mediation training program designed to help lawyers, judges, and professionals develop the practical skills and principled frameworks needed to mediate disputes effectively across a wide range of contexts.
Through interactive presentations, realistic role-play simulations, and real-world examples, participants explore the full arc of the mediation process.
This Harvard mediation program draws on PON’s four decades of research and teaching to deliver mediation training grounded in theory and practice.
You will work through a range of dispute contexts, including employment disagreements, business conflicts, and public or international disputes. Each day features lectures, facilitated discussions, small-group exercises, and structured simulations designed to sharpen your ability to manage the full range of challenges a mediator encounters.
Topics covered throughout the program include:
- Mediation principles and the stages of the mediation process
- Caucus theories and the strategic role of private sessions
- Interest-based negotiation and helping parties move from positions to underlying interests
- Ethical dilemmas in mediation practice
- Managing identity-based conflicts, bias, and stereotyping
- Working with strong emotions during mediation
- Building sustainable agreements
Participants who complete all sessions and the course evaluation receive a physical and digital certificate from the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, signed by PON Executive Committee Chair Professor Guhan Subramanian.
Who Should Attend
- 50,000+ Executives Trained Worldwide
- 95% Participant Satisfaction Rate
- Over 40 years of Groundbreaking Research
The Harvard Mediation Intensive is designed for professionals who want to add mediation skills to their practice or build a foundation as a working mediator. The program draws participants from across North America, including a strong contingent from Canada, and from more than 50 countries worldwide.
The program is well-suited for:
- Lawyers who want to expand into mediation practice or become court-recognized mediators
- Judges interested in overseeing court-based mediation programs or transitioning to professional mediation
- Executives, directors, and senior managers responsible for resolving workplace or organizational disputes
- Human resources professionals handling employee relations and internal conflict
- Professionals from healthcare, education, government, and nonprofit sectors who work in environments where mediation skills are valuable
- International practitioners seeking structured, research-based mediation training in English
Participants must be proficient in written and spoken English, as all instruction, discussion, and simulation work is conducted in English. A TOEFL written exam score of 570 is recommended as the minimum proficiency standard for non-native speakers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harvard Mediation Intensive
What is the Harvard Mediation Intensive?
The Harvard Mediation Intensive is a five-day, 40-hour in-person mediation training program offered by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. The program covers mediation principles, the stages of the mediation process, caucus strategy, interest-based negotiation, and approaches to identity-based and high-conflict disputes. Participants develop core mediator skills through a combination of expert instruction, facilitated discussion, and intensive simulation work.
Note: Some participants may need to meet basic certification requirements to become mediators. You can use HMI to apply to HAMI.
Who should attend the Harvard Mediation Intensive?
The Harvard Mediation Intensive is designed for lawyers who want to add mediation to their practice, judges interested in court-based mediation or professional mediator roles, and professionals from any field who want to develop substantive mediation skills.
What credential does the Harvard Mediation Intensive provide?
Participants who attend all sessions and complete the course evaluation receive a physical and digital certificate from the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School. A letter of completion and detailed course agenda are also available for those seeking further professional accreditation or court recognition.
Does the Harvard Mediation Intensive qualify lawyers to become certified mediators?
The Harvard Mediation Intensive provides substantive mediation training and a certificate of completion from PON at Harvard Law School. Requirements for mediator certification, court panel eligibility, and authorized mediator status vary by jurisdiction.
How much does the Harvard Mediation Intensive cost?
Tuition for the five-day Harvard Mediation Intensive is $6,997.
What is the best mediation training program for lawyers?
The Harvard Mediation Intensive is widely regarded as one of the best mediation training programs for lawyers and legal professionals. The program combines rigorous academic grounding with intensive practice through realistic simulations, direct faculty feedback, and peer-to-peer learning.
Take the Next Step in Mediation Training
The most effective mediators combine principled frameworks with intensive practice.
The Harvard Mediation Intensive gives you both. In five days, in person, at one of the world’s leading centers for negotiation and dispute resolution research.
