The Program on Negotiation (PON) at Harvard Law School offers mediation programs designed to help professionals strengthen mediation, conflict resolution, and dispute management skills across workplace, legal, business, and international settings.
The goal of mediation is for a neutral third party to help disputants come to a consensus on their own. Rather than imposing a solution, a professional mediator works with the conflicting sides to explore the underlying interests beneath their positions. The Program on Negotiation offers a number of mediation programs that will provide you with core mediation skills.
IN-PERSON
Led by mediation experts Audrey Lee and Alain Lempereur, the Harvard Mediation Intensive delves into mediation principles and processes through interactive presentations and hands-on exercises. From employment and business disagreements to public and international conflicts, you will discover effective ways to enable parties to settle their differences across a variety of contexts. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM 
ONLINE
This highly-interactive, online course is designed to raise your awareness of your own approach to conflict, introduce a range of theories about mediation and participatory processes, and improve your conflict management skills. While we will discuss a wide range of dispute resolution processes that involve third parties, we will focus on mediation. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
IN-PERSON
This intensive, practice-oriented Advanced Mediation Program is designed for experienced mediators seeking to deepen their expertise and expand their toolkit for handling complex, high-stakes, and cross-cultural disputes. Through a combination of interactive lectures, role plays, group exercises, and real-world case studies, participants will gain advanced techniques and strategic approaches to navigate the nuanced dynamics of modern mediation. … LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Mediation Program Comparison
Harvard Mediation Intensive
- Format: In-Person
- Ideal For: Professionals seeking foundational mediation training
- Key Focus Areas: Mediation principles, conflict resolution, participatory processes, employment and business disputes
- Experience Level: Foundational
Semester Mediation and Conflict Management
- Format: Online
- Ideal For: Professionals interested in mediation theory and conflict management
- Key Focus Areas: Mediation theory, conflict management, participatory processes, dispute resolution
- Experience Level: Foundational to Intermediate
Harvard Advanced Mediation Intensive
- Format: In-Person
- Ideal For: Experienced mediators and dispute resolution professionals
- Key Focus Areas: Complex disputes, power imbalances, impasse breaking, cross-cultural mediation
- Experience Level: Advanced
Mediation Program FAQs
How to become a professional mediator?
Becoming a professional mediator typically involves completing mediation training, developing conflict resolution skills, and gaining practical experience working through disputes and difficult conversations. Many professionals begin with foundational mediation courses before advancing into more specialized or advanced mediation programs focused on complex disputes, workplace conflict, or cross-cultural mediation.
Professionals pursuing mediation careers often come from backgrounds in law, business, human resources, education, healthcare, government, or dispute resolution.
What is a mediation program?
A mediation program is a professional training experience designed to help individuals develop mediation, communication, and conflict resolution skills. Mediation programs often combine theory, interactive exercises, simulations, case studies, and group discussion to help professionals manage disputes more effectively and guide parties toward collaborative solutions.
Who should consider a mediation program?
Mediation programs are valuable for professionals who regularly manage conflict, facilitate difficult conversations, or oversee dispute resolution processes. Attendees often include lawyers, mediators, HR professionals, managers, consultants, executive coaches, educators, nonprofit leaders, and government professionals.
Programs may be appropriate for both individuals seeking foundational mediation skills and experienced practitioners looking to deepen advanced dispute resolution capabilities.
What is the difference between foundational and advanced mediation programs?
Foundational mediation programs focus on core mediation principles, communication strategies, and dispute resolution frameworks. Advanced mediation programs are designed for experienced professionals and typically explore more complex topics such as power imbalances, impasse breaking, process design, and cross-cultural mediation dynamics.
Are mediation courses worth it for professional development?
Yes. Mediation courses can help professionals strengthen communication, negotiation, leadership, and conflict management skills that are valuable across industries and professional settings. Many organizations also use mediation and conflict resolution training to improve workplace communication, manage disputes more effectively, and support leadership development initiatives.
