Alternate dispute resolution intended to help avoid lawsuits
Feb 04, 2010 - 11:39 AM
DURHAM -- More people will soon be qualified in offering an alternative to settling disputes in court.
Starting this September, Durham College is offering a two-semester graduate certificate program in mediation/alternative dispute resolution. The new selection was approved by the school's board of governors during its recent meeting.
Alternative dispute resolution involves resolving conflicts outside of the judicial system through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other processes, instead of lawsuits. Research indicates groups are increasingly turning to alternative resolution techniques to resolve disputes in a more cost-effective way, according to the staff report. The new program is expected to increase enrolment at the college and is designed to appeal to recent graduates of other programs in its school of justice and emergency services, and from other colleges and universities. A college diploma or university degree is required for entrance.
In its first and second year, the program is expected to enrol 22 students, increasing to 30 in following years, said Judy Robinson, the college's vice-president of academic.
Currently, Durham College's school of justice has been offering two courses in the program for the last several years through weekend delivery: conflict resolution and advanced dispute resolution.
Tuition fees begin at $3,000 for the 2010-2011 school year and increase to $3,400 by 2014-2015, resulting in more revenue than cost from the program each year.
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