L A Hughes & Associates

The Mediation Program at Antelope Valley College, Corporate & Community Education Division, Lancaster, CA

The Mediation Program

Corporate & Community Education (CCE)

Program & Enrollment Information

Q:  What is The Mediation Program?

A:  The Mediation Program is a series of conflict resolution courses taught by L A Hughes.  They are designed to be taken individually to address specific needs or all five courses in the series may be taken to achieve the 40-hour Certificate by individuals who wish to enhance existing careers or become career mediators.

Q:  What is the cost of The Program?

A.  The registration fee for each of the three 3-hr introductory courses is $35.  The 24-hr skills training fee is $125.  The final 7-hr seminar is $55, bringing the total cost of the Certificate track to $285. The Mediation Program at AVC is one of the lowest cost full training programs available anywhere and has the added convenience of pay-as-you-go rather than lump sum payment.

Q:  Are there any pre-requisites?

A.  No, there are no pre-requisites, but students who are under age 18 must have written parental consent.

Q:  Is college credit offered?

A:  No college/academic credit is offered in the Corporate & Community Ed division. However, continuing education or professional development credit may be offered on request.  MCLE accreditation is pending.  At the instructor's discretion, a certificate may designate With Honors for extraordinary achievement.

Q.  Does the Certificate satisfy any industry requirements?

A.  The school or division makes no representations that the Mediator Certificate satisfies any industry requirements. Industry standards for mediators vary according to the industry where applied, but most agree that 30 to 40 hours of basic training is the minimum for entry level positions and/or community volunteers.  (See

Bus. & Professions Code Sec. 465 et seq.) For example, Los Angeles Superior Courts require 40 hours, but also requires a Bachelor Degree for non-attonrey mediators.  As with most vocations and professions, both experience and continuing education are desirable and/or expected.

Q.  Are the courses in the program offered every semester? 

A.  Each class in the series is offered once in the Spring and once in the Fall, but may be canceled for low enrollment (less than 10).  Interested persons should register at least two weeks prior to the start of the class they wish to attend in order to prevent cancellation and delay in completing Certificate requirements. Classes are capped at 20 to allow for effective group interaction and performance evaluation.

Q.  What days do the classes meet?

A.  All classes in the series meet on Saturdays, either half days or full 8-hour days.  The three Intro classes meet for three hours each on three consecutive Saturday mornings.  The 24 hour skills course meets on three consecutive Saturdays for 8 hours each plus a half hour lunch break (brown bag lunch recommended.)  The final course in the series is a full day class meeting.

Q.  Are there any required textbooks or outside reading?

A.  No, there is no required text.  There is a recommended reading list.  Handouts and supplemental materials are supplied in the classroom.  Participants pay a nominal materials fee at class.

Q:  Does the instructor have office hours when she can be contacted.

A.  No, CCE instructors do not have campus offices or office hours.  However, prospective enrollees may contact the coordinating instructor for the Mediation Program, Linda Hughes, at lahughes48@aol.com or (323) 314-1772.  Or go to the website, www.lahughes.com (under construction). The class schedule is available in the Student Services tab at www.avcollege.edu.

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