Harvard Mediation Program

HMP is committed to a comprehensive program of learning, practice and teaching opportunities for its members.

New mediators will be offered the following program:

Small-claims court mediation training. This 32-hour interactive training is the basic experience of all members.
Small-claims court practice in a local district court. New trainees will mediate at least once every other week.
Office hours. Students will do office hours once every other week for a semester.
Roundtables, guest speakers and panels. Continuing mediation education experiences will be offered periodically and all new mediators are urged to attend.
Outside training. New trainees are provided the opportunity to help provide workshops for student groups and non-Harvard organizations in mediation skills.

After the first semester, mediators may choose involvement in a variety of ways:

Advanced training and practice. Between 8 and l6 hours of training in a specialized area such as eviction cases, parent/child cases, minor criminal disputes and self-referrals. Cases will be co-mediated with experienced mediators.
Divorce mediation. Train and mediate through clinical placement at Legal Services Center.
On-site coordination. Orchestrate advanced cases.
Train new mediators. Work at least one full day as trainer under the supervision of HMP's training directors. Run/assist in presentations or role-plays.
Board of student directors. The Board can be joined second and third years. The Board decides HMP policy issues. They develop and run HMP projects. Board members attend regular meetings.
Court liaison. Members with considerable experience are eligible to become liaisons. Liaisons introduce new mediators to court and run feedback sessions. They establish/maintain positive relationships with the court. They orchestrate mediations during assigned sessions.
Outside training. Experienced members can organize and conduct workshops for student groups and non-Harvard organizations in mediation skills.