This course will discuss the different types, various causes, and outcomes of conflicts. You will learn about common conflict-handling styles and how to resolve disagreements effectively. You will study the five stages of negotiation and the process of Alternative Dispute Resolution including its benefits as a conflict resolution method. You will learn how to prepare for an ADR process, what to expect from an ADR process, and how confidentiality is maintained during an ADR process.

You will then learn about important features of alternative dispute resolution including the goals and possible uses of ADR. The course will teach you when to implement ADR programs, the different ADR limitations, and the important background conditions that will help achieve a successful ADR program. You will also study the key preparation criteria and implementation criteria which are important when designing an ADR program.

More and more people are utilizing Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures such as arbitration, mediation, or negotiation to settle different issues in the area of labor, divorce, and personal injury. Unlike adversarial litigation, ADR procedures are often collaborative and allow the parties to voice out their true opinions. ADR also allows the parties to come up with more creative solutions to settle their disputes. By taking this course, you can get up to speed on this highly important set of procedures.