Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program is designed for professionals focused on interest-based bargaining. The course reviews the growth and application of settlement options in the United States, covering both traditional and non-traditional dispute resolution options. Participants will learn negotiation skills and how to select the most cost-effective and least intrusive ADR method to achieve the most positive result for both parties.

Course Outline

• Lesson One: ADR: History, Origins, and Growth
• Lesson Two: The Art Of Negotiation
• Lesson Three: The Mediation Process
• Lesson Four: Arbitration
• Lesson Five: Other Forms Of ADR
• Lesson Six: Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

Requirements

For each lesson, participants will submit a 50-point short answer/essay assignment covering the topics in that lesson's reading. Participants will complete two exams, each worth 100 points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with Lesson Three Assignments, and the Final exam is to be submitted with Lesson Six Assignments. Additionally, participants will post responses to six class participation assignments, referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions.

Grading

The final grade will be based on:

• Six writing assignments, worth 50 points each, comprising 40% of the grade
• Two exams, worth 100 points each, comprising 40% of the grade
• Participation in class participation assignments, comprising 20% of the grade

Designed For

The program is designed for business and HR professionals, paralegals (especially those interested in immigration law), and mediators looking to add to their skill set.

Program Details

Section Information

Multiple sections of the program are available, including:

• PLGL 0117 - E28 451: January 12, 2026, to February 27, 2026
• PLGL 0117 - E29 452: March 9, 2026, to April 24, 2026
• PLGL 0117 - E30 453: May 4, 2026, to June 19, 2026

Delivery Options

The program is offered as a Self-Guided Online course.

Course Fee

The course fee is $995.00, which does not include any required textbooks. A 10% discount is available for Mason Alumni.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

The program offers 4.5 CEUs. The continuing education unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized means to document participation in organized non-credit continuing education. One CEU is defined as 10 contact hours of participation in organized continuing education under qualified instruction.

Section Materials

Required textbook: ADR in a Nutshell by Jacqueline M. Nolan-Haley, West Publishing Co., 4th edition, ISBN 978-4. Optional textbook: Oran's Dictionary of the Law by Daniel Oran, 4th edition, ISBN 978-1.

Registration Deadline

Registration deadlines vary by section:

• PLGL 0117 - E28 451: January 11, 2026
• PLGL 0117 - E29 452: March 8, 2026
• PLGL 0117 - E30 453: May 3, 2026