..GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION (Frequently Asked Questions)
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WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TRAINING?

Anybody exposed to conflict or negotiation situations at work, home, or in social situations. For example:

  • Helping Professionals/Counselors
  • Child Welfare Workers (parent/teen conflict)
  • Teachers/Educator
  • Human Resource Managers/Supervisors
  • Police/Public Services Workers
  • Business and Industry (Employees, Managers)
  • Negotiators/Lawyers/Mediators/Arbitrators

Typical interest in our training ranges from those responsible to resolve conflict on the job, to professional Mediators, Negotiators and Arbitrators wanting to update or advance their skills, and to those who have general interest in improving communication skills in general. In addition, many companies have approved our training to satisfy annual Continuing Education Credits.

IS THERE A MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENT?

There is NO minimum education requirement to enroll in one of our individual courses or one of our three Certificate Programs; however pre-requisites must be met. Class participants come from a variety of backgrounds and interests and do not have to have a degree or prior conflict management training.

WHO RECOGNIZES AAMS’ TRAINING?

All courses are recognized by the ADR Institute of Canada, Inc. (formally the Alternate Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada, Inc.) as “approved study or training in conflict resolution generally” for the national designations of “Chartered Mediator,” "Qualified Mediator" or “Chartered Arbitrator.”

Many of our courses are accepted as “elective” credit in business management and human relations programs throughout the province.

We offer a 40 hour Divorce and Family Mediation training program that meets the educational requirements for the designation of Family Mediator in the province of Alberta.

IS THERE AN APPLICATION PROCESS IN ORDER TO ENROLL IN TRAINING?

There is no application process required to take individual courses or any one of the certificate programs. New students must complete the registration form and either fax or mail the completed form.

COURSES ON DEMAND

Is there a course you would like that is not offered when you want it? Just call AAMS and we will start a waiting list and put on any courses outside of the calendar.

COURSE EQUIVALENCY APPLICATIONS

AAMS allows up to six days of credit towards the Certificate in Conflict Management for courses taken outside the AAMS programs. Applicants must submit the following information to the Education Department in writing:

  • $75.00 per course equivalency (payable to Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society)
  • Course curriculum to be considered
  • State AAMS equivalency request
  • Proof of completion, including the number of training hours per course
  • Name of Instructor
  • Name of training institution
  • E-mail address for a response

Drop off your material or mail to:

Education,
Alberta Arbitration & Mediation Society
#605, 10707-100 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5J 3M1

education@aams.ab.ca

Members of the Education Committee will review your application. Please allow up to 30 days for a response.  Please advise the AAMS office if you require your materials back and you can make arrangements to pick it up or have it shipped.

APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT

Many of AAMS’ courses have been approved for continuing education credits with the following agencies:

  • Real Estate Council of Alberta
  • Alberta Insurance Council
  • Professional Home Builders Institute of Alberta
  • Social Workers ACSW (meets requirements of "Category A" credits)

If your agency would like to have our courses approved for your continuing education requirements, please contact the Education Department for details.

PRIVATE TRAINING

We provide customized training in-house for your employees. Some of the advantages are:

  • Customized course material and role-plays, specific to your environment
  • Instructor expertise matched to your company's need
  • Cost savings (groups of 16-20)
  • Train when you want /where you want

NB:  Please phone the AAMS office (780) 433-4881 or 1-800-232-7214 if you have a course need or idea, we will customize your training.

IS THERE AN APPLICATION PROCESS TO START TAKING COURSES?

No application is necessary.  Our program is flexible in that you can start any month you wish and may choose just one course or take them all towards a certificate.  Students can apply to have prior learning assessed for course equivalencies (please refer to Course Equivalency Applications section for additional information).

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS?

There are no time limitations between completing all course requirements and the Skills Assessment itself.  As this training is skill-based, it is very important for students to have sufficient opportunity to practice their skills and incorporate them into their dispute resolution techniques.  To that end, it is strongly recommended that students take up to two years to complete all course work in order to have sufficient time to practice and integrate the skills.

PRE-REQUISITES FOR NON-CERTIFICATE STUDENTS

Anyone can take individual courses for personal/professional development without being in a certificate program.  Check with AAMS if you have a question about the pre-requisites.  All AAMS courses may be credited by the students towards one of the AAMS Certificate Programs: Certificate Program in Conflict Management, Certificate Program in Arbitration, Certificate Program in Restorative Justice, and the Associate Certificate in Workplace Conflict or courses can be taken individually (provided pre-requisites are met).

IS A MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND REQUIRED?

Students enjoy our courses with little or no training or experience in conflict management to those currently practicing in the field. Our courses can be taken individually as an “outside” elective to supplement training in many undergraduate programs.

MEMBER RATE PRIVILEGES

Many students enjoy a $50 reduction in course fees by applying for membership with AAMS. Please note that membership discounts on course fees are only given providing the student is a current AAMS member at the time they enroll. Membership Applications may take up to a month to process.

Go to "ABOUT AAMS" - "MEMBERSHIP" for membership information and application form.