Advanced Family Mediation
This program is presented in workshop format as a 24-hour program over three weeks. Learning derives from lectures, group discussions, hands-on activities, and mock mediation exercises. The course culminates with the presentation of a “Certificate of Family Mediation” issued by UT San Antonio in recognition of successful course completion.
In accordance with Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 154.052(b), this 24-hour course will cover the basic principles of family law, child development, family violence and family dynamics:
- Overview of legal system and terms relating to family law
- Allocation of Resources
- Parenting Plans
- Family Systems and Dynamics
- Ages and Stages of Child Development
- Family Violence (4 hours)
- Practice Considerations
- Mediation Skills
The Mediator, functioning as an impartial third party, facilitates the negotiation between parties of a dispute and creates an environment for the parties to reach their own voluntary agreement. The Family Mediator assists with communication that moves the process forward, helps with generating options while identifying the participants individual and common interests.
Virtually anyone can benefit from learning conflict-prepared skills in an ever-increasing conflict-prone world; however, Family Mediation training would especially advantage those serving in professional career paths such as:
- Attorneys
- Educators
- Judges
- Law Enforcement
- Public Administrators
- Human Resources
The completion of the 40-hour UT San Antonio Mediator Certificate Program, or a similar program, is a prerequisite for enrollment in the Advanced Family Mediation Course.
Program Schedule
This program is presented in workshop format as a 24-hour program over three weeks. Learning derives from lectures, group discussions, hands-on activities, and mock mediation exercises.
-
Legal System and Terms Relating to Family Law
By the end of this lesson participants will be able to:
- Access substantive information regarding the Texas Family Code and other applicable laws
- Recognize when the assistance of other professionals might be helpful to the mediation process and to facilitate this discussion with the parties
-
Allocation of Resources and Parenting Plan
By the end of this lesson participants will be able to:
- Apply the substantive information encountered in family mediation when parties are creating their own voluntary agreement
- Facilitate problem solving between the parties, especially in the areas of divorce including, but not limited to, parenting, support, division of assets/liabilities, insurance, etc.
-
Family Systems, Dynamics and Violence
By the end of this lesson participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate an awareness of the consequences of divorce for adults and children
- Screen for appropriateness of mediation, including knowledge and ability to screen for domestic violence and an awareness of appropriate response(s) when domestic violence or its potential has been identified.
-
Professional Considerations
By the end of this lesson participants will be able to demonstrate:
- An awareness of theories and current research and literature underlying conflict and its resolution, and their applicability to family mediation
- Their understanding of what they’ve learned to date through instructor and peer assessments of efforts to mediate these mock disputes and interact with others and the instructor on observable skills learned and areas in need of more attention.
Meet the Instructor
Nancy Boyle, MS
Nancy is the managing partner of Forward Mediation®, Conflict Rescue®, and Ask a Mediator®, serving communities throughout Texas and New Mexico. She is a member of the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, the TX Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and is an Approved Trainer through the Texas Mediator Training Roundtable.
As a Credentialed Distinguished Mediator [Texas Mediator Credentialing Association] and a Certified Advanced Practitioner [Academy of Professional Family Mediators], Nancy is best known for her ability to supportively and efficiently help parties keep their conversation moving forward towards a resolution they can live with. She draws on years of high-quality mediation and facilitation experience to ensure thoroughness when handling the most difficult and contentious cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
The UT San Antonio Advanced Family Mediation Certificate is a 24-hour professional training program for individuals who have already completed basic mediation training. The course focuses on the legal, developmental, interpersonal and practical issues that arise in divorce, parenting, property and other family-related disputes. Participants learn through instructor-led lessons, group discussions, applied activities and mock family mediations.
Participants must complete a 40-hour basic mediator training program before enrolling in the Advanced Family Mediation course. The prerequisite may be satisfied through the UT San Antonio Mediator Certificate Program or a similar qualifying basic mediation program. Prospective students who completed training through another provider should confirm that their previous course satisfies the prerequisite before registering.
The UT San Antonio Advanced Family Mediation Certificate currently costs $600. Graduates of the UT San Antonio Mediator Certificate Program are eligible for a 10% alumni discount on the advanced course. Tuition covers the 24-hour instructor-led training experience. Participants should review the current registration listing for the latest tuition, discount requirements, course dates and payment deadlines.
The Advanced Family Mediation Certificate includes 24 hours of training completed over approximately three weeks. Course schedules may include three full Saturday sessions or a combination of weekday evening and Saturday meetings. Because the program includes live instruction, discussions and mock mediation exercises, participants should review every scheduled meeting date before registering.
Yes. The Advanced Family Mediation Certificate is delivered through a live virtual classroom. Participants attend scheduled online sessions, interact with the instructor and classmates, and take part in discussions and simulated mediations in real time. Students should have a reliable computer or tablet, internet access, audio and video capabilities, and a quiet setting suitable for participating in mediation exercises.
Participants study family-law terminology, the Texas legal system, allocation of property and financial resources, parenting plans, family systems, child development and family dynamics. The curriculum also includes four hours of family-violence education, screening for whether mediation is appropriate, professional practice considerations and techniques for helping parties identify interests, generate options and develop voluntary agreements.
Yes. The program includes hands-on activities and mock family mediations based on realistic disputes involving parenting, support, property, financial obligations and family dynamics. Participants practice facilitating communication, identifying individual and shared interests, screening for family violence and helping parties explore possible agreements. Instructor and peer feedback help participants identify strengths and areas that need additional development.
Successful participants receive a Certificate of Family Mediation from UT San Antonio. The course provides the 24 hours of advanced family mediation training described in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 154.052(b), but course completion alone does not automatically grant an independent mediator credential or guarantee court appointments. Credentialing organizations, courts and employers may establish additional education, experience, application or professional requirements. Learn how advanced family mediation training fits into the broader Texas mediator training pathway.
August 15 - 29, 2026
Saturdays, 7:30am-4:30pm CST
Virtual Classroom
The completion of the 40-hour UT San Antonio Mediator Certificate Program, or a similar program, is a prerequisite for enrollment in the Advanced Family Mediation Course.
Alumni who completed the Mediator Certificate program with PaCE are eligible for a 10% discount.
Students should bring a tablet, laptop, notebook, or other note-taking means.