Postgraduate BND-FDR-MAS-2023

Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution

Expertise to resolve parenting and family property disputes

Delve into the mediation process and refine your approach to supporting vulnerable people. You’ll work on advanced legal research techniques and writing skills. Graduate ready for accreditation, registration, and professional practice in family mediation.

Available loans

Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

Total subjects

Price

From

$5,310

Study method

Online & on-campus

Assessments

100% online

Credit available

Yes

Applications Close

No dates available

Bond University does things differently. Your lecturers will know you and your tutors will invest time in you, so that your learning will get the attention it deserves. It's this individual approach that the university believes sets them apart. It's also why, for 13 years running, Bond University has received the highest possible ranking for student experience in Australia from the independent Good Universities Guide.

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Degree details

What you'll learn

By the end of the Program, students of the Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution, are able to:

Demonstrate competency in the knowledge, skills and values required for the practice of mediation and Family Dispute Resolution.
Demonstrate professionalism while working with clients and colleagues in the field, such as other Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners, practising lawyers, government officers and critically reflect upon professional experience.
Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of contemporary Family Dispute Resolution practice including the importance of personal resilience, self-care and wellbeing.
Demonstrate high level legal reasoning, research, and communication skills to plan and execute substantial research-based projects within the context of family dispute resolution.

Career opportunities

Successful completion of the Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution will allow you to gain accreditation as a Mediator through the National Mediations Standards Board (NMAS) and a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with the Federal Attorney General's Department. Graduates can work as a:

Mediator
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Conflict Resolution Professional

Professional recognition

The Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution will equip graduates with the necessary qualifications to apply to the relevant accreditation bodies for accreditation. This includes the National Mediations Standards Board (NMAS) and the Federal Attorney General's Department. This process is managed by individual graduates.

Entry requirements

Higher education

Successful completion of an Australian Qualification Framework Level 7 equivalent bachelor's degree in either law, psychology, social work, conflict management, mediation or dispute resolution from an approved institution.

English Proficiency Requirements

As tuition is delivered in English, all students will be required to provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language.

Practicum placement

Family Dispute Resolution 2 is based on the clinical requirement to complete 50 hours of supervised family dispute resolution practice.

Credit for previous study or work

May be recognised on application.

Description

The Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution, suitable for both law and non-law graduates, focuses on the impact of separation and divorce on families, as well as the management and resolution of post-separation parenting and property disputes. Students can select to start in either January or September of each year. The Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution is ideal for anyone who wishes to become an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) as it satisfies the requirements for accreditation through the National Mediation Accreditation System (NMAS) and the requirements for registering as an FDRP with the Federal Attorney General's Department.

The program covers both the theory and practice of family dispute resolution to ensure that graduates have a deep knowledge and sophisticated skill set, for practising as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. The program will be of interest to non-lawyers, social workers and psychologists, who wish to enhance their theoretical knowledge and develop family dispute resolution process skills and strategies. The program will also be of interest to law graduates who wish to practise in family law and related areas.

Degree structure details

Recommended Study Pattern

The Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution is a four semester, 80 credit points part-time postgraduate program. The course is delivered in mixed mode delivery.

LAWS77-801: Mediation and Dispute Resolution Practice 1
LAWS77-802: Mediation and Dispute Resolution Practice 2
LAWS77-803: Family Dispute Resolution 1
LAWS77-804: Family Dispute Resolution 2
LAWS77-773: Dispute Resolution: Theories and Principles
LAWS77-772: Dispute Resolution: Practice and Procedure
LAWS77-808: Negotiation in Family Dispute Resolution
LAWS77-809: Vulnerable Parties in Family Dispute Resolution

Award Requirements

To qualify for the award of Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution, students must complete 80 credit points.

Exit Points

Graduate Certificate in Family Dispute Resolution (completion of the first four subjects).