Master of Laws in Family Dispute Resolution

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

1. Demonstrate competency in the knowledge, skills and values required for the practice of mediation and Family Dispute Resolution.
2. 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.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of contemporary Family Dispute Resolution practice including the importance of personal resilience, self-care and wellbeing.
4. Demonstrate high level legal reasoning, research, and communication skills to plan and execute substantial research-based projects within the context of family dispute resolution.

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 January 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 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.

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).

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $44,480

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

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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.

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.

May be recognised on application.

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