ADR Externship Program

Alternative Dispute Resolution Externship Program

The ADR Externship Program provides students with a unique opportunity to study dispute resolution processes from a practical as well as a theoretical perspective. The course is for advanced dispute resolution students who want an in-depth practical experience and an opportunity for research, writing and analyzing challenging topics in this area of study.

The ADR Externship Program Coordinator conducts the academic component (1 unit). It focuses on developing competence in advanced problems of dispute resolution such as psychological factors, systems design, game theory, risk assessment, ethical responsibilities of practitioners and public policy developments. For the fieldwork component, students work for 14 hours a week and receive 4 units of credit. (5 units total)

Past placements include: San Francisco Superior Court (systems design and development projects), The California Mediation and Conciliation Service (public employee labor disputes), SEEDS (community and other mediation), California Court of Appeals (mediator research), Marin Mediation Services (client intake and wide variety of mediations) and San Francisco ACCESS Program (Small Claims Court and other self-represented litigant mediations and related work).

Eligible students will have completed two ADR classes. The specific prerequisites may vary according to the needs of the placement.  However, it is recommended that students wishing to participate in the ADR Externship Program enroll in the Mediation Clinic, as the clinic offers training and experience in mediation that is useful for placement in an ADR Externship.  The Mediation class is suggested for those students who wish to gain a better understanding of mediation as it relates to the broader ADR context.