The Master of Science Degree in Mediation Studies is taught through the Department of Behavioural Sciences, St. Augustine Campus, UWI. The programme builds on the existing rigorous Post-Graduate Diploma in Mediation Studies and in the longer term, is an important basis for MPhil and Doctoral scholarship in Mediation and the development of research projects focusing on social issues in the country.
Mediation is a process where trained neutral persons in a confidential setting, facilitate the negotiations of parties in dispute to help them arrive at their own resolutions to the dispute. There has been increasing awareness by the public and among professionals of the need for mediation services and the rising costs of litigation, the length of time taken to deal with cases, as well as the perceived failure or damaging effects of litigation and arbitration, are some the factors that have prompted an increasing interest in mediation.