Are these courses right for you?
If you want to work as a family justice counsellor or private family mediator, these courses can help you start gaining the knowledge and building the skills you need. They are also valuable for professionals who want a stronger understanding of family justice issues.
These are stand-alone courses, not a full program. Taking them alone will not meet all the requirements to become a family mediator or family justice counsellor.
These courses educate individuals on a range of family justice and family law matters during the process of separation and divorce. Topics include: the family justice system in B.C., substance use, family violence, working with diverse clients, and effects of separation and divorce on children and adults.
If you’ve been offered a position with the Family Justice Services Division (Ministry of Attorney General), please visit this page for more information.
People seeking training hours toward becoming a private family mediator or family justice counsellor.
Professionals, such as legal practitioners, who want to deepen their understanding of family justice.
Individuals working with families who are navigating separation, divorce, or related legal matters.
Program strengths
Meets select “family justice” training requirements under B.C.’s Family Law Act.
Courses taught by experienced instructors in family justice.
Flexible options for a variety of professional backgrounds.
Builds practical knowledge for real-world family dispute resolution.
Supports continuing professional development in related fields.
If you are interested in becoming a:
- Family justice counsellor – visit the Family Justice Academy
- Family mediator (private) - review the Family Law Act Regulation (S. 4 Family Law Mediators) or contact the applicable mediation organization to see their requirements for membership.
These courses cover key topics in family justice and family law during separation and divorce, including:
- The family justice system in B.C.
- Substance use and its impacts on families
- Family violence
- Working with diverse clients
- Effects of separation and divorce on children and adults
You’ll gain knowledge that can be applied directly when providing dispute resolution services in family justice or when working with families that are separating or divorcing.
Course Format
All courses are offered online.
Activities, self-tests, discussions, assignments and typically a final quiz are used in the courses to make the material relevant and practical to the student.
Computer skills are an asset.
Upcoming Family Justice Courses
Click on the links to the courses at the bottom of the page for upcoming course offerings and descriptions for each course.
If you are interested in becoming a family justice counsellor, please review the requirements to apply. This course schedule is not a list of course requirements to become a family justice counsellor.
There is no required application process to enrol in family justice courses.
You can register for courses online, or phone the JIBC Registration Office at 604.528.5590 (toll-free 1.877.528.5591), 8:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. weekdays.
Tuition
The tuition fees for each course vary depending on the number of course credits. Check the individual course descriptions for current tuition information.
There is no application process for these courses. These courses are available and open to all members of the public. You must first register as a student with the JIBC and then you are able to enrol in the family justice course you are interested in.
Taking these courses does not guarantee employment as a family justice counsellor nor fulfill all requirements to become a family mediator.
Admission Requirements
These courses are open to anyone. There are no formal admission requirements.
Your first step is to register as a student at JIBC. Then you can enrol in various family justice courses. You can see the costs and available dates for an individual course by clicking on the course below. You can also click 'register' and formally enrol in that course.
Course Requirements
Students must have access to a computer and an internet connection that meet JIBC's hardware and software requirements before starting the course. If you cannot meet the technology requirements and still choose to take this online course, performance may suffer noticeably. JIBC cannot be held responsible.
Q: I work full-time. How much time do these courses take?
A: Each course identifies the approximate amount of study hours required to complete the course. The time allocated is considered adequate for working adults to finish the course. However, a student can complete them in a shorter time period if they wish to do so.
Q: What do I need to apply for a position as a Family Justice Counsellor?
A: If you are interested in applying for a family justice counsellor position (Family Justice Services Division, Ministry of Attorney General), please review the information sheet.
COURSES
Note
The Ministry of Attorney General may give preference to family justice counsellor applicants who have completed courses marked with an asterisk *