调解是替代性争议解决（ADR）的一种形式。与仲裁不同，仲裁由中立的第三人听取双方的意见并做出决定，而调解则涉及中立的第三人，协助他人试图达成解决争端的协议。调解是合作和尊重的，它使个人有能力达成双赢的解决方案。
The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics and the Department of Political Science have combined to offer a certificate program in Applied Politics for graduate students. The certificate program in Applied Politics offers course work in the history, organization and management of campaigns intended to influence the outcome of political decisions. Working from a set of core courses, students are allowed to concentrate in the area of applied politics of greatest interest--campaigns, communications, lobbying, political parties, etc. Believing that democracy is best served by having active and informed citizens, the certificate is designed for all students, no matter what their degree program as long as they have a deep interest in practical politics.