Child Advocacy Studies - Advanced Cert.

Child Advocacy Studies - Advanced Cert.

Department of Education

Office:  Thompson Hall

[phone]

Laura Geraci, Program Coordinator
email:  [e-mail]

Carrie Fitzgerald, Program Coordinator

email:  [e-mail]

 

This program consists of 16 credit hours of graduate level courses and focuses on developing students' understanding of the various factors that lead to child maltreatment and of various existing responses to incidents. Students learn about the various disciplinary responses to child maltreatment and develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the most effective responses. Students completing the courses in this program will be better equipped to carry out the work of agencies and systems (education, healthcare, criminal justice, social services) as they advocate on behalf of the needs of children as victims and survivors of child abuse. Research in various fields (education, social work, psychology, counseling, medicine) has emphasized the need for education and training around Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and Trauma-Informed Practices. The goal of the Child Advocacy Studies curriculum is to improve the knowledge and skills of those individuals who will interact with children during the course of their careers, often as mandated reporters. Development of this knowledge will enable these professionals to recognize, react, and respond appropriately in circumstances where children are maltreated or at risk of maltreatment.

 

Requirements for Admission to the Advanced Certificate Program without Deficiencies   

• Master's degree in education or related field with a minimum GPA of 3.0  
• A completed graduate application.

Program Requirements

 

Courses:

CAST 501	Perspectives on Child Maltreatment & Advocacy	3
CAST 502	Global Child Advocacy	3
CAST 503	Professional & System Responses to Maltreatment	3
CAST 504	Trauma-Informed Practices with Vulnerable Populations	3
CAST 505	Child Advocacy Research Studies	4
Total Credit Hours:		16