Child Advocacy Studies Training Certificate - Embedded

The Child Advocacy Studies curriculum focuses on experiential, interdisciplinary, ethical, and culturally sensitive content that provides professionals working with children a common knowledge base for responding to child maltreatment. This program focuses on developing students’ understanding of the numerous factors that lead to child maltreatment and existing responses to child maltreatment. The goal is to prepare students to work effectively within systems and institutions that respond to these incidents. Students will 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 (health care, criminal justice, and social services) as they advocate on behalf of the needs of children as victims and survivors of child abuse.

Students may apply to the certificate program at any point throughout the academic year. Admission requirements for the undergraduate certificate include: completion of general education requirements and required prerequisites; minimum GPA of 3.0 in all human service coursework (including field placements); statement regarding interest in certificate and proposed career goals; two reference letters (either academic or related work/internship experience); and completed fingerprint/background check (fee assumed by student). In addition, students need to have completed HS 3300 or have permission of the department to take HS 4430. Furthermore, to take HS 4450 and HS 4460, students need to have completed HS 4430.