Child Advocacy Studies Certificate - Embedded

WellStar College of Health and Human Services
Social Work and Human Services Department
(470) 578-6630
http://wellstarcollege.edu/swhs

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 concentrates 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 after completing the first course (HS 3950 Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy) and prior to the final semester in the student’s major. 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, PSYC 3305, or have permission of the department to take HS 3950. Please note that HS 3950 is a prerequisite for HS 3960.