Child Advocacy Studies, Minor

Contact Information

Website: wellstarcollege.kennesaw.edu/swhs/cast/index.php

Phone: (470) 578-6630

Program Description

The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) minor focuses on experiential, interdisciplinary, ethical, and culturally sensitive content that provides professionals working with children a common knowledge base for responding to child maltreatment. The minor 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 must complete a field placement experience of a minimum of hours.

Admission Requirements

Institutional GPA of 2.5 or higher
Updated Resume
Program Application
Local Criminal Background Check (Students may contact the local sheriff or police department)

Program Notes:

HS 3300: Human Socialization or ECE 2250: Child Development and Early Learning or PSYC 2103: Introduction to Human Development or SOCI 3364: Sociology of the Family serve as the prerequisite course for HS 3950 and HS 3960. Students should complete one of these courses before declaring the minor. Students must make a “C” or better in all courses related to the minor for credit.
Students interested in the CAST minor should declare at the beginning of their studies, but no later than after the completion of HS 3950 or HS 3960. Students declaring the minor must also complete the program application
Students selecting an elective course not on the approved list must get approval to use the course in their program of study from the CAST Coordinator or the HS Program Director prior to enrolling in the course.
A completed criminal background check may be required by the student’s proposed internship site. The results of the background check may prohibit placement and lead to the student not being able to complete the minor.

Program of Study

Required Courses (12 Credit Hours)

HS 3950:Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy
HS 3960:Professional and System Responses to Maltreatment
HS 4950:Advanced Internship for Human Services Professionals or a practicum/internship course in the student’s major with preapproval from the CAST Program Coordinator/HS Program Director*
*Students in the CAST program must complete a field placement experience (i.e., internship or externship or coop) of 120 hours. Minors may use a practicum/internship course in their major provided they meet this standard and have the approval of the CAST Program Coordinator/Human Services Program Director prior to beginning the course. Prior approval is needed in order to ensure CAST learning outcomes are met along with the minimum number of hours. If the course is less than six (6) credit hours, then the student can make-up the additional credit hours needed for the minor by completing a second CAST elective(s).

CAST Electives (3 Credit Hours)

Select one of the following: