Child Advocacy Studies Certificate - Embedded

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

Admission requirements for this undergraduate certificate include: 

• A minimum institutional cumulative GPA of 2.5; 
• A statement regarding your interest in the certificate and your proposed career goals; and 
• A completed criminal background check (Note: The associated fee is assumed by the student and can be completed at the student’s local sheriff or police department). 
   

Note 1: 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 serves as a prerequisite course for HS 3950 and HS 3960. Students should complete one of these courses prior to applying for admission into the CAST Program.  Students must make a “C” or better in all courses related to the certificate program for credit.

Note 2:  Students interested in the CAST Certificate should apply for the program at the beginning of their studies, but no later than after the completion of the required CAST courses of HS 3950 or HS 3960.