Child Advocacy Studies, Minor

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.

This program is a part of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services .

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies

Admission Requirements

Institutional GPA of 2.50 or higher
Updated Resume
Program Application
Local Criminal Background Check (Students may contact the local sheriff or police department)

Program Notes:

HS 3300 or ECE 2250 or PSYC 2103 or SOCI 3364 serve as the prerequisite course for HS 3950 and HS 3960 . Students should complete one of these courses before declaring the minor.
Students must earn a grade of “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.

Graduation Requirements

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in the Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements

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: