Certificate in Child Advocacy Studies (CAST)
Purpose
This certificate was developed to assist students interested in pursuing a profession in which they will come in contact with children: case workers, teachers, nurses and other medical personnel, law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, day care providers, and clergy, among others. The certificate is designed to help these professionals learn to recognize the symptoms and the effects of child maltreatment, practice interviewing techniques, and identify intervention strategies. This certificate is open to all students, regardless of major. Students already enrolled in a degree granting program should seek guidance from their Academic Advisor or Certificate Coordinator to see how these credits correlate with their chosen major.
Note: Students will be held to all course prerequisites.
Curriculum
Core Requirements (9 credits)
| SOC 425 | Child Abuse: Recognition and Investigation | 3 |
| SOC 426 | Responding and Investigation: Child Maltreatment | 3 |
| SOC 427 | Responding to the Survivors of Child Abuse and Survivor Responses | 3 |
Electives (6 credits)
Two electives are also required to earn the Child Advocacy Certificate. Approved courses are listed below. Students may be able to substitute courses from their degree program, depending on their major. Please check with the Certificate Coordinator.
Select two courses from the following:
Behavioral Science
| SOC 302 | Marriage and the Family | 3 |
| SOC 303 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 323/LES 323/PSY 323 | Law & Practice in Human Services | 3 |
| SOC 404 | Special Topics: Human Trafficking | 3 |
| SOC 405 | Social Deviance | 3 |
| SOC 464 | Special Topics: Working in the Helping Professions | 3 |
| SOC 468 | Special Topics: Case Management | 3 |
| SOC 469 | Step-Parenting & Blended Families | 3 |
| SOC 490 | Internship in Behavioral Science (Behavioral Science majors) | 3 |
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Legal Studies
Total credits for the CAST: 15