Course Overview!

This undergraduate certificate program focuses on child abuse and domestic violence. It's designed for students in health and human services or related fields, offering theoretical and practical training to better serve abused children and families. The program integrates multiple perspectives and prepares graduates for roles demanding multidisciplinary understanding of child abuse and family violence issues. Students will gain expertise in various theoretical and practical aspects of child maltreatment and domestic violence, enabling them to address the complex societal challenges related to these issues effectively. The curriculum integrates insights from multiple disciplines, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes, consequences, and interventions relevant to child maltreatment and family violence. The program's practical focus will equip students with the skills needed to work in diverse professional contexts, assisting victims and contributing to policy development.

Course Structure

The 15-unit certificate program consists of 9 units of required core courses, 3 units of electives, and 3 units of field experience. Required courses include Issues in Child Abuse, Interpersonal Violence; Communicating with Abused Children and Violent Families; and Multidisciplinary Teams, Child Maltreatment, and Family Violence. Field experience can be fulfilled through various options including Field Work in Health and Human Services or Integrative Field Practicum I. A variety of electives are available, encompassing topics such as parent-child development, family law, juvenile justice, substance use and crime, violence in relationships, community health nursing, vulnerable populations, sexuality and sexual health, psychology of human development, family therapy, psychology and law, and social aspects of violence, sexuality, and family structures. Students must choose electives with the guidance of an advisor to fulfill the 3-unit elective requirement. Successful completion of the program requires a minimum C grade point average.