Child Advocacy Studies

Online Certificate Program

ETSU Online

Nationally Recognized

The Child Advocacy Studies undergraduate certificate provides students with additional knowledge and skills to address child maltreatment from an interprofessional perspective. Children are one of the most vulnerable populations. This certificate offers training to improve the professional competencies of those who encounter child maltreatment.

Gain strategies for working in an interprofessional environment to better meet the needs of survivors of child abuse and their families. This undergraduate certificate is nationally recognized by Zero Abuse Project Child Advocacy Studies as an evidence-informed curriculum that prepares students to carry out the work of different agencies and systems (healthcare, criminal justice, social services) as they advocate on behalf of children.

Work with Children and Families

Develop an understanding of factors that lead to child maltreatment and the currently existing responses to incidents of child abuse and neglect. Study the various professional responses to child maltreatment and develop a multidisciplinary understanding of the most effective responses. 

The certificate is designed to compliment a bachelor’s degree in fields that need knowledge of child maltreatment and advocacy strategies such as social work, nursing, criminal justice, education, and other fields that work with children and families.

Program information including curriculum and graduation requirements can be found in the ETSU Undergraduate Catalog.

Three courses (nine credit hours):

  • SOWK 4321 - Interprofessional Response to Child Abuse
  • SOWK 4322 - Interprofessional Intervention with Child Abuse Survivors and Families
  • SOWK 4327 - Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Advocacy

Upon completion, students will be able to:

  • Appraise criteria of child maltreatment
  • Determine services and support systems for families in crises
  • Assess and interpret outcomes of child maltreatment
  • Explain roles of professionals across multiple disciplines addressing child maltreatment
  • Apply evidence informed treatment models for child survivors of maltreatment and families

How to Apply

Current ETSU students: Please contact your academic advisor to request this certificate be added to your program of study.
Incoming students: Submit an Undergraduate Special application. Select “Special” as your student type.
Returning students: Submit a Readmission application. Select “Readmit” as your student type.

For more information about applications, visit the ETSU Admissions website.

Cost

TN Residents *GA, KY, NC, SC, VA *Other USA States  **eRate All International
$487 per credit hour $517 per credit hour $627 per credit hour $558 per credit hour $1,265 per credit hour

The costs associated with attending ETSU can include both direct and indirect costs. Please review ETSU's Cost of Attendance for more details.

- Tuition discounts are available for border county students.
- Additional fees may be required.
- The **eRate applies to students living out of state and taking all web-based courses.
- Visit the Paying for College page to read more about costs and financial aid options. Students may also use theTuition and Fees estimator.
- The information presented in the Tuition and Fees estimator is only an estimate; it is not an actual statement of costs
- *First-Time Freshman and Transfer Students only. Currently enrolled students should visit the tuition and fees charts if considering a major change.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What accreditations apply to this certificate program?

    The Child Advocacy Studies certificate is nationally recognized by Project Zero Abuse.






  • What are the job prospects with this certificate?

    Employment of child, family, and school social workers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2019 to 2029. Child and family social workers will be needed to work with families to strengthen parenting skills, prevent child abuse, and identify alternative homes for children who are unable to live with their biological families. 

    The market for well-trained and highly qualified child and family social workers is strong and projects a growth rate of 6 percent (roughly 19,000 new positions).  Other professionals such as teachers, healthcare professionals, and criminal justice can gain specialized knowledge to be better prepared to work with children and families.

  • Do I need to have a background in this field?

    No background is necessary, but most jobs will require a bachelor’s degree. The certificate is complimentary to many bachelor's degrees offered at ETSU and can be completed simultaneously.

  • Are the courses for this certificate asynchronous or synchronous?

    All courses are asynchronous.

  • Are there any on-campus requirements?

    No on-campus meetings are required. 

  • Does this certificate require fieldwork?

    No, but those pursuing a bachelor's degree with an internship requirement are encouraged to seek opportunities to apply knowledge from the certificate.

  • What is the time to completion?

    Full-time students can complete the certificate in two semesters.

    Part-time students can take one (1) class per semester and complete the certificate in two (2) calendar years.

  • When can I start?

    The start term for this certificate is Fall.

  • Are scholarships available?

    Yes, you can view scholarship opportunities on the Department of Social Work website. Additionally, ETSU's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships offers scholarship information for all student levels. Learn more on the ETSU Scholarship website.