This certificate prepares students for entry-level employment in the field of domestic violence. Students completing this certificate will acquire skills in critical thinking, legal issues related to domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, sexual assault, case planning, crisis intervention, theory-based assessment, working knowledge of community resources and hands-on work experience in a human services agency in the community.

Program Outcomes

• Analyze a person or family in a case vignette and come up with the key issues that are impacting the case.
• Identify any legal and ethical issues in providing services to a case vignette.
• Discuss planned interventions to assist the person or family in a case vignette.
• Use knowledge of community resources to “treat” issues in a case vignette.
• Identify ways to manage the student’s own issues that result from providing services to a case vignette, such as supervision, consultation, and setting limits.

Career Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this certificate, students will be prepared for employment in the following fields: family violence, domestic violence shelters, case management through Child Welfare Services, children's programs, batterers intervention programs, and a variety of non-profit service organizations.

Program Requirements 

The Certificate of Achievement requirements include completion of the certificate courses with a “C” or better grade in each course. Required and support courses may be substituted with the approval of the Social Sciences Division Chair.