Certificate Programs

Examine the social, historical, political, legal and psychological aspects of gender-based violence.

You will explore the root causes, nature and prevalence of various forms of gender-based violence, analyze diverse viewpoints, and gain in-depth knowledge of prevention and reduction strategies. We take a feminist perspective, incorporating the intersection of sexism and other forms of oppression, such as racism, classism and heterosexism. We will address national and global perspectives and study strategies for prevention, intervention, treatment and social change.

Address the contributions and limitations of current empirical and clinical psychological literatures about interpersonal violence (IPV).

Domestic and sexual violence workers will become better able to determine if mental health professionals are ready to work effectively with survivors of gender-based violence. Mental health professionals will obtain an understanding of the needs of victim services organizations and the individuals they serve. You will focus on the effects of interpersonal violence on women and children, and on their psychological needs. The class is not appropriate for students whose primary interests’ concern perpetrator treatment.

The class begins with a brief introduction to the necessary concepts of developmental psychopathology and empirical research. Initially, contemporary research about IPV perpetrators is addressed to identify implications for assisting victims. Regarding the central focus on women and child victims, topics include theories about the effects of violence, psychological assessment, trauma informed care, crisis and open-ended interventions.

Address interpersonal violence in the context of federal, state and international laws and the public policy issues surrounding these laws.

There are three sections of this course:

1. Develop a basic understanding of relevant legal systems in the United States.
2. Explore the theoretical underpinnings of why interpersonal violence occurs. These theories provide the framework for developing laws and public policies that address the perpetration and impact of interpersonal violence.We will enrich these theories by looking at the contexts in which violence occurs. By looking at the experiences of different populations within our culture, some of the societal institutions in which violence occurs and the economic circumstances of survivors of violence.
3. Look at the laws addressing interpersonal violence. We will focus on the current state of laws, implementation of those laws and the limitations of these laws.
   

Get an understanding of different models of social change and the various strategies of public address, including social movements and campaigns that accomplish social change.

You will explore the rhetorical strategies, tactics, strengths and weaknesses of contemporary movements like:

• The Civil Rights Movement
• The Black Power Movement
• The Women’s Movement
• The Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movements
• Public Health Campaigns
• The Battered Women’s Movement

We will ask how the anti-gender based violence movement might develop successful public discourses that advocates their cause, transform public policy, and build or reform public institutions such as the criminal legal system. Gain an understanding of successful modes of public address and tactics of activism that produce changes in public policy and reform institutional practices.

Examine the social, historical, political, legal and psychological aspects of gender-based violence.

You will explore the root causes, nature and prevalence of various forms of gender-based violence, analyze diverse viewpoints, and gain in-depth knowledge of prevention and reduction strategies. We take a feminist perspective, incorporating the intersection of sexism and other forms of oppression, such as racism, classism and heterosexism. We will address national and global perspectives and study strategies for prevention, intervention, treatment and social change.

Address the contributions and limitations of current empirical and clinical psychological literatures about interpersonal violence (IPV).

Domestic and sexual violence workers will become better able to determine if mental health professionals are ready to work effectively with survivors of gender-based violence. Mental health professionals will obtain an understanding of the needs of victim services organizations and the individuals they serve. You will focus on the effects of interpersonal violence on women and children, and on their psychological needs. The class is not appropriate for students whose primary interests’ concern perpetrator treatment.

The class begins with a brief introduction to the necessary concepts of developmental psychopathology and empirical research. Initially, contemporary research about IPV perpetrators is addressed to identify implications for assisting victims. Regarding the central focus on women and child victims, topics include theories about the effects of violence, psychological assessment, trauma informed care, crisis and open-ended interventions.

Learn about interpersonal violence (IPV) from a health care perspective.

You will:

• discuss the prevalence of IPV.
• examine the health effects and economic impacts of interpersonal violence.
• address the health care professional’s role in primary prevention, patient screening and intervention.
• review legal issues and professional standards relevant to health care professionals and victims of interpersonal violence.
  

Gain an understanding of different models of health advocacy and strategies for achieving systems change in the health care sector.

You will explore the strategies, tactics, strengths and weaknesses of contemporary public health campaigns, such as:

• Anti-smoking
• Breast cancer awareness
• AIDS prevention

Explore how health care professionals can develop successful public and institutional discourses that transform health care policies and systems to address the needs of patients who have experienced interpersonal violence. You will learn specific methods of advocacy, activism and organizational change that are most likely to produce positive results in a health care setting. A practicum is required for all students.

*A practicum is required for all students enrolled in this Certificate