Certificate in Victim Advocacy

The certificate in Victim Advocacy is designed for students who are already working in the criminal justice field, social work, or looking to enter into victim advocacy work since most victim advocates have degrees in psychology, criminal justice, social work, or education.

This certificate is 15 credits, 9 of which must be taken at Charter Oak. All courses must be completed with a grade of C or above.

Certificate Core Courses

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete a Victim Advocacy certificate will be able to:

1. distinguish between ethical and unethical behavior as it applies to the criminal justice field;
2. relate the types and patterns of family and sexual violence, including myths and realities, cross-cultural and international patterns to prevention and punishment practices and policies;
3. analyze the impact of criminal justice and the courts policies and practices on victims who have mental health or substance abuse disorders;
4. apply victim rights to criminal-case scenarios and explain how victims can be assisted in dealing with the effects of crime and the criminal justice system;
5. identify and analyze victim participation in the criminal justice decision-making, victim services and restitution, and restorative justice initiatives; and
6. explain how to be an effective victim advocate.