The Online Graduate Certificate Program in Domestic Violence Prevention

Domestic violence is one of our nation’s greatest social and public health problems. Individuals working in health, social services and law enforcement can benefit from gaining expertise in the prevention and response to domestic violence. Offered by the University’s Department of Criminal Justice and the Division of Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, this certificate brings together courses in the areas of Criminal Justice, Community Social Psychology and Health Professions and provides a focused program for those working in settings where domestic violence is an issue.

Intended Audience
This certificate can benefit those in the fields of nursing, health, social services, family services, youth services, police, hospital and health agency administration and other related professions.

These courses may be applied to the relevant department’s Master’s degree program with the approval of the graduate coordinator. Applicants must have received a baccalaureate degree with at least a 2.8 GPA, for acceptance into the certificate program.

Required Course - Choose 1:
44/47.622 Intimate Partner Violence
OR 44.623 Responding to Child Maltreatment

Plus 1 of the following:^*
32.625 Health Policy
44.503 Administration of Criminal Justice - Available Fall 2009!
44.522 Victimology - Available Fall 2009!
47.504 The Family System
47.511 Principles of Helping

Plus 1 of the following:^*
32.613 Research Methods in PL and Environment
44.590 Research Methods in Criminal Justice - Available Fall 2009!
47.512 Applied Research Methods
47.611 Program Evaluation

Plus 1 elective chosen from the following:^*
32.616 Law and Ethics in Healthcare
32.625 Health Policy
44/47.622 Intimate Partner Violence
44.623 Responding to Child Maltreatment
44.624 Violence in America - Available Fall 2009!
47.500 Introduction to Community Social Psychology
47.523 Women in the Community
47.542 Working with Groups
47.551 Psychosocial Aspects of Maturity and Aging

32.613 Research Methods in PL and Environment
3 credits.

32.616 Law and Ethics in Healthcare
The course considers ethics and law in the management of health care institutions and public health. Ethics is considered with a focus on the ethical and legal issues facing health care managers and public health personnel. Law is approached as an important element in defining public health and as an instrument to achieve goals in public health and health care delivery. Topics include: an introduction to ethics, the legal basis of health care management, and public health practices. Topics range from HIPPA, fair employment practices, to the allocation of scarce resources in communities and organizations. The course provides an opportunity to apply these concepts to particular students’ interests in public health and health care management. 3 credits.

32.625 Health Policy
This course provides students with a basic framework for health policy analysis and examines major aspects of U.S. health policy. Detailed consideration and discussion focus on the relationship of national policy to the planning, implementation and funding of healthcare services. The course covers topics such as the healthcare policy environment in the U.S, government-funded healthcare through Medicaid and Medicare, and the Massachusetts healthcare reform. 3 credits.

44.503 Administration of Criminal Justice
An examination of the administration of federal, state and local criminal justice agencies in the United States, including a focus on criminal law and procedure. 3 credits.

44.522 Victimology
An examination of the characteristics and life styles of crime victims and the impact of their victimization. The treatment of victims by the criminal justice system is examined along with possible reforms in approach. 3 credits.

44.590 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Students are introduced to the essential elements of criminal justice research, including criminal justice data sources, conceptualization and measurement, the use of experimental and quasi-experimental designs, survey research, document studies, and ethnographies. The use of computers as a research tool is covered. 3 credits.

44.622 Intimate Partner Violence
Examines the causes and consequences of intimate partner violence as well as the latest research regarding the criminal justice response. 3 credits.

44.623 Responding to Child Maltreatment
Introduction to empirical findings and theoretical perspectives concerned with the maltreatment of children and youth. Includes an examination of prevalence rates, risk factors, consequences, and system responses. 3 credits.

44.624 Violence in America
This course provides students with an in-depth analysis of the causes, context, and control of a wide range of violent crimes. 3 credits.

47.500 Introduction to Community Social Psychology
Introduces history and contemporary trends of community and social psychology with focus on how social and environmental forces affect individual and group quality of life. This couse surveys the history, theoretical frameworks, core values, methods/approaches and orienting concepts in the field. 3 credits.

47.504 The Family System
Studies family processes and the interplay between the family and other social, cultural, and socio-economic systems. Topics include parental roles, changing family structures, racial and ethnic factors, and interactions between family, work, and community. 3 credits.

47.511 Principles of Helping
The basics of the helping relationship with individuals are covered, including interviewing, listening, basic and advanced empathy, goal setting, and implementing strategies for change. The emphasis will be on the dyadic relationship of helper and client, though some applications to larger networks will be covered. The emphasis will be on how to use these techniques in human service settings in the community. 3 credits.

47.512 Applied Research Methods
Considers strengths and limitations of various approaches to community and social psychological research. Develops skills for formulating research questions and translating them into practical study designs. Sensitivity to research ethics as well as research practicality and validity are emphasized. Pre- or Co-requisite: 47.500 3 credits.

47.523 Women in the Community
An examination of women's roles in the home, community, and work place; examines psychological consequences, social structural influences, and options for change. Topics include: housework and childcare; violence against women; work place stratification issues; and women's contributions to their communities. 3 credits.

47.542 Working with Groups
This course uses a community-based approach to working with groups. Guided by an understanding of theoretical principles, students will gain insights about group dynamics and process. Students will develop and apply various skills, including assessment, enhanced communication, conflict resolution, problem solving, decision-making, and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on working within diverse groups, attaining outcomes, and utilizing resources. Organizational, prevention/intervention, and focus groups are examined. 3 credits.

47.551 Psychosocial Aspects of Maturity and Aging
Addresses individual development in the second half of life in diverse cultural and community contexts.  Biological and psychological approaches to adulthood and aging will be supplemented with historical, sociological and anthropological perspectives, and there will be an emphasis on practical applications of theory and research to empower elders, promote culturally-appropriate services, and enhance intergenerational community. 3 credits.

47.611 Program Evaluation
A skill-oriented approach that considers both formative and summative evaluation techniques. Emphasizes mastery of the technical aspects of the evaluation process, and includes consideration of the importance of program evaluation in community psychology, health, education, etc. 3 credits.

47.622 Intimate Partner Violence
Examines the causes and consequences of intimate partner violence as well as the latest research regarding the criminal justice response. 3 credits.