Academics

Child Advocacy and Policy Certificate (Online)

Certificate

An adult sitting on couch with two children, across from another adult

Begin your education and understanding of the field of Child Advocacy and Policy when you enroll in Montclair State University’s fully online Child Advocacy and Policy Graduate Certificate.

The Graduate Certificate in Child Advocacy and Policy provides students an interdisciplinary understanding of the role of a child advocate as seen through the disciplines of social work, psychology, and law. This unique perspective equips graduates with advanced knowledge of child advocacy and child protection, with a particular focus on policy and practice issues relevant to vulnerable children and families.

The certificate provides students with the foundational knowledge to begin a career as a child advocacy professional and prepares students for future graduate study in child advocacy.

As an alternative to the full master’s degree, this 15-credit certificate program includes five asynchronous courses which can be completed fully online in 2.5 semesters.
Upon successful completion of the certificate, students may transfer all 15 credits towards the Master of Arts in Child Advocacy and Policy. See the curriculum.

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Career Opportunities

Child advocacy professionals work in a variety of settings:

  • Child welfare agencies
  • Child behavioral health services
  • Prevention and community organizations
  • Court appointed special advocates (CASA)
  • Education advocacy groups
  • Victim-witness offices/agencies
  • Disability advocacy groups
  • Domestic violence programs
  • Youth mentoring and development programs
  • Supervised visitation programs

Admission Requirements

  • Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Applicants with non-U.S. degrees: Please visit the international applicants page to review U.S. degree equivalency information.
  • *Students seeking an F1/J1 visa are not eligible for this certificate program unless they are currently pursuing a master’s degree at Montclair State University and are able to simultaneously pursue both programs while maintaining their student visa requirements.

Application Checklist

  • Application Deadline: Rolling admission.
  • Online Application: Submit application and $60 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).
  • Transcript: One from each college attended.
  • Esssay/Personal Statement: Please provide a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words, in which you answer the following questions:
    • How will earning a graduate certificate in child advocacy and policy help you reach your professional goals?
    • In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence of your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career?
    • Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and/or professional experience. – If your undergraduate GPA does not meet the requirements (preferred undergraduate gpa of 3.0 for MA and preferred undergraduate gpa of 2.5 for Certificate), please make sure you address why and how you plan to mitigate it.
    • How do you identify regarding positions of privilege and/ or marginalization?
    • How have those positions influenced your professional/ social situations?
    • Serving children and families requires working with individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, and other diverse and varied backgrounds. Please describe your commitment to and engagement with social, racial, and/or economic justice.
    • Address what, if any, challenges you have had or foresee to have, balancing work/ life/ coursework. How do you plan to address these challenges, if admitted to the program?
    • What has your previous online academic experience been? How did you perform in it and how do you plan to mitigate potential future challenges in an online program?

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Questions? We’re Here to Help.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us.

For Graduate Admissions

Get guidance on the application process, from admission requirements and deadlines to transcripts and test scores.

For the Child Advocacy and Policy Certificate

Learn what to expect from this fully online program, including course delivery, technology and student support.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Lucy Takagi

Get detailed information about the program itself—from curriculum and faculty expertise to research, internships and career outcomes.

Next Steps

Wherever you learn—on campus or online—Montclair State University offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.

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