Fulbright College Adds Online Program to Train Professionals in Child Advocacy

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas now offers the Certificate of Proficiency in Child Advocacy Studies program online to provide professionals with enhanced skills in responding to the traumatic stress and maltreatment of children and adolescents.

The nine-hour certificate program will provide front-line professionals with knowledge and skills needed to competently advocate for children and with continuing education units required by the social work licensing board.

Professionals who have a bachelor’s degree can apply online. Applicants should have at least one year of work experience in a field that deals with child advocacy.

“We believe that the Child Advocacy Studies Training certificate program will provide professionals in Arkansas and surrounding states with the knowledge and tools to identify child maltreatment and to advocate on behalf of children in need,” said Marcia Shobe, director of the School of Social Work in Fulbright College.

This program is developed for professionals in helping fields, including social workers, child protective service workers, school-based counselors, speech therapists, occupational therapists, attorneys, criminal justice and law enforcement workers, nursing and other medical professionals, and childhood development and educational professionals.

The School of Social Work in Fulbright College offers this certificate program in accordance with the Gunderson National Child Protection Training Center. The program is designed to enhance practice for professionals who work in the area of child maltreatment and child welfare, making them more proficient in child advocacy and support.

Students in this online program will explore interviewing techniques, preparing to testify on a witness stand, conducting a home visit, and planning competent case management. Students will explore case studies and will benefit from problem-based learning methods centered on current child maltreatment issues and research.

This online certificate is the latest development in the university’s plan to expand and enhance distance education, making learning opportunities accessible to more people. The U of A offers more than 30 degree and certificate programs that are completely or primarily online. They are listed on the University of Arkansas ONLINE website.

Faculty in the School of Social Work collaborated with instructional designers at the Global Campus to develop and deliver online courses that follow national standards for quality. Online students can access services from support units across the Fayetteville campus, including library, technology and tutoring services.

About the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences: The J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse unit on campus with 19 departments and 43 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students and is named for J. William Fulbright, former university president and longtime U.S. senator.

About the Global Campus: The Global Campus supports U of A colleges and schools in the development and delivery of online programs and courses. It provides instructional design services, technology services and assistance with marketing, recruiting and strategic academic development.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.