CHAD501: Introduction to Applied Child Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

This course will examine the maltreatment of children from both a historical and contemporary perspective. It will discuss the three major reform movements of the Progressive Era that shaped the field of child advocacy. Students will also explore recent trends in legislation that affect abused and neglected children. Emphasis will be on the historical and current role of the child advocate. Empirical and applied research will be reviewed. 3 sh.

CHAD502: Child Abuse and Neglect (3 hours lecture)

This course will take a comprehensive look at the social and psychological development of children caught in the child welfare system. It will compare normal and pathological models of child rearing. Special consideration will be given to the impact of family and social systems on the development and behavior of abused and neglected children. 3 sh.

CHAD503: Current Social Issues in Child Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

This course will focus on current social issues in the field of child advocacy. Poverty, drug abuse, illnesses and violence will be explored. Strategies for social change will be highlighted and discussed. 3 sh.

CHAD504: Children and Justice (3 hours lecture)

This course will provide students will a multisystems view of children's rights and the justice system. Advocacy protocols and practice will be examined. Confidentiality, expert-testimony, and child abuse reporting laws will be studied. 3 sh.

CHAD505: Forensic Interviewing of Children (3 hours lecture)

This course will provide students with an understanding of various theoretical and applied models for interviewing children who may have been abused. Recent research on the communication process and the significance of integrating age-appropriate interviewing strategies and child development will be explored. Appropriate models for interviewing children of diverse backgrounds will be presented. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501.

CHAD510: Culturally Competent Practice in Child Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

This course will explore the three major components of cultural competency necessary for effective child advocacy: value base, knowledge, and skills. The course will focus on enabling students to examine the values that are necessary for a culturally competent understanding and response to children and families, specifically accepting the existence of biases and developing a commitment to stregths-based models that rely on respect for diversity and working toward empowerment as a goal for intervention. Culture is defined broadly, and the course will expose students to a range of belief systems common in different groups concerning child rearing, child maltreatment, and health and mental health. Students will work on issues in interviewing and engaging children and families from different cultural groups. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501.

CHAD512: The Bullying Spectrum (3 hours lecture)

Students will analyze contemporary research and theory on the role of the child advocate in preventing and intervening in children's bullying. Readings will increase students understanding of the social-ecological theory of bullying, which includes influences of the individual, family, peer group, school and community. This will enable students to critically evaluate research-based approaches to anti-bullying advocacy in the areas of law, education, counseling, and child welfare services delivery. 3 sh.

CHAD516: Introduction to Adolescent Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

3 sh.

CHAD518: Development and Trauma in Adolescence (3 hours lecture)

3 sh.

CHAD520: Adolescents and the System (3 hours lecture)

This course will take a comprehensive approach to understanding the multitude of issues and circumstances that bring adolescents to the attention of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Placement options for adolescents and independent living programs will be reviewed. Variables of substance abuse, mental health disorders, and educational deficits will be discussed in relation to outcomes for adolescents. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503.

CHAD521: Substance Abuse and Family Crisis (3 hours lecture)

This course will explore the impact of substance abuse on families involved with the child welfare system. Current research regarding the connection between substance abuse, domestic violence and child abuse will be reviewed. Residential and outpatient models of treatment will be evaluated. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503.

CHAD522: Family Empowerment Models for Child Advocates (3 hours lecture)

This course will focus on techniques that will empower families in crisis. Model programs grounded in a strengths-based approach will be analyzed. Strategies to help families utilize their unique human and social capital to build community and kinship support systems will be discussed. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503.

CHAD530: Child Protective Service Investigation (3 hours lecture)

This course will examine the investigatory process set down by Title 9 and Title 30. Methods and techniques for interviewing parents and children who come to the attention of the child proective service system will be reviewed. Proceedings such as the Order to Show Cause, Fact Finding, Permanency Hearings, and Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) will be discussed. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503.

CHAD531: Permanency Planning (3 hours lecture)

This course will define and review the various meanings of permanency. Age appropriate and comprehensive plans for children in out-of-home placement will be explored. Consideration will be given to attachment and separation issues that result from broken familial bonds. Concurrent planning and adoption practices will be reviewed and critiqued. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503.

CHAD540: Child Welfare Policy (3 hours lecture)

The course will compare and contrast historical and contemporary trends in child welfare policy. Factors that contribute to legislative decision-making as well as the role of the media in shaping public opinion will be considered. Community perceptions of the child welfare system will be examined. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503.

CHAD545: Advocacy in Child Behavioral Health (3 hours lecture)

This course will explore major issues in accessing behavioral health care of children, with particular emphasis on advocacy within the public behavioral health care system in New Jersey. Students will be introduced to the common language of behavioral health providers, and major issues in assessment and treatment. The course will provide an overview of evidence based interventions, including the use of psychotropic medication, as well as the principles and values of the current system of care. Students will explore the appropriateness of various levels of care for different kinds of difficulties. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501.

CHAD560: Engaging the Adolescent (3 hours lecture)

3 sh.

CHAD610: Seminar: Selected Topics in Child Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

This course will focus on current and relevant issues in child advocacy. It will rely on specialists in the field to present their research or area of expertise to interested students. It will also provide students with an opportunity to research the literature within their fields of interest. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503 and three other graduate courses in Child Advocacy.

CHAD620: Practicum in Public Child Welfare

The course will provide students with a supervised field placement at a child advocacy agency. The seminar will provide classroom instruction on issues related to the students' experiences. Site supervisors will provide on-the-job guidance and supervision. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501, CHAD 502, CHAD 503 and matriculation in MA in Child Advocacy.

CHAD680: Seminar in Child Advocacy (3 hours lecture)

Students will complete an applied project that addresses an area of child advocacy and makes a contribution to a local agency, program, community group, or some other relevant body. The seminar will provide classroom instruction and guidance. Students will also work with one other faculty member on the project. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: CHAD 501 and 502 and 503 and 504 and 505.

CHAD682:

3 sh.

CHAD698: Master's Thesis

Independent research project done under faculty advisement. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelines, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students should take CHAD 699 if they don't complete CHAD 698 within the semester. 4 sh.

Prerequisites: Department approval.