虐待和忽视儿童仍然是社会最紧迫和可预防的问题。因此，对儿童倡导者（训练有素，致力于儿童福祉的专业人员）的需求量很大。但是，目前，许多以此身份工作的人都是自称为儿童的拥护者。也就是说，他们致力于帮助改善儿童的生活质量，但没有接受有关虐待和忽视儿童的复杂动态的专门培训。儿童倡导也越来越多地从保护范围扩展到儿童生活的其他领域，涉及教育，心理健康和少年司法等多个系统。为了有效地倡导这些领域，有必要了解儿童服务系统。通过法律，社会工作和心理学等学科，这门五门课程拥有15个学分的研究生课程提供了对儿童倡导者角色的多学
The Graduate Certificate Program in Child Advocacy offers both online and on-campus options and is designed to provide students with a multidisciplinary understanding of the role of the child advocate as seen through the disciplines of law, social work and psychology. This unique perspective, encompassing these three areas of learning, equips graduates with the training that will enhance their skills in a variety of settings. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate, students may transfer all 15 credits towards the Master of Arts in Child Advocacy, in accordance with all related graduate policy.