Program Overview

Advanced Certificate in Victimology

Overview

The Advanced Certificate in Victimology Studies aims to develop specialized knowledge in the area of interpersonal victimization in a forensic psychology context. Areas covered include domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, child abuse, sex and labor trafficking, hate crimes, and other forms of interpersonal violence and victimization.

Features of the Program

• Graduate level stand-alone certificate
• Requires 12 credits to complete
• Offered each Fall and Spring semester
• New York State Education Department certificate awarded upon completion

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will understand how to apply victim psychology in the criminal justice system. Students will be able to engage in gendered and culturally-appropriate advocacy and screening for victims of sex trafficking, sexual assault, domestic violence, and high conflict divorce. Students will also understand issues related to vulnerability, including how ethnicity, immigrant status, sexual orientation, and gender may increase risk of victimization and hamper service provision.

Required Courses

• PSY 700 Mental Health Professionals, Social Science & the Law
• PSY 742 Family Violence & Disputes
• PSY 705 Victimology
• PSY 733 Dissociation and Trauma

Admission Criteria

Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria:

• A bachelor’s degree, with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• A minimum of 12 credits of undergraduate coursework in psychology or related social science field
• Personal statement
• At least two letters of reference
• Mental health job or externship experience is an asset for admission, but not required

Additional Requirements for Current Students

Students enrolled in other John Jay master’s degree programs must meet the following requirement:

• A minimum of 12 credits of undergraduate coursework in psychology or related social science field.

Coursework Themes

The coursework covers a range of topics, including child maltreatment and abuse, domestic violence, sex trafficking, post-traumatic stress and related disorders, child custody issues, multicultural considerations in forensic psychology assessments, mindfulness therapy, racial microaggressions, ethical policing, terrorism, delinquency, jury and eyewitness research, competency evaluations, Miranda rights, group dynamics and cults, as well as homelessness and community mental health.

Program Notes

• This is not an online certificate program.
• Completion of the certificate does not guarantee entry into the Forensic Psychology nor the Forensic Mental Health Counseling MA programs.
• Students seeking to strengthen their application to either of the psychology MA programs by completing the certificate must complete all certificate courses (with entered grades) to be eligible for consideration.
• Please be advised that this certificate does not qualify students to provide psychological or clinical services.