Minor in Child Advocacy Studies < Northeastern Illinois University

Department website: https://www.neiu.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/justice-studies

Minor in Child Advocacy Studies (18 credit hours)

The Child Advocacy Studies minor provides students with knowledge and skills to deliver high quality services to infants, children, youth and their families. The program’s goal is to prepare emerging practitioners to work effectively within various child-serving organizations and institutions. The program includes a focus on immigrant children and their families as well as children who are at risk or who have been impacted by violence and trauma. It also includes collaborative relationships with community-based providers that directly serve children and their families, and with advocates for equitable access to programs and services.

University Core Curriculum Requirements

General Education Distribution Area	Cr. Hrs.
Fine Arts (FA)* 2 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: Art, CMT (Mass Media or Theatre), Music (includes Dance).	6
Humanities (HU)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: CMT (Communication), English, Linguistics. Philosophy, Women's and Gender Studies, World Languages and Cultures, (Note: No more than two foreign language courses may be used to fulfill this requirement.)	9
Behavioral/Social Sciences (SB)* 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study: African & African American Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Economics, Geography & Environmental Studies, History, Justice Studies, Latino & Latin American Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work	9
Natural Sciences (NS and NSL)** 3 courses, from at least two of the following areas of study; one course must have a laboratory component (NSL): Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physics (Note: If an FYE ANTH that counts as Natural Science is taken, only one Biology course may be used for Natural Science).	9

Engaged Learning Experiences
Students must complete, at Northeastern, three courses designated as Engaged Learning Experiences courses. One of the Engaged Learning Experiences courses must be at the 300-level, and one Engaged Learning Experiences course must be designated as "Boundary Crossing".
Discipline Specific (ELE-DS) These courses have pre-requisites that are specific courses within a program of study. Discipline Specific courses give students a deeper understanding of how knowledge is created and applied in their field.
Boundary Crossing (ELE-X) These are courses that cross disciplinary boundaries and/or cross boundaries through engagements outside the classroom or University allowing students to see how knowledge gained in one field might inform other fields or other aspects of society.

Math/Quantitative Reasoning (MA) 1 Math course, that has intermediate Algebra as prerequisite OR is a course listed on the General Education Distributive Learning List of Approved Courses. Any 3 hour college level math course, beyond Intermediate Algebra, meets this requirement.

*: Majors in Fine Arts, Humanities or Social/Behavioral Sciences, may waive up to 6 credit hours of General Education requirements in the corresponding distribution area.
**: Majors in Natural Sciences may waive up to 9 credit hours of General Education requirements in the Natural Sciences distribution area.

Students should also be aware of all other university requirements to obtain a degree - NEIU requirements

Requirements for the MINOR in Child Advocacy Studies

To earn a CAST minor students must complete six classes (18 cr.) as follows:

Four required courses (12 cr.),
Two electives (6 cr.) from different disciplines drawn from the list of approved electives below.

While completing the final required course, CAST-304 students work 80 hours in the field at a site that has been approved by the CAST advisor.

Core Courses Required for Minor:

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
CAST Required Courses		12
CAST-301	Introduction To Child Advocacy Studies
CAST-302	Psychosocial Advocacy For Developmental Maladjustment
CAST-303	Child Advocacy Studies: Assessment And Evaluation
CAST-304	CAST Internship Seminar
Approved Electives ¹		6
JUST-318	Gangs In Chicago
JUST-321	Violence Against Women
JUST-326	Juvenile Justice System
JUST-395	Hunger & Homelessness
PSYC-215	Child Psychology
PSYC-318	Psychopathology Of Childhood
PSYC-320	Adolescent Psychology
SOC-105	Social Inequalities And Social Change
SOC-329	Sociology Of Violence
SOC-332	Schools, Domination & Liberation: Sociology Of Education
SOC-340	Sociology Of Sexualities
SOC-358	Sociology Of Youth And Youth Culture
SWK-301	Social Work And The Law
SWK-307	Services To Children & Adolescents
SWK-308	Social Work Practice With Immigrants & Refugees I
SWK-320	Domestic Violence Social Work:Theory And Practice
Total Hours		18

Approved Electives are chosen from the selected interdisciplinary list of courses shown above.

The program will accept one elective course (3 cr.) from another college or university toward the minor, subject to the approval of the advisor.