{"id":5248,"date":"2025-09-05T17:43:40","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T21:43:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program-page&#038;p=5248"},"modified":"2026-01-23T16:15:47","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:15:47","slug":"child-advocacy-and-policy-certificate-online","status":"publish","type":"program-page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/child-advocacy-and-policy-certificate-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Child Advocacy and Policy Certificate (Online)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class='program-hero'><div class='top-part'><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" data-original-image=\"\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\"\/><div class='content-area'><h1 id=\"content-start\">Child Advocacy and Policy Certificate (Online)<\/h1><p class=\"program-info\"><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?program_type=certificate\">Certificate<\/a><\/p><div class='image-holder'><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/09\/062717_8550_Child-Advocacy-cert-hero.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/academics\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/09\/062717_8550_Child-Advocacy-cert-hero.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"An adult sitting on couch with two children, across from another adult\"\/><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='bottom-part'><div class='wrapper'><div class='content-area'>\n<p>Begin your education and understanding of the field of Child Advocacy and Policy when you enroll in ÌÇÐÄvlog\u2019s fully online Child Advocacy and Policy Graduate Certificate.<\/p>\n<p>The Graduate Certificate in Child Advocacy and Policy provides students an interdisciplinary understanding of the role of a child advocate as seen through the disciplines of social work, psychology, and law. This unique perspective equips graduates with advanced knowledge of child advocacy and child protection, with a particular focus on policy and practice issues relevant to vulnerable children and families.<\/p>\n<p>The certificate provides students with the foundational knowledge to begin a career as a child advocacy professional and prepares students for future graduate study in child advocacy.<\/p>\n<p>As an alternative to the full master\u2019s degree, this 15-credit certificate program includes five asynchronous courses which can be completed fully online in 2.5 semesters.<br \/>\nUpon successful completion of the certificate, students may transfer all 15 credits towards the Master of Arts in Child Advocacy and Policy. <a href=\"http:\/\/catalog.montclair.edu\/programs\/child-advocacy-policy-certificate-graduate\/\">See the curriculum<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.montclair.edu\/apply\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.montclair.edu\/register\/grad-inquiry\">Request Info<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><aside><p><strong>Program Format<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?modality=online\">Online<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Start Date<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/online\/montclair-online-program-calendar\/\">Fall & Spring<\/a><\/p><p><strong>College or School<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?college=chss\">College of Humanities and Social Sciences<\/a><\/p><p><strong>Area of Study<\/strong><br \/><a href=\"\/academics\/program-finder\/?area_of_study=public-service-and-the-humanities\">Public Service and the Humanities<\/a><\/p><p><span class='prpl-button full-width'><a href=\"https:\/\/graduate.montclair.edu\/portal\/graduate-events\">Upcoming Admissions Events<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/aside><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-band no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<h2>Career Opportunities<\/h2>\n<p>Child advocacy professionals work in a variety of settings:<\/p>\n<div class=\"link-list triple\">\n<ul>\n<li>Child welfare agencies<\/li>\n<li>Child behavioral health services<\/li>\n<li>Prevention and community organizations<\/li>\n<li>Court appointed special advocates (CASA)<\/li>\n<li>Education advocacy groups<\/li>\n<li>Victim-witness offices\/agencies<\/li>\n<li>Disability advocacy groups<\/li>\n<li>Domestic violence programs<\/li>\n<li>Youth mentoring and development programs<\/li>\n<li>Supervised visitation programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-band lt-gray no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<h2><strong>Admission Requirements<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor\u2019s degree.<\/li>\n<li>Applicants with non-U.S. degrees: Please visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/graduate\/how-to-apply\/international-applicants\/\">international applicants page<\/a> to review U.S. degree equivalency information.<\/li>\n<li>*Students seeking an F1\/J1 visa are not eligible for this certificate program unless they are currently pursuing a master\u2019s degree at ÌÇÐÄvlog and are able to simultaneously pursue both programs while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/global\/current-students\/f-1-students\/maintaining-f-1-status\/\">maintaining their student visa requirements.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Application Checklist<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Application Deadline: Rolling admission.<\/li>\n<li>Online Application: Submit application and $60 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).<\/li>\n<li>Transcript: One from each college attended.<\/li>\n<li>Essay\/Personal Statement: Please provide a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words, in which you answer the following questions:\n<ul>\n<li>How will earning a graduate certificate in child advocacy and policy help you reach your professional goals?<\/li>\n<li>In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence of your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career?<\/li>\n<li>Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and\/or professional experience. \u2013 If your undergraduate GPA does not meet the requirements (preferred undergraduate gpa of 3.0 for MA and preferred undergraduate gpa of 2.5 for Certificate), please make sure you address why and how you plan to mitigate it.<\/li>\n<li>How do you identify regarding positions of privilege and\/ or marginalization?<\/li>\n<li>How have those positions influenced your professional\/ social situations?<\/li>\n<li>Serving children and families requires working with individuals of all cultures, races, ethnicities, and other diverse and varied backgrounds. Please describe your commitment to and engagement with social, racial, and\/or economic justice.<\/li>\n<li>Address what, if any, challenges you have had or foresee to have, balancing work\/ life\/ coursework. How do you plan to address these challenges, if admitted to the program?<\/li>\n<li>What has your previous online academic experience been?\u00a0How did you perform in it and how do you plan to mitigate potential future challenges in an online program?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-band lt-gray no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<div class=\"prpl-row\"><div class=\"prpl-column two-fifths\">\n<h2>Related Programs<\/h2>\n<\/div><div class=\"prpl-column three-fifths\">\n<p><div class=\"related-program-container\"><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/programs\/ma-child-advocacy-and-policy-online\/\" class=\"name\">Child Advocacy and Policy MA (Online)<\/a><span class=\"program-info\"><span class=\"program-info\">MA &bull; Master's<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-band no-margin\"><div class=\"text-content\">\n<h2>Featured Faculty<\/h2>\n<p class='a11y-label'><!-- fetch new: 296.27 ms --><!-- decode:  0.11 ms --><!-- output:  0.03 ms --><\/p><ul class=\"profile-grid\"><li><div class=\"card\"><div class=\"profile-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" alt=\"Nicole Lytle profile photo\" data-original-image=\"\/profilepages\/media\/7356\/user\/img8093.000.jpeg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/profilepages\/media\/7356\/user\/img8093.000.jpeg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" \/><\/div><div class=\"profile-text\"><span class=\"name\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/~lytlen\">Nicole Lytle<\/a><\/span><span class=\"title\">Associate Professor<\/span><span class=\"email\"><a href=\"mailto:lytlen@montclair.edu\">lytlen@montclair.edu<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"card\"><div class=\"profile-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" alt=\"Nancy Coba profile photo\" data-original-image=\"\/profilepages\/media\/2697\/user\/nancycobamsu.png\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/profilepages\/media\/2697\/user\/nancycobamsu.png.0.1x.generic.jpg\" \/><\/div><div class=\"profile-text\"><span class=\"name\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/~cobana\">Nancy Coba<\/a><\/span><span class=\"title\">Associate Teaching Professor<\/span><span class=\"email\"><a href=\"mailto:cobana@montclair.edu\">cobana@montclair.edu<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div class=\"card\"><div class=\"profile-photo\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" alt=\"Nydia Monagas profile photo\" data-original-image=\"\/profilepages\/media\/2131\/user\/nmonagasheadshot.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/profilepages\/media\/2131\/user\/nmonagasheadshot.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" \/><\/div><div class=\"profile-text\"><span class=\"name\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/~monagasn\">Nydia Monagas<\/a><\/span><span class=\"title\">Associate Teaching Professor<\/span><span class=\"email\"><a href=\"mailto:monagasn@montclair.edu\">monagasn@montclair.edu<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><br \/>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"program-contact-band\"><div class=\"background-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-background\" data-original-image=\"\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/academics\/wp-content\/plugins\/msu-program-finder\/2025-08-07_mosaic-background-high-res.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\"\/><\/div><div class=\"content-container\">\n<h2>Questions? Find the right contact below.<\/h2>\n<p>Connect with our enrollment teams for personalized guidance on admission requirements, the application process, key dates, and your next steps toward enrollment.<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"contact-card-holder\"><div class=\"contact-card\"><div class=\"narrative\"><p class=\"name\">For the Online Program<\/p>Get help with requirements, deadlines, documents and the application process for fully online programs.<\/div><div class=\"details\"><ul class=\"contact-list\"><li><svg title=\"envelope icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M0 64l512 0 0 80L256 320 0 144 0 64zM0 448L0 182.8 237.9 346.4 256 358.8l18.1-12.5L512 182.8 512 448 0 448z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"mailto:discover@enroll.montclair.edu\">discover@enroll.montclair.edu<\/a><\/li><li><svg title=\"phone icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M164.9 24.6c-7.7-18.6-28-28.5-47.4-23.2l-88 24C12.1 30.2 0 46 0 64C0 311.4 200.6 512 448 512c18 0 33.8-12.1 38.6-29.5l24-88c5.3-19.4-4.6-39.7-23.2-47.4l-96-40c-16.3-6.8-35.2-2.1-46.3 11.6L304.7 368C234.3 334.7 177.3 277.7 144 207.3L193.3 167c13.7-11.2 18.4-30 11.6-46.3l-40-96z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"tel:973-658-4535\">973-658-4535<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"contact-card\"><div class=\"narrative\"><p class=\"name\">Program Coordinator: Dr. Lucy Takagi<\/p>Explore the curriculum, faculty, research and outcomes. The Program Coordinator can help you connect the program to your goals.<\/div><div class=\"details\"><ul class=\"contact-list\"><li><svg title=\"envelope icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M0 64l512 0 0 80L256 320 0 144 0 64zM0 448L0 182.8 237.9 346.4 256 358.8l18.1-12.5L512 182.8 512 448 0 448z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"mailto:takagil@montclair.edu\">takagil@montclair.edu<\/a><\/li><li><svg title=\"phone icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M164.9 24.6c-7.7-18.6-28-28.5-47.4-23.2l-88 24C12.1 30.2 0 46 0 64C0 311.4 200.6 512 448 512c18 0 33.8-12.1 38.6-29.5l24-88c5.3-19.4-4.6-39.7-23.2-47.4l-96-40c-16.3-6.8-35.2-2.1-46.3 11.6L304.7 368C234.3 334.7 177.3 277.7 144 207.3L193.3 167c13.7-11.2 18.4-30 11.6-46.3l-40-96z\"><\/path><\/svg><a href=\"tel:973-655-3418\">973-655-3418<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"prpl-band no-margin next-steps\">\n\t<div class=\"text-content\">\n\t\t<div class=\"prpl-row\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"prpl-column one-half\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"next-steps-left\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Next Steps<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Wherever you learn\u2014on campus or online\u2014ÌÇÐÄvlog offers the programs, community and support to help you reach your goals. Take the next step today.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/apply-to-montclair-state\/\" class=\"program-sock\">Apply Now<\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/request-information\/\" class=\"program-sock\">Request Information<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"prpl-column one-half\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"next-steps-right\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Learn on Campus<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Immersive classes, vibrant campus life and hands-on experiences that put you at the center of it all. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/program-finder\/?modality[]=in-person\" class=\"program-sock\">Explore Majors &amp; Minors <\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button ghost-red\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/red-hawk-life\/\" class=\"program-sock\">The Campus Experience<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Learn Online<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>ÌÇÐÄvlog offers the same nationally recognized faculty, engaging coursework and supportive community as our on-campus classes - designed to fit your life. With multiple start dates each year, you can begin when the time is right for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"prpl-button-row\"><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/program-finder\/?modality[]=online\" class=\"program-sock\">Explore Majors &amp; Minors<\/a><\/span><span class=\"prpl-button\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/online\/\" class=\"program-sock\">The Online Experience<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montclair State\u2019s online graduate certificate in Child Advocacy and Policy provides you with an interdisciplinary understanding of the role of a child advocate.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":5249,"template":"","degree_type":[],"program_type":[28],"modality":[8],"college":[34],"area_of_study":[50],"program_level":[12],"class_list":["post-5248","program-page","type-program-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","program_type-certificate","modality-online","college-chss","area_of_study-public-service-and-the-humanities","program_level-graduate"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page\/5248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program-page"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page\/5248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9234,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-page\/5248\/revisions\/9234"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"degree_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/degree_type?post=5248"},{"taxonomy":"program_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_type?post=5248"},{"taxonomy":"modality","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/modality?post=5248"},{"taxonomy":"college","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college?post=5248"},{"taxonomy":"area_of_study","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/area_of_study?post=5248"},{"taxonomy":"program_level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program_level?post=5248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}