• Define the rights and responsibilities of a victim advocate
• Summarize the relevant legislation regarding victim advocacy and background of victim advocacy
• Summarize the American legal system and the American system of government
• Discuss both the civil and criminal litigation processes
• Discuss how crime affects victims
• Identify the elements of the grief process and PTSD
• Explain how to work with the victim’s family and the media definitions of racism, sexism, and heterosexism
• Define classism, ageism, and ableism
• Demonstrate how to respond to victims of hate crimes
• Explain guidelines for death notification and for providing support after death notification
• Identify victim advocacy skills for working with surviving family members of a homicide victim
• Identify suicide behavioral distress signals
• Demonstrate techniques for assisting suicidal persons and tools for suicide prevention
• Identify patterns of domestic violence
• List characteristics of abusers and victims
• Explain how to counsel victims of domestic violence
• Discuss how to recognize signs of child abuse
• Identify common myths regarding rape
• Describe the effects of sexual assault and rape
• Demonstrate how to respond to victims of sexual assault and rape
• Identify the elements of sexual abuse, child neglect, physical abuse, and emotional abuse
• Identify techniques for intervention and support in child abuse situations

Writing Assignments: Six assignments, each worth 50 points, making up 40% of your grade.
Exams: Two exams, each worth 100 points, making up 40% of your grade.
Class Participation: Bulletin Board Submissions making up 20% of your grade.
To pass the course, you must complete every assignment with at least a 70% score.

Participants will be prepared to work in victim advocacy arenas, such as domestic violence shelters, crisis centers and crisis hotlines, and with state and county governments to assist crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward successful recovery.
Upon graduation from the course, you will be eligible for the Provisional Credential through the National Advocacy Credentialing Program (NACP) in affiliation with the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). Your prior experience in the field may also qualify you for the Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced Credential through the NACP.

Victim advocates provide invaluable legal services, including:
• Advocating for victims’ rights and guardianship
• Reviewing related legislation
• Crisis intervention
• Counseling victims of assault, battery, robbery, domestic violence, child abuse, and other crimes

A career as a Victim Advocate could offer opportunities to work in various places, such as:
• Domestic violence shelters
• Crisis centers
• Hotlines
• Government agencies

This is an accelerated course. This course is the equivalent of at least 45 hours of study.
You will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments.
Extensions are not granted, and a minimum passing score of 70% is required on all tests and assignments.

There are no required texts for this topic.

Guidelines
• The loan amount must be at least $500.00.
• The loan amount in the application cannot exceed the enrollment fee noted on our website.
• Books will NOT be included in the loan amount.
• Service charges may apply.
• When applying for the Continuing Education Private Loan, please use the UTRGV Continuing Education School Code: 003599.

Lender Information
• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley does not endorse or recommend any specific lenders for private loans. You are free to select any lender offering private loans. We recommend you compare loans from several vendors to find the best interest rates/terms and repayment options.
• When exploring loan options, please ensure the lender offers loans for non-credit continuing education programs.
• Our department has identified that Sallie Mae offers private loans that may be used for continuing education programs. This is shared for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement.

Submit a required written request via email three business days before the program start date. Weekends are not considered. Partial refunds are not allowed.