2017 Fact Book

48 The M.A. in Gerontology was developed from the perspective that human beings require meaning and purpose to experience life with a sense of well-being as they grow older. The program’s emphasis is on growing knowledge and skills while challenging attitudes about aging that limit the potential of older lives in the 21st century. A concentration in Professional Geriatric Care Management prepares students for certification in this emerging and critical area. The Master of Human Services in Child Protection provides competency-based child protective services instruction aimed at closing the gap between ground level, on-the-job training and scientifically grounded best practices. The M.S. in Developmental Disabilities is designed to prepare researchers, advocates, administrators, and policy makers to be leaders in community-based or governmental agencies that address the confluence of issues associated with developmental disabilities throughout the life span. Upon completion of this program, with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, students are prepared to pursue certification as a Behavior Analyst. In addition, students selecting the Child Life Specialist concentration are eligible, upon graduation, to pursue certification as a Child Life Specialist. The mission of the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities (ARSH), is the production, dissemination, and utilization of scientific knowledge in the areas of substance abuse, health risk behaviors, and health disparities among vulnerable populations. Internationally renowned social scientists are the recipients of numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health, among other sources. In addition, DJHS has continued to receive external funding to conduct research and program evaluation in a number of health and human services fields on such topics as criminal justice recidivism and civil citations. CAHSS offers several graduate certificates and concentration programs including: advanced conflict resolution practice, family systems health care, paralegal studies, peace studies, college student personnel administration, qualitative research, family studies, solution-focused coaching, and national security affairs. Graduate certificate programs provide knowledge, methods, and skills leading to career advancement and life enlightenment in the fields of study. As a concentration, the area of interest allows students to specialize while studying in their field. The Family Therapy Clinic at the Brief Therapy Institute (BTI) provides individuals, couples, and families with a variety of consultation, therapy, and outreach services. The team of professionals can assist clients with couple’s difficulties, parenting problems, divorce adjustment, family conflicts, chronic illness or stress management, depression, anxiety, and other troubling issues. By enlisting the clients’ strengths to empower productive change, the BTI provides quality therapeutic services beyond typical mental health care. SUPERB (Students United with Parents and Educators to Resolve Bullying) offers an all-age preventive program designed to meet the specific needs of an individual school or a district to resolve bullying in their educational environment, thanks to Senator Jeremy Ring’s generous gift and enduring support.