Graduate Certificate in Child Policy

This 16-unit Graduate Certificate in Child Policy at BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development will prepare professionals to develop skills and knowledge needed for child and youth policy and advocacy. It is intended for those interested in working on behalf of children (currently served in education, health, or social service settings). Courses examine issues in education policy, health policy, immigration, criminal justice, and the policymaking process. This certificate will provide the theoretical, empirical, and practical knowledge necessary to understand applied developmental science research as well as the history and facts behind current policies. It will also focus on how to disseminate such knowledge to policymakers via networking and written communication.

The certificate can be completed online asynchronously within two terms (spring and summer) or through a part-time schedule at the learner’s own pace. Learning modality within the online certificate is flexible and available through asynchronous content modules that include materials such as readings, activities, podcasts, and webinars. Occasional optional asynchronous virtual course sessions are offered to help students create community and interact with the instructor and classmates, if they wish.

Learning Outcomes

Students who have completed the Graduate Certificate in Child Policy will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

• Understand how research knowledge of child development and education can be used to inform domestic and international policy.
• Understand the field of public policy and the process and cycles of policymaking.
• Synthesize and summarize historical and current policies affecting children, youth, and their families.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and network with policy stakeholders via oral and written communication and how to disseminate this knowledge via policy networks.

Requirements

Required Courses

Spring Term (8 units)

• WED AP 631 Child Policy (4 units)
• WED AP 632 Child and Youth Advocacy (2 units)
• WED EC 506 Current Issues in Early Childhood Education (2 units)

Summer 1 Term (8 units)

• WED AP 505 Current Issues in Child Poverty & Health (2 units)
• WED AP 526 Family & Community Engagement (2 units)
• WED AP 635 Public Policy for Research (4 units)

Additional Information

Yearly cohorts for this certificate will begin in the spring term (starting in January) immediately followed by summer 1 term (ending in June). If a student were to take all the courses offered within each term, then they would complete the certificate within those two terms.