This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Program mission
The graduate Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention is designed to prepare individuals for positions related to understanding, studying, responding to and preventing sexual and domestic violence in a variety of communities and settings. It provides specialized study in gender violence and can be earned on its own, or in conjunction with another graduate degree in the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs or the School of Social Work.
Program goals
- The program will guide students in the development of strong academic understanding related to gender violence intervention.
- The program will guide students in the development of skills in applying academic concepts to the practice of gender violence intervention.
Student learning outcomes
- Academic understanding
- Students will have knowledge of common types of gender violence.
- Students will have knowledge of theoretical perspectives of gender violence.
- Students will have knowledge of gender violence policies.
- Skills
- Students will have the ability to demonstrate methods of applying concepts to problems, practice and policy.
- Students will demonsrate professional behaviors and boundaries while working in GVI settings and with diverse populations.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Fall | Feb 1 (early admission); Apr 1 (priority deadline); May 1 (final deadline) | |
| Spring | Oct 1 |
Applicants must meet all general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School.
Students with a B.A. or B.S. degree are eligible for admission into the certificate program. Relevant course work or practical experience will be considered in evaluating admission and substitution of courses. No more than six hours of substitution or equivalency credit will be granted. An overall GPA of 3.0 is required to receive the certificate, and no more than one grade of C may be earned in the certificate program curriculum.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, a total of 15 graduate credit hours is required to earn the Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention. Five courses are required, including an internship (three credit hours) that offers the opportunity for involvement in all phases of work in this field.
Curriculum requirements
Required courses
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| GVPA 623 | Applied Research Methods | 3 |
| GVPA 635 | Theorizing Gender Violence | 3 |
| GVPA 693 | Internship | 3 |
| PADM 650 | Principles of Nonprofit Management | 3 |
| SLWK 761 | Interpersonal Violence in Clinical Social Work Practice | 3 |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this certificate is 15.
Students who complete the requirements for this program will receive a Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention.
Students pursuing the Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention have an opportunity to combine their studies with a Master of Social Work.
The combined Master of Social Work and Certificate in Gender Violence Intervention is a coordinated effort among the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, the School of Social Work and community advocates working in the area of sexual and domestic violence.
Application process
Apply online at VCU Graduate Admissions. For additional information, contact:
Elizabeth Cramer, Ph.D.
Professor, School of Social Work
ecramer@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 828-9029
Sarah Jane Brubaker, Ph.D.
Director, Gender Violence Intervention Program
sbrubaker@vcu.edu
Phone: (804) 827-2400
Contact
Sarah Jane Brubaker, Ph.D.
Associate professor and graduate program director
sbrubaker@vcu.edu
(804) 827-2400
Additional contact
Wilder School recruitment
wsrecruit@vcu.edu
(804) 827-0364
Program website: wilder.vcu.edu/academic/certificate/intervention.html