Victim advocates assist and support crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward a successful recovery.

Advocates may work for domestic violence shelters, crisis centers, crisis hotlines, or with state and county governments to assist crime victims.

What You Will Learn

Course topics include legal terminology, legal process, legislation regarding victims rights, jurisdiction and venue, ethics, effects of victimization on the victim, victim advocate skills, guardianships and crisis intervention. It also covers counseling skills for victims of assault, battery, robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes.

View full Victim Advocacy course syllabus.

Who Should Take the Victim Advocacy Course?

This noncredit professional development program is designed for those who wish to learn victim advocacy and assistance skills.

This program is also pre-approved by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) for those who wish to apply for an NACP credential. Those who successfully complete this program are eligible to apply for the NACP Provisional Credential. Those with experience in victim advocacy may be able to apply for a Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Credential based upon their experience in the field. 

Class Schedule and Format

This noncredit professional development program includes 45 clock hours of training.

The course is fully online, and you can work at your own pace to complete the course activities each week. You do not need to be online at any particular time to complete your course work. You will interact with the instructor via email and an online discussion board.

You will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week completing course activities. Course activities include reading assignments, writing assignments, exams and online discussions.

Victim Advocacy Course start dates: see start dates in the right sidebar.

What Is Included

• 45 clock hours of training
• A Certificate of Completion from University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education upon successful completion of the program
• A digital badge upon successful completion of the program
• Eligibility to apply for the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) Provisional Credential and possibly for the Basic, Intermediate or Advanced Credential based upon their experience in the field. 

NOTE: cost of books/materials and cost of applying for NACP credential is not included in registration fee.