In honor of those who have fallen victim to crime.
In memory of those whose lives have ended too soon.
Dedicated to those who work to make the world a better place.

This intensive online program is designed to train and qualify students to provide assistance to crime victims. The course provides an overview of criminal procedure and discusses the devastating effects crime can have on its victims.

EXPECTATIONS: This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week reading and completing writing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is the equivalent of at least 50 course contact hours. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.


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Lesson Topics

Lesson One: Introduction Victim Advocacy and Legislation regarding Victim Rights

Lesson Two: Introduction to the Legal Process and Effects of Victimization on the Victim

Lesson Three: Victim Advocate Skills and "ISMs" (a look at bias in victim advocacy)

Lesson Four: Assault, Battery, and Robbery and Homicide & Suicide

Lesson Five: Domestic Violence

Lesson Six: Sexual Assault/Rape and Child Abuse

Course Wrap-Up and Job Hunting Techniques

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay assignment covering the topics in that lesson's reading. These assignments are due by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.

EXAMS: You will complete two exams. Each is worth 100 points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Three Assignments; the Final exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Six Assignments.

BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Forums' under Activities on the Left Hand Block.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six writing assignment assignments, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and writing assignments can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Assignments' under Activities on the Left Hand Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six writing assignments are worth 50 points each and comprise 40% of your grade.
• The two exams are worth 100 points and comprise 40% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 20% of your grade.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a $15 non-refundable administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email info@legalstudies.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class no refunds will be issued.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The Center for Legal Studies gratefully acknowledges contributions to the development of this course: Patty Mosher, Victim Assistance Program Director in Douglas County, Colorado, for providing access to her program and research materials; Leigh Builder, Victim Assistance Advocate in Atlanta, Georgia, for providing national information and research materials; Joseph Arseneau, former police officer and educational researcher, for providing research development and contacts as well as initial inspiration for the certificate program format; Annalisa Philbin, J.D. for her legal expertise; and Alison Hatch, Director of Continuing Education at the Center for Legal Studies, and former Legal Victim Assistant in Boulder Colorado, for editing and researching.