Certificate in LGBT Human Services and Mental Health

Program Description/Overview

This program is designed to meet the growing need for clinicians to develop competencies in working with lesbian, gay male, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified (LGBTQ) individuals, couples and families. The program focuses on assisting clinicians to develop multicultural competencies specific to the intersecting identities of LGBTQ clients, increase an understanding of the historical and cultural influences impacting LGBTQ clients, and identify best practice procedures for assessing and addressing issues in LGBTQ mental health. In addition, the certificate provides supervision in community engagement and advocacy creating a future in active social change. The certificate provides courses that address the competencies recommended by the American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines for the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified populations. The courses are offered as electives through the Systemwide Office of Online Education for CSPP and are available to students in all CSPP Programs and on all Alliant Campuses. The courses may be taken individually or as part of the Certificate/Specialization. Required certificate courses are offered annually and elective courses are offered at least once every three years. Placing the courses in the online environment creates the unique opportunity for Alliant students to engage with Rockway Core Faculty from all of our campuses, as well as national and international experts invited to teach special topics for the certificate. In some courses, 2-4 different instructors combine their expertise to teach students, guiding them through the ever-growing research and clinical literature about the LGBTQ community.

In order to complete the certificate, it may be necessary to enroll for more than the required number of units for your program and it could add time to your matriculation at CSPP/Alliant. Please consult your Program Director and campus student advisor about the effects of the certificate on your entire program of study.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

The program focuses on helping clinicians:

1. increase understanding of the historical and cultural influences impacting LGBTQ clients,

2. develop multicultural competencies specific to LGBTQ clients, and

3. identify best practice procedures for assessing and addressing issues in LGBTQ mental health.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 12

Total Core Credit Units: 3

Total Elective Credit Units: 9

Total Concentration Credit Units: N/A

Curriculum Plan

All certificate students are required to take the Foundations of LGBTQ Mental Health Course, and this is recommended as the first entry course into the Rockway experience (typically offered in the Fall semester). The remaining required units are divided into two groups of electives: Advanced Study Electives (in which the focus is on a specific group within the LGBTQ community) and Cross Population Electives (which examine issues that impact all groups within the larger LGBTQ community). Students are required to take at least one Advanced Study Course. Additional courses may be taken from either group to round out the 12 unit requirement. The philosophy behind this distribution is based upon the student’s preference for breadth versus depth. This assures minimal competence for working with all LGBTQ communities while allowing for greater knowledge and competence working with one specific community.