LGBT Human Services and Mental Health Certificate
Offered online to all CSPP students, this LGBT Human Services and Health Certificate program is designed to meet the growing need for behavioral health professionals to develop competencies in working with lesbian, gay male, bisexual and transgender individuals, couples and families. The program focuses on multicultural competencies specific to the intersecting identities of LGBT clients, historical and cultural influences impacting LGBT clients, and best practice procedures for assessing and addressing issues in LGBT mental health.
The certificate provides courses that address the competencies recommended by the
American Psychological Association’s ethical guidelines for the treatment of lesbian,
gay, and bisexual populations. The courses are offered as electives through the 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.
Required certificate courses are offered annually and elective courses will be offered
at least once every three years. Placing the courses in the online environment creates
the unique opportunity for engaging Rockway Core Faculty from all of our campuses, as well as national and international experts in the provision
of course materials. In some courses 2-4 different instructors combine to guide students
through the ever-growing, research and clinical literature about the LGBT community.
All students are required to take the Foundations of LGBT Mental Health Course. The
remaining required units are divided into two Groups: Advanced Study Courses (where
one group within the LGBT community is explored in a more exhaustive way) and LGBT
Electives (which examine therapeutic interventions across all of the LGBT community).
Students are required to take at least one Advanced Study Course and at least two
LGBT Electives. 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. For Example, some students may choose to take
the Foundations, Advanced Study in Transgender Issues, and all of the LGBT Electives—thus
given breadth for therapeutic interventions with all groups, but deeper understanding
of Transgender Issues. Another student may focus on the Advanced Study courses, taking
the Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Gay Male courses while being exposed to Transgender issues
in two elective courses. This assures minimal competence with all LGBT groups, but
allows for greater knowledge and competence with one group.
The certificate is awarded when the student completes 12 units of the coursework
during their graduate matriculation.
LGBT Human Services and Mental Health Certificate Curriculum
Required Courses
All students completing the certificate must take the following courses:
PSY 8500 Foundations of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Mental Health (3
units)
PSY 8515 - Professional Application of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues
(2 units required unless waived)
Advanced Study Courses
At least one of these Advanced Study Courses is required:
PSY 7630 Advanced Study of Bisexual Issues (2 units)
PSY 8500 Advanced Study of Transgender Issues (3 units)
PSY 8500 Advanced Study of Lesbian Issues (2 units)
PSY 8500 Advanced Study of Gay Male Issues (2 units)
LGBT Electives
At least four units must be taken from the following:
PSY 7610-50 LGBT Couples and Families (2 units)
PSY 7605 LGBT-Affirmative Substance Abuse Treatment (2 units)
PSY 8600 Socio-cultural Diversity: LGBT People of Color (3 units)
PSY 8500 LGBT Issues in the Workplace (2 units)
LGBT Lifespan Development (2 units, Fall 2013)
LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy (2 units, Spring 2012)
LGBT Issues in Education (Pre-K through High School) (2 units)
LGBT Health and Medical Issues (2 units)
LGBT Issues in Higher Education (Colleges and Universities) (2 units, Fall 2011)
LGBT Legal and Forensic Issues (2 units)
LGBT Public Policy/Advocacy (Local, State, National, and International Levels) (2
units)
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 advisor about the effect of the certificate on your entire program of study.