Overview

Grand Valley's Victim Advocacy and Services graduate badge offers a hybrid learning experience, combining online and in-person classes at the City Campus. It aims to equip students with essential skills in victim advocacy through culturally competent and trauma-informed approaches.

The curriculum includes topics such as the crime victims' rights movement, relevant legislation, and the criminal-legal process. Key courses are Victimology, Crime Victim Advocacy & Services, and Trauma-Informed Response in the Criminal Justice System, taught by experienced faculty members.

This digital badge can be displayed on social media and professional platforms, highlighting your specialized skills to potential employers. Additionally, the program's efficient structure allows for completion in one year or less, making it an excellent option for those seeking to quickly advance their careers in victim advocacy.

A digital badge, or badge, is a record of achievement that recognizes a student's completion of a coherent and meaningful academic experience. GVSU offers both credit and non-credit bearing badges as digital credentials. Credit-bearing badges include anywhere from 0.5 to 15 academic credits and may include additional noncredit criteria. Credit-bearing badges are also posted to the academic transcript.

Admission Information

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. You must submit an official transcript from your baccalaureate degree granting institution. To start your application, click here. 

For current GVSU students:

• Declare your badge via myBanner. Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate badge from the drop down list, and click Submit.
• Speak with the appropriate badge coordinator to ensure criteria are being met. You will be able to track your progress toward the badge in myPath as well!
• Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the badge via myBanner.
• Once the completion of your badge has been verified, the badge will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. In addition, your digital badge will be posted on Credly.com.

School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies

273C Richard M. DeVos Center
(616) 331-7178