Eastern adds victim services & advocacy program following student demand
Undergraduate certificate prepares students to work with victims of crime
Willimantic, CT (06/30/2026) — Eastern Connecticut State University will offer a new undergraduate certificate program this fall 2026 semester in victim services & advocacy. Designed to complement a bachelor's degree or serve as a standalone credential for working professionals, the new certificate program prepares students to work with and advocate for victims of crime through coursework in criminology, sociology, and social work.
The 15-credit certificate is designed for students interested in victim services, advocacy, social services, and law enforcement, as well as professionals seeking to strengthen their knowledge and preparation in these areas.
Students will develop skills in communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and ethical decision-making while learning to support individuals and communities affected by victimization.
"There is a real need for victim advocates in the workforce," said social work Professor Sarah Nightingale. "I am excited to train students in a way that will meet the needs of our community partners and help connect those partners with students who are prepared to do this important work."
The program was developed in response to growing student interest in victim advocacy and support services.
"The share of students reporting that they are interested in working with victims of crime has increased over the years, and we wanted to create an interdisciplinary curriculum that would better prepare students for this work," said criminology/sociology Professor Racheal Pesta, noting that the certificate also benefits students interested in policing.
"Working with victims is an often overlooked but critical aspect of law enforcement," she said. "We hope this certificate will help students interested in policing develop the interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with victims of crime."
- Website: https://www.easternct.edu/sociology/programs-of-study/undergraduate-certificate-victim-services-and-advocacy.html
- Contact Sarah Nightingale (nightingales@easternct.edu) or Racheal Pesta (pestar@easternct.edu) for more information.
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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Eastern Connecticut State University
Michael Rouleau, (860) 465-0172, rouleaum@easternct.edu; communications@easternct.eduShare this Story
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