Currently there are greater than 2000 battered women’s shelter and advocacy programs, 1300 sexual assault services, and 3000 victim service agencies across the nation. If efforts to end violence against women and children are to succeed, quality leadership is needed. The directors and administrators of these agencies must be well prepared to manage organizations, advocate for change in policy and law, and hold a clear understanding of the factors in our society that enables violence to continue. A 1997 national survey of 350 domestic violence program directors identified a critical need for educational opportunities that provide an understanding of violence against women paired with preparation for management level and policy-related decision making responsibilities.
In response to this need for professional development, the Center offers the Program on Domestic Violence (PDV). The PDV offers an array of academic programs that are preparing current and future leaders to be catalysts for change in the non-profit and public sectors. The course curriculum for the following four academic programs combine online learning with intensive periods of study in Denver:
- Master of Public Administration with a specialization in Domestic Violence Organizational Management and Policy Development
- Master of Criminal Justice with a specialization in Domestic Violence Organizational Management and Policy Development.
- Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence Studies
- Graduate Certificate in Interpersonal Violence and Health Care
The principle outcomes of the PDV are:
- Well-trained leaders and managers for non-profit and public sector organizations working to stop
violence against women.
- Stable and effective service and advocacy programs, more options in service provision, reduced staff turnover, and organizations that become better agents for change in their communities.
Enhanced family violence service provision, policymaking and advocacy in the nation.
- By creating a vehicle through which survivors, direct service professionals, and public policy advocates can gain the skills and credentials necessary to succeed at leadership positions, the PDV is equipping local domestic violence programs across the country with effective and innovative strategies to ending violence against women.