University of South Dakota
About University of South Dakota
We’re USD – the state’s flagship university: The big-time university with a small-college feel. We’re memorable mentors and lifelong friends. We’re world-class academics and out-of-class opportunities. We’re innovative technology and long-standing tradition. We’re your university. We Are South Dakota.
Frequently Asked Questions
In what department(s) or field(s) of study is your CAST program housed?
What is the nature of your CAST program? Is it a Major, Minor, Certificate program, or something else?
What CAST course delivery options exist at your institution (e.g. online, face-to-face, hybrid)?
What are the enrollment requirements for your CAST program?
1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with translation) must accompany an application for all students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Baccalaureate degree must be from an institution with full regional accreditation for that degree.
4. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.7 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
5. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, a minimum score of 79 on the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) or 550 on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), a minimum IELTS score of 6.0, or a minimum PTE score of 53 is required for graduate admission. Applicants from or who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from English-speaking countries are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score if their academic records after review indicate that English was the classroom language for their schoolwork.
Application Deadline: December 1
What courses do you offer under your CAST programming?
HSC 555 Traumatic Stress Across the Lifespan
HSC 565 Perspectives of Child and Adult Maltreatment: A Multidisciplinary Team Approach
HSC 570 Professional and System Response to Maltreatment
HSC 595 Practicum in Child and Adult Advocacy Studies
When are your CAST courses being offered?
Every Spring HSC 555 Traumatic Stress Across the Lifespan
Every Summer HSC 565 Perspectives of Child and Adult Maltreatment: A
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
HSC 570 Professional and System Response to Maltreatment
Every Fall HSC 595 Practicum in Child and Adult Advocacy Studies
What is enrollment like for your CAST program?
TBD
Why do students need CAST?
Students completing the courses in this certificate program will be better equipped to carry out the work of various agencies and systems (healthcare, criminal justice, law, education, and social services) as they advocate on behalf of the needs of children and adults as victims and survivors of abuse. Through offering a sequence of coursework and other experiential learning opportunities, the certificate will partner with community healthcare organizations to help improve interdisciplinary practices and reduce child and adult maltreatment.
What are some career opportunities for your CAST graduates?
Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Family Law, Crminal Justice, School Counseling, Nursing, Public Health, and Mental Health
