Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate

Are you ready to make a difference?

The Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of anti-trafficking efforts and promising practices. The courses are aligned with the 4 P’s model of Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership adopted by the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Combat and Monitor Trafficking in Persons, while including a 5th P: Policy.

Taught by practitioner-experts in the subject matter, these 13 courses provide novices and professionals with the knowledge to identify roles, promising practices, and strengthen community efforts to combat all aspects of human trafficking and exploitation.

“This Certificate will establish a baseline of knowledge for professional and students from many disciplines. The literature supports a best-practice multidisciplinary team approach to all aspects of anti-human trafficking.

For professionals, earning this certificate will provide a strong foundation to bring existing expertise to the table in ways that expand our community and value your unique contribution. Completing the certificate demonstrates commitment and a clear knowledge base. We believe that it will validate your achievement and improve your opportunities for advancement.”

—Dr. Sandra Morgan, Director, Global Center for Women and Justice

Who should apply?

The AHT Certificate courses are designed for front line responders of all types, students and the faith based community. People wanting a thorough, broad understanding of human trafficking and exploitation are welcome, as well.

Two Versions of the AHTC Program​

There are two versions of the AHTC program: the professional and the academic. The professional AHTC program has been priced for those students not requiring academic units.

What is our non-credit version?

We are offering non-credited courses to students who have graduated from the AHTC program previously and are interested in expanding their understanding of human trafficking through further course work. This program will have all the same instructors, the same curriculum, and the same course length. However, each course taken will not have any college units and the cost for the course will be significantly reduced: $399 per course.

Interested in a cohort?

For those organizations having groups wanting to complete the AHTC as a cohort, this option is possible. For groups wanting the academic AHTC program, the minimum size for the cohort is ten to twelve people.

Why online?

The online platform allows for asynchronous learning which, in turn, adapts to your busy schedule. Most of our student are working professionals, so the online format allows for students to work full time and still get accredited courses in human trafficking with minimum impact to your personal and family life.

Program Requirements

The AHTC can be accomplished by completing four courses. Two courses are mandated: WJST 345 Human Trafficking and WJST 440 Ethics & Human Trafficking. The remaining two courses are chosen by the student based on their interests. Alternate courses are available every eight weeks each semester. No previous college education is required to apply for the AHTC program.

“The program was recommended by a mentor of mine who knew my activity and saw a lot of value in me attending the online classes. Apart from the actual certification, the skills I have gained through the program have already been put in place: I implemented self-care routines that I use not only with my team but with the practitioners we train, we created a resource on this that now serves both the other NGOs and state workers.

It was a great professional development opportunity for me in the area, since I could have access to quality higher education, without actually having to pause my work in order to attend it. Although it was in English and based in the US, I was very pleased to see how applicable it was in my country, Romania.”

—Ioana Sandescu, Director, eLiberare

Courses

The 12 unit Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate includes choosing four of 13 courses. Two courses are required and provide the foundation for the certificate: Human Trafficking and Ethics & Human Trafficking. Students then choose two courses from the remaining 11 courses to complete their certificate requirements. Completion of this study program will provide both academic knowledge and pragmatic techniques for field practitioners.

  • This course will give an introductory overview of contemporary human trafficking and slavery, including sex trafficking, bonded labor, forced labor, child soldiers, and domestic servant slavery.

  • While discussing the theories of child development, early childhood trauma, and the stages of change, a key of the CSEC curriculum will be to identify strategies for early intervention with at-risk and vulnerable youth.

  • Topics examined will include understanding sex trafficking and its dynamics, prevention strategies, protection of victims, investigation and prosecution of cases using laws and policies regarding sex trafficking.

  • Topics examined will include understanding types of demand, how demand impacts the extent of human trafficking, prevention strategies, protection of victims, investigation and prosecution of cases and policies regarding those who demand various kinds of human trafficking.

  • In light of best practices, this course seeks to equip students with the knowledge needed to understand the holistic needs of human trafficking survivors as they begin their aftercare and restoration process.

  • Students will investigate different types of collaborative strategies, and how to build effective partnerships to enhance anti-trafficking efforts, both domestically and internationally.

  • Student will explore different types of prevention challenges and models and determine which prevention activities and processes may enhance anti-trafficking efforts in their locations and areas of expertise.

  • Students will investigate the responsibility of business, consumers and media through the lens of a biblical ethics framework related to Human Dignity and Purpose in relation to trafficking.

  • Faith-based organizations roles in anti-trafficking collaborations will be discussed, how they can contribute to prevention, protection of victims and human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

  • Topics examined will include understanding investigations, how they can impact human trafficking efforts, protection and interviewing of victims, how investigations inform effective prosecution of cases and policies regarding investigating human trafficking situations.

  • Students will investigate the domestic and international scope of the problem, how it relates to sex trafficking, how supply chains can reveal labor trafficking, and how collaborations can stop labor trafficking practices.

  • The relationship between human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, risk factors and circumstances leading to populations being vulnerable to being exploited, and alternate strategies for identifying smuggled migrants and preventing them from being exploited will be explored.

  • The issues around human trafficking grant writing and management will be addressed—including federal, state and foundation grant opportunities—and how to manage grants received for anti-trafficking efforts.

Study the issues. Be a voice. Make a difference.

A Benefit for Many Careers

The courses are built to supplement understanding for a variety of careers involving victim services, law enforcement, education & training, and missionary work. Many of our students are working in the anti-human trafficking field, or move on to work in the anti-human trafficking field. However, you can take the courses to gain a broader and more thorough understanding of human trafficking and exploitation issues, as well. Common careers include:

  • Law enforcement

  • Education

  • Social workers

  • Faith-based organizations

  • Victims services

  • School counselor

  • Nurse/Doctor/Medical Services

  • Lawyer/Judge

  • Hospitality

  • Agriculture

  • Victim/Legal Advocate

  • Supply Chain Ethical Management

Frequently Asked Questions

  • There are a number of ways to finance your Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate. Students may receive institutional scholarships, potential tuition reimbursement, or may cover the majority or all of their costs through the loans the Federal Government offers.

    • Academic Scholarships: Vanguard University offers academic scholarships based on your cumulative undergraduate GPA.

    • Apply for Aid: follow the steps to apply for financial aid.

    • Federal Loans: most graduate students qualify for federal unsubsidized student loans of $20,500 per academic year.

    • Affiliate Partners: employees of our affiliate partners may be eligible for a 10% tuition discount.

    • Employer Tuition Reimbursement: contact your employer to see if they provide assistance.

  • New classes begin every eight weeks online.

  • Students are encouraged to apply at any time as classes start every eight weeks. The priority application deadline is three weeks prior to a class start.

  • In each accelerated class, you can expect to complete approximately 15-20 hours of coursework each week.

  • Typically students complete the program in 1.5 years.

    Students may also complete the courses alongside another degree/program and complete the program in four years.

  • Our courses are instructed by expert practitioners who are currently working in the anti-trafficking field as law enforcement, social workers, or aftercare services. They are deeply committed to our mission of equipping students and professionals in their respective fields.

    One reason that mission has been consistently fulfilled is that the professors bring to the program a wide variety of academic training, interests, and experience.

“What I learned deepened my understanding of anti-trafficking work, and I was able to help develop a specific “track” for trafficking survivors when we opened a new community resource center here in El Salvador’s capital this past January. My professional language and understanding also was impacted and I have been involved in several groups working specifically against trafficking in El Salvador. I was able to contribute to a nationwide anti-trafficking campaign as well.

As a missionary who is passionate about ministering to survivors, I found myself managing a steep learning curve. Having access to this training online from El Salvador made a huge difference in the development and implementation of ministry for this population.”

—Danielle Snyder, Anti-Trafficking Program Director

Are you ready to get started?

If you think this is the perfect fit, we invite you to apply now. We can’t wait to help you study the issues, to be a voice, and to make a difference. And if you still have some questions, we’d love to chat! Click here to contact us—we look forward to meeting you.