In this certificate, you’ll study domestic violence advocacy, assessment and safety planning. You’ll also learn how to recognize multiple forms of abuse and prevent domestic violence through healthy relationship education. Additionally, you’ll gain insight into identifying culturally responsive interventions and providing services to survivors across a range of marginalized identities and life circumstances.
Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to:
- Connect community partners to evidence-based interventions for domestic violence survivors.
- Create real-world impact by delivering services to nonprofit or community-based organizations.
- Develop and evaluate policy related to domestic violence prevention and intervention.
- Engage with a professional network of domestic and sexual violence advocates.
- Understand the barriers that marginalized groups face in accessing services and interventions.
What is evidence-based practice?
Evidence-based practice involves using research to draw conclusions, inform decisions and drive actions. This certificate develops your ability to critically examine research and interventions that impact domestic violence survivors. You’ll work with faculty who research domestic violence interventions to understand how research is conceptualized, implemented and disseminated.
Additionally, this program focuses on developing your knowledge related to existing evidence-based interventions for survivors of domestic violence. This includes app-based interventions like myPlan and the use of risk assessment instruments, such as the Danger Assessment.
Who’s a good candidate for this certificate program?
The ideal candidate is passionate about working with people, engaging clients in trauma-informed interventions and focusing on issues of gender and inequality. While this certificate prepares you for careers in a wide range of industries, it’s particularly useful for those in social service, legal/criminal justice, health or human services-related professions.
This certificate also complements graduate studies in law, education, psychology, sociology and more. For those who are dually enrolled in this certificate and ASU’s online Master of Social Work program, the optional practicum can align with the internship requirement for the MSW.
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a common social problem that impacts individuals and families globally. Arizona State University’s online graduate certificate in domestic violence and evidence-based practice will provide you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills needed to engage in domestic violence prevention and intervention across a range of professional settings.
In this certificate, you’ll complete coursework that provides a comprehensive overview of domestic violence and healthy relationships. You’ll also choose from elective courses taught by faculty in the Office of Gender-Based Violence. Additionally, you’ll have the option to complete a practicum for deeper learning and hands-on experience implementing healthy relationship strategies and domestic violence interventions.
The impressive faculty at the School of Social Work inspire the next generation of social workers through real-world solutions to intimate partner violence and related issues such as child welfare, gender-based violence, health and mental health disparities, human trafficking and homicide. Our faculty are among the most prolific social work researchers in the country and many of the texts used in social work programs across the country were written by faculty who teach in the school’s online social work programs. Our faculty includes:
- 7 Fellows of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.
- 11 Fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- 5 Fulbright Scholars.
The School of Social Work is a part of the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions — a comprehensive public service college dedicated to addressing social problems through teaching, research and service. Our programs, which range from public policy and social work to criminal justice and emergency management, are designed to prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities.
in social work research, according to the National Science Foundation, 2023.
best online bachelor’s programs, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2025.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
public university in the U.S. chosen by international students, according to the Institute of International Education, 2022.
for best graduate social work program, according to U.S. News & World Report, 2026.
Applicants to the graduate certificate in domestic violence and evidence-based practice must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in the last 60 hours of their bachelor's program. Alternatively, applicants must have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA in an applicable master's program.
All applicants must submit:
- Graduate admission application and application fee.
- Official transcripts.
- Personal statement.
Your personal statement should be one to three pages in length and should address your professional and career goals, as well as how this program will help you achieve them.
An applicant whose native language is not English (regardless of current residency) must provide proof of English proficiency.
No, Arizona State University’s certificates and diplomas don’t specify whether you earn them online or in person. All certificates, diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”