Students are trained to understand the child in terms of where he or she is in the ongoing process of growth and development and explore aspects of development with respect to spiritual, social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral spheres that impact such process. The practitioners’ approach will be from a holistic perspective concerned about every aspect of the child’s development.

STRUCTURE

The professional diploma is taught from a Christian perspective. The eighteen (18) months program comprises of forty two (42) semester credits including thirteen (13) core courses and a practicum with an academic credit value of three (3) semester credit hours.

Participants are expected to complete all the core courses listed in the curriculum during the eighteen month period in order to qualify for the diploma.

CURRICULUM

A total of forty two (42) credit hours are required for this program and each course is currently developed as a three (3) credit hour course.

Core (Required) Courses (39 credit hours)

Segment One

Students are expected to complete all of the required courses.

HCD 101 Effective Research and Writing

HCD 102 Theological Foundations of Childhood

HCD 103 Theories and Processes of Holistic Child Development

HCD 104 Child, Church and Mission

HCD 105 Child Development in the Caribbean Context

HCD 106 Trauma, Recovery and Resilience in Child Development

HCD 107 Intervention Strategies for Holistic Child Development of Children at Risk

Segment Two

HCD 201 Holistic Child Development Curriculum Design

HCD 202 Caring for and Equipping Caregivers

HCD 203 Christian Leadership in Holistic Child Development

HCD 204 Research and Design

HCD 205 Legal and Ethical Issues in Holistic Child Development

HCD 206 Program Management and Facilitation

HCD 207 Holistic Child Development Practicum

Elective ( Three hours)

HCD 208 Biblical Stewardship and Fund Development.   This course could serve as a substitute for HCD 203 Christian Leadership in Holistic Child Development.

PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATION/MODALITY

The programme is offered predominantly through distance education format. The distance education package is delivered online with a focus on independent study backed by peer and instructor support through online conferences and face-to-face meetings with students in your territory. This online format allows students to take coursework from anywhere in the Caribbean. Therefore, students will need to have access to high speed  internet facilities. 

COMPETENCIES

On completion of the Diploma in Holistic Child Development, students should be able to articulate and balance the theories, practices and theological perspectives in a holistic, integrative and critical manner. Students are expected to integrate Child, Church and Mission issues in the context of Children at Risk in the Caribbean. Furthermore, they will be equipped with strategic skills for appropriate intervention, care and recovery as well as to provide innovative and effective leadership in a wide variety of child development situations in the Caribbean. 

The programme focuses on the training of key childcare workers specifically those who are involved in the care, development and protection of Children at Risk. The Christian perspective integrates faith with theory and practice. It is within this context that Compassion International (CI Caribbean) and the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology have formed a partnership to provide training for ‘Children at Risk workers’ ministering in the Caribbean.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants:

·        Should be Christians

·        Should be working or intend to work with children

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·        Should be recommended by the leaders of their church

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·        Should have been successful in a minimum of five (5) subjects at CXC/GCE O’ Level or equivalent qualifications.

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·        Will be drawn from the various nations of the Caribbean including French, Spanish, and English speaking countries.

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·        Will need to be competent in reading and writing of English.  English is the language of instruction.

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·        Applicants with an undergraduate degree or above would be able to get exemption from specific courses that they completed in an earlier programme.  Exemptions will be granted based on evidence provided from their academic transcript.

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TUITION FEES

Tuition fees for the first cohort is Two Hundred and  Sixteen Dollars (US$216) per course, or Seventy Two Dollars per semester credit hour.