AHT Certificate

Anti-Human Trafficking Certificate

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.

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.

WJST 345 Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking

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.

WJST 430 Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)

CSEC

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.

WJST 432 Sex Trafficking

Sex Trafficking

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.

WJST 434 Human Trafficking & Demand

Demand

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.

WJST 435 Human Trafficking Survivor Care

Survivor Care

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.

WJST 437 Human Trafficking & Collaborations

Collaborations

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

WJST 439 Human Trafficking Prevention

Prevention

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.

WJST 440 Ethics & Human Trafficking

Ethics

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.

WJST 442 Faith Based Responses to Human Trafficking

Faith Based Responses

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.

WJST 444 Human Trafficking Investigations

Investigations

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.

WJST 445 Labor Trafficking

Labor Trafficking

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.

WJST 447 Human Trafficking & Smuggling of Migrants

Smuggling of Migrants

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.

WJST 449 Human Trafficking Grant Management

Grant Management

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.

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

Study the issues, make a difference.

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.

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.

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.

Build a career foundation.

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.

CAREERS THAT BENEFIT:

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

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 material 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.

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 to minister 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.

FAQs

How often do new classes begin?

New classes begin every eight weeks online.

How much does it cost?

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.

Current Tuition Costs.
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.

When is the priority deadline?

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.

What is the workload for each course?

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

How long will it take to complete?

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.

Who will I be taking classes from?

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.