Rural Communities Social Services
Mini Certificate
Six one credit courses
Offered fully online
Certificate Program Description:
This certificate program provides the student with an understanding of the rural
context for social services provision, aspects of rural interventions, and strategies
for maximizing rural community strengths. Dual/multiple relationships in rural/tribal
areas are explored, and a framework for examination of these issues is provided.
Policy implications for rural areas and the need for political advocacy are presented.
Specific client populations will be explored in terms of rural social service provision.
Course Descriptions for Online Classes:
Rural Social Services: Current Issues (offered fall)
This course will present a context for examining the issues unique to providing social
services in rural areas. Students will explore and examine the following: issues
specific to rural areas; strategies that can be utilized to minimize the negative
consequences of dual relationships; ethical considerations resulting from dual/multiple
relationships; accommodation of cultural issues in rural communities.
Rural Social Services: Maximizing Community Strengths (offered winter)
This course will present a context for maximizing community strengths related
to social service provision in rural areas. Students will explore and examine the
following: nonprofit social service organizations; mediating with urban areas; and
rural community-building strategies; accommodation of cultural issues in rural
communities.
Rural Social Services: Policy Issues (offered spring)
This course will present a context for examining policy issues related to social
service provision in rural areas. Students will explore and examine the following:
the impact of technology on rural areas; policy issues affecting rural populations;
partnering and cooperation needed to promote policy changes; accommodation of
cultural issues in rural policy issues.
Rural Social Services: Minorities and Elderly
This course will present a context for examining the health issues facing rural minority
populations and concerns for the rural elderly. Students will explore and examine the
following: parity (or lack of) for access to health care for racial and ethnic minorities;
need for cultural and linguistic competence for health care providers; historical factors
contributing to barriers for health care; housing issues for the elderly; transportation
issues in rural areas; continuum of care in rural areas.
Rural Social Services: Lesbian, Gay, Trans-Gender issues & HIV (offered spring)
This course will present a context for acknowledging, valuing and empowering stigmatized
people in rural areas. Students will explore and examine the following: public
perception of Gays and Lesbians in Rural Areas; practice issues specific to rural Gay
and Lesbians; Managing “Difference”; confidentiality and ethical treatment;
factors affecting life with HIV/AIDS; Roles of social support in rural communities.
Rural Social Services: Mental Health & Chronic Mentally Ill
(offered fall)
This course will present a context for understanding the challenges and opportunities
for services to the chronically mentally ill in rural areas and rural mental health in
general. Students will explore and examine the following: patterns of funding; stigma;
effects of isolation; influence of managed care; characteristics of rural consumers;
children and youth mental health services in rural areas; accommodation of cultural
issues in rural communities.
Tuition: 179.00 per one credit course
For registration or more information please contact
800-457-8887 ext. 4822
psuonline @pdx.edu
