2016-09

Arizona State University
University Senate
Fall 2015

Senate Motion #2016-09

Motion Introduced by: Curriculum and Academic Programs Committee Steven Semken, Chair
 
Date of First Reading: August 31, 2015
 
Date of Second Reading: September 28, 2015
 
Title of Motion: Request from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences – T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics – for the establishment of an undergraduate certificate – Working with Military Families
 
Action Requested: This curricular proposal has received all college, school, unit and university administrative approvals, and is being presented to the Senate for review and voting decision.   


Rationale: There are important complexities surrounding the dynamics of military families. Military personnel, veterans, and their families face unique issues and challenges such as navigating military culture and dealing with multiple deployments, trauma and deaths. Students interested in careers focusing on these families have a need to understand normative family processes, stress and coping. They also need specialized knowledge about military leadership, the unique dynamics and challenges faced by military families, and to be able to apply their knowledge to work effectively with this population. The working with military families certificate is a joint program between Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics. Students enrolled in the program will take a unique combination of courses designed to focus on human development, marital and familial relationships, and military culture and family dynamics (offered by the Sanford School) and military leadership (offered by ROTC). Students who complete the certificate program are expected to pursue careers working to enhance the well-being of military personnel and their families facing deployments, war, combat, and stress.