Working with Military Families (Certificate)


At a Glance: program details

Certificate Map

This exciting certificate program pairs the courses and practical experience that prepare you to pursue a career working with military personnel and their families.

Program Description

Students in all majors will benefit from the knowledge gained by completing the requirements for this certificate. Understanding and appreciating the similarities and differences in civilian and military culture will help students become more inclusive coworkers, managers and community members with those in the military community and their families.

Important complexities surround 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, war, combat, trauma and death. Students interested in careers focusing on these families have a need to understand normative family processes, stress and coping, and military culture and leadership.

Students enrolled in this program take a unique combination of academic coursework and military leadership training. Students who complete the certificate program are conversant with human development, marital and familial relationships, and family dynamics in the context of military culture.


Program Requirements

The certificate requires 18 credit hours. At least 12 credit hours must be completed at the upper-division level and a grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) or higher is required in all courses.
Required Courses -- 15 credit hours
Internship Requirement -- 3 credit hours
Students are required to complete a capstone internship project that includes a field work experience, a written integrative paper and an oral presentation.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.

Enrollment Requirements

There are no additional admission requirements other than those required for admission to ASU.

A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.


Career Outlook

Students can become more marketable to employers and advance their career options when they complement their major with this undergraduate certificate specialization in working with military families.

Students who complete this undergraduate certificate often decide to pursue employment in health care, counseling or social work, sociology or education. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Example Careers

Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.

Social and Human Service Assistants


  • Growth: 8.6%
  • Median Salary*: 38520
  Bright Outlook

Recreational Therapists


  • Growth: 3.6%
  • Median Salary*: 51330

Community Health Workers


  • Growth: 14.1%
  • Median Salary*: 46190
  Bright Outlook

Educational, Guidance and Career Counselors and Advisors


  • Growth: 5.4%
  • Median Salary*: 60140
  Bright Outlook

Clinical and Counseling Psychologists


  • Growth: 11.4%
  • Median Salary*: 90130
  Bright Outlook

Marriage and Family Therapists


  • Growth: 14.9%
  • Median Salary*: 56570
  Bright Outlook

Healthcare Social Workers


  • Growth: 9.6%
  • Median Salary*: 60280
  Bright Outlook

Mental Health Counselors


  • Growth: 18.4%
  • Median Salary*: 49710
  Bright Outlook

Social and Community Service Managers


  • Growth: 9.1%
  • Median Salary*: 74240
  Bright Outlook

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers


  • Growth: 10.6%
  • Median Salary*: 51240
  Bright Outlook

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).




Program Contact Information

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