Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery involving the use of force, fraud, or coercion to induce an individual to perform labor or commercial sex acts. Trafficking happens all around us but without the proper training, it is difficult to recognize. An average person should receive human trafficking training to recognize the signs of exploitation, understand how traffickers operate, and report suspected cases safely. Because trafficking can happen anywhere, in any community, public awareness is a crucial tool for preventing this crime. This course teaches students about the phenomenon of human trafficking, how to recognize red flags and indicators associated with trafficking, and how to interact in a trauma-informed way with trafficked individuals if doing so is part of your job.
Number of Units: 3.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours
Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for professionals and students who are interested in learning how to identify possible human trafficking victims to end the cycle.
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Every professional development course offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education is taught by faculty members who possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.
Ami Carpenter, PhD
Associate Professor
An expert in Interethnic Conflict Resolution, Dr. Carpenter has worked on numerous initiatives as a mediator, facilitator, trainer and conflict resolution consultant. Her research includes the connection between transnational gangs and criminal networks in Central America and gang involvement in sex trafficking in San Diego County.
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Courses offer a convenient, yet rigorous style of learning that allows you to structure your education to suit your schedule while keeping you on pace toward achieving your educational goals.
Online fixed-date courses are delivered virtually but follow a predetermined schedule, requiring students to complete assignments, participate in discussions, and take assessments by specific deadlines—much like a traditional classroom. The key difference is that while traditional courses are conducted in person at set times and locations, online fixed-date courses allow students to engage remotely, offering more flexibility in where they learn while preserving structure and accountability through fixed timelines. (Note: Any scheduled Zoom sessions will be outlined on the class schedule.) These courses have fixed start and finish dates, but as an online student you will have 24/7 online access to your classroom assignments, syllabus and course resources. Instructor feedback is shared along with the graded assignments.
How is the learning structured? Each online fixed-date course is asynchronous, meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime, although you are required to complete the assignments by specific dates. The course is designed with learning modules where all of the content is grouped into weekly assignments. Each module covers one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:
• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments with due dates (which may include: written assignments, journal entries, research, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Discussion forum where you answer prompts from the instructor and interact with your classmates.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.