Trans Youth Support & Advocacy Certificate • Continuing Education • Lewis & Clark Grad School Quick Links Apply Visit Alumni Current Students Counseling Center Library Giving Commencement The Source Newsroom Home / Continuing Education / Certificate Programs / Trans Youth Support & Advocacy Trans Youth Support & Advocacy Certificate This first-of-its-kind continuing education program equips professionals in education, youth services, mental health, and community leadership with the knowledge and tools to support gender-diverse children and youth. Whether you’re shaping curriculum, guiding programs, directly serving youth and their families, or influencing policy, this program prepares you to be a confident, informed agent of change. Certificate at a Glance The certificate program has recently been modified to be more accessible for working professionals, with online classes that only take place on Saturdays. This is a continuing education certificate, and you do not have to be a Lewis & Clark graduate student in order to enroll. This certificate program is beneficial for educators, administrators, support staff, curriculum developers, health care practitioners, psychologists, counselors, and those who wish to better understand and advocate for the needs of gender diverse children, youth, and adults. Format Fully online with live instruction, cohort-based Length Four, 5-week courses meeting on Saturdays, spanning Fall-Summer Frequency Rolling admissions, with a new cohort beginning each fall Cost $385 per credit hour. $1,540 for full certificate (4 credits). View tuition and costs page for current rates Credit Type Graduate continuing education credit (800-level) What You Will Learn: The Rich History of Gender Diversity: The scientific foundations of gender diversity, and exploring our human history where trans and gender-diverse folks have always existed. Child and Adolescent Gender Development: Understand how gender develops in childhood and adolescence, and learn inclusive practices for education, support services, and other youth environments. Navigating the Socio-Political Landscape: Examine media, disinformation, and intersectionality to effectively support and advocate for gender-diverse youth, while building resilience and developing counter narratives. From Policy to Practice: How laws and policies impact gender-diverse children and youth, with practical applications for designing advocacy strategies tailored to your profession. Application and Admission This is a cohort-based program with a limit of 20 participants each year. Cohort participants are not able to take single courses within the program, and must take all four courses to complete the certificate. This is a continuing education certificate, and participants do not need to be a current student at Lewis & Clark Graduate School to apply and enroll. Rolling Admissions Applications will be reviewed and acceptance offers made on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged. Application Materials Two personal essays, resume, official transcript, and an application fee are required. Current Lewis & Clark students and applicants without a bachelor’s degree, contact ccecerts@lclark.edu for application instructions. Application Deadline Now accepting applications for fall 2026. Apply Now Request Program Information 2026-27 Course Sequence, Dates, and Times Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 noon PST | October 17 - November 14, 2026 Participants will learn: How to recognize the appearance of gender diversity through the historical record How society has evolved socially and culturally around gender diversity How different cultures have treated the presence of gender diversity throughout history What impacts scientific development has had on our understanding of gender diversity How historical patterns impact modern understandings of gender diversity Course Description: This course will examine how early socio-cultural interpretation of sex and gender roles were established and then institutionalized through the development of human communities. We look at the historical record to examine how gender diversity has existed and evolved, and how different cultures have treated gender identities. This course also looks into how scientific discoveries and practices have impacted our understanding of gender, and how our contemporary socio-cultural environment connects to those histories. Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 noon PST | January 23 - February 20, 2027 Participants will: Identify and discuss stages of gender expression and implicit and explicit biases that can encourage (or discourage) such self-expression through an intersectional lens Learn to model use of inclusive language and terminology to communicate effectively with children and adults about gender diverse identity and expression, and reduction of language-based bullying Evaluate existing processes, procedures, curriculum, lesson plans and classroom activities to expand establishment of gender diverse affirming and inclusive spaces for children Course Description: This course surveys gender identity development, providing a framework for how gender identity and expression develop over the child/adolescent lifecycle, and the ways in which that differs from biological and sexual orientation development. We will also cover the intersectional impact gender roles and societal attributions have on an individual’s sense of their own gender identity. Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 noon PST | March 20 - April 17, 2027 Participants will learn methods for: Analyzing information through an intersectional lens Describing how legalized discrimination throughout American history impacts modern understandings of diversity Identifying and building your discernment around dis- and mis-information surrounding gender diversity in the United States Creatively countering disinformation and engaging in productive conversations with your community around gender diversity Course Description: This course provides an in-depth examination of contemporary anti-trans bias and hate. It will include examination of the ways in which intersections of race, religion, ethnicity, citizenship and economic/educational disparity exponentially marginalize and oppress those who are transgender, nonbinary or otherwise gender diverse. We will build our discernment skills as we explore the intersectional histories and current news that shape the narrative around gender expansive youth. Throughout our investigation of the current socio-political environment, we will build our practice and discipline of hope and joy. Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 noon PST | May 15 - June 19 (no class Memorial Day weekend) Participants will learn how to: Review classroom, school, and organizational policy for ways in which gender stereotyping can be avoided or replaced with inclusive, affirming and intersectional lessons and information. Advocate for inclusive and affirming policy and practice, and demonstrate the value and effectiveness of inclusive policies. Counter bias-driven arguments regarding the legal rights of students and staff, and represent the legal responsibility of staff and administration Course Description: This course builds on the three previous courses in this program to support participants in moving from affirmation practices into advocacy. This course will provide a step-by-step roadmap to achieving inclusivity and compliance goals in institutions and communities that support children and youth. Implementation support emphasizing community engagement will also be provided to ensure that the unique needs of urban and rural communities are also addressed and that supportive networks can be formed and/or strengthened for ongoing success. Questions? Contact Us! General Certificate Questions: ccecerts@lclark.edu Trans Youth Advocacy Certificate Program Director: Cari Zall Center for Community Engagement is located in South Chapel Annex on the Graduate Campus. email cce@lclark.edu voice 503-768-6040 fax 503-768-6045 Director Matsya Siosal Center for Community Engagement Lewis & Clark 615 S. Palatine Hill Road Portland OR 97219 Admissions Academics Financial Aid Alumni
