Graduate Certificate: Trauma Responsive Practice

Program Overview

The Trauma Responsive Practice Certificate prepares students to effectively assess, intervene, and advocate in practice settings impacted by trauma, crisis, and disaster. Grounded in a trauma-informed and DEI framework, this certificate equips students with the clinical knowledge and practical skills necessary to respond to individual, community, and systemic trauma across diverse populations and contexts.

Through coursework in crisis intervention and trauma response, disaster social work, and mental health and mental illness, students gain competencies in assessing acute and chronic trauma, responding to suicidality, violence, abuse, grief, substance use, and large-scale disasters, and supporting individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental distress. Emphasis is placed on evidence-informed interventions, diagnostic assessment using the DSM, biopsychosocial and systems perspectives, ethical decision-making, and culturally responsive practice.

The certificate highlights the disproportionate impact of trauma on vulnerable and marginalized populations, including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals with mental health and substance use challenges. Students also examine policy implications, emergency response systems, disaster preparedness, and the role of social workers in promoting safety, resilience, wellness, and mental health equity. Graduates are prepared for trauma-responsive practice in clinical, community, school, healthcare, and disaster response settings.

Admission to the Certificate Program

Admission to the certificate program is granted to individuals who apply and meet the standards for admission to a graduate program. The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of all coursework with a minimum grade of “C” and an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.  No transfer credits may be used.