Trauma-Informed Certificate of Completion
The Trauma-Informed Education and Service Program prepares individuals to apply ongoing trauma-informed practices by developing an understanding of childhood trauma, its potentially wide-ranging lifelong effects, and strategies to help minimize or mitigate those effects. This 15-credit-hour certificate program is designed specifically for secondary educators and is completed in a cohort model.
Curriculum
Suggested course sequence
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hour(s) |
|---|---|---|
| ED300 | Introduction to Childhood Trauma and Its Effects | 3 |
| ED301 | Trauma-Informed Practices & Strategies | 3 |
| ED302* | The Trauma-Informed Classroom | 3 |
| ED303 | Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention: A Culture of Caring | 3 |
| ED304 | Special Topics in Trauma-Informed Perspectives and Practices | 1-3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 | |
Course Descriptions
ED300: Introduction to Childhood Trauma and Its Effects
In this introductory course, students build awareness of trauma, adverse childhood experiences, and the effects on brain development, relationships, and learning. Becoming trauma-aware can change how individuals interact with and respond to challenging child and adolescent behaviors. This course is beneficial for teachers, early learning professionals, parents, social workers, and anyone who works with or interacts with children, youth, or adults affected by childhood trauma.
It is strongly advised to take this course before, or at the same time as, any of the other courses offered.
ED301: Trauma-Informed Practices & Strategies
This course explores the paradigm shift required to implement a trauma-informed approach and examines the practices and strategies used when working with individuals impacted by trauma. Students gain foundational skills, learn to look beyond behavior to identify underlying stressors, and apply trauma-responsive practices to classroom scenarios, case studies, and their own classrooms to improve discipline practices, student resilience, and educational outcomes.
ED302: The Trauma-Informed Classroom
This course addresses the question, 鈥淲hat is a trauma-informed classroom?鈥� Students explore the components and criteria schools can use to create, sustain, and assess trauma-informed classrooms. The course examines the rationale, research, and five domains of a trauma-informed classroom, providing an organizing framework for developing effective learning environments that meet the needs of all students, especially those impacted by trauma.
ED301 should be taken before, or while taking, ED302.
ED303: Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention: A Culture of Caring
In this course, students study the fundamentals of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention for school personnel. Participants learn how to strengthen protective factors by creating a culture of caring, identify risk factors, recognize warning signs, and determine appropriate actions to take.
ED304: Special Topics in Trauma-Informed Perspectives and Practices
1-3 Credit Hours
This course offers an in-depth study of specialized topics and practices in the field of trauma and trauma-informed perspectives.
- Provides students with opportunities to explore current knowledge, including emerging perspectives, practices, and challenges.
- Encourages students to discuss these topics with an emphasis on practical application.
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