Trauma Certificate

This certificate prepares MSW students with the knowledge and skills for work with people who have experienced the effects of trauma across a wide array of populations.

Upon faculty approval and a grade point average of B or above, students who have completed the required prerequisite courses take SW 644 Treating Trauma in the fall and an additional trauma-related elective from the following list of options: SW 626 - Biographical Timeline , SW 642 - Social Work Practice With Children and Adolescents , SW 660 - Advanced Social Work Practice With Families , or SW 663 - Social Work Practice With Addicted Persons and Their Families . Part-time students who anticipate applying for the trauma certificate are encouraged to take the trauma course during the second year of their 3 year program.

Faculty members will provide a year-long seminar to students doing their internship while in the certificate program. Students will receive instruction focused on supports, resources, and special training regarding current theory and interventions for trauma victims, along with effective strategies for dealing with vicarious traumatization. Students will keep a “portfolio” of work done, including process recordings and the ability to identify the knowledge and skills learned in each of their courses in the MSW program about helping trauma survivors on a micro and macro level that is related to their knowledge and skills for working with trauma survivors.