The graduate certificate program in trauma treatment is intended for currently admitted Social Work graduate students.
This program will provide students with the coursework and practical experience needed to provide trauma-specific interventions and trauma-informed programming and policy development.
Field Placement Requirements
In addition to course requirements, trauma treatment students are required to elect a second year field placement that has the opportunity to focus on work with and/or on behalf of populations experiencing trauma. The learning plan will include your trauma-specific learning goals.
Application Process
The application process is competitive. In order to be considered for the program, applicants must have a recommended 3.5 GPA and apply during the semester prior to their concentration year. The application includes a personal statement describing reasons for participating in the program; professional career goals; tentative selective and elective courses the student would like to take and a letter of reference from a professional in the field of social work. Applications must be turned in by the semester before the first concentration semester begins, after which the trauma treatment committee (composed of those teaching in the program) will meet to select students for the program. Students must turn in their learning program to the Chair no later than April 15.
Admission
To be admitted to this program, students must maintain a recommended 3.5 GPA and submit an application to the Chair of the Trauma Treatment Certificate Program.
Requirements
The certificate requires 12 hours of course work: 6 elective hours specifically designated as trauma specific, 3 selective hours with one assignment in the course on a trauma-specific topic, 3 concentration course hours with one assignment in the course on a trauma-specific topic, and 12 field placement hours. Other courses may, with the permission of the trauma treatment chair, be substituted for the courses listed.
Trauma treatment students are required to complete the following free on-line training prior to the start of their concentration year field work: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) http://tfcbt.musc.edu/
In addition, TT students will develop a learning plan in preparation for their concentration class and field work that focuses on trauma-specific learning.
1) The selective and concentration courses must include a trauma-specific assignment approved by the trauma treatment chair. Depending on which course is selected, the identified assignment will focus on a trauma-specific topic. TT students will work with their instructors as well to identify an appropriate assignment for their class.
2) Trauma treatment students must take two trauma electives (6 hours)
SOWK 531 (3) and/or
SOWK 540 (3) (may be repeated with a different topic, maximum 6 hours).
3) Attend two (2) seminars a semester by faculty teaching in the program for the purpose of integrating classroom knowledge with field experience.
Students are advised to refer to the College of Social Work Student Handbook for further information.
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