The graduate certificate program in trauma treatment is only intended for currently admitted Social Work graduate students. This program provides students with the coursework and practical experience needed to provide trauma-specific, evidence-based 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 trauma-specific learning goals.
Application Process
In order to be considered for the program, students must apply during the semester prior to their concentration year. The application includes a brief personal statement describing reasons for participating in the program, professional career goals, and a tentative schedule for the elective courses the student would like to take. Applications must be turned in no later than the semester before the first concentration semester begins. Students entering the concentration year either during the summer or fall of the following year will receive information about the program in early November. All applications must be turned in no later than February 15 of the following semester. However, entry into the program is on a first serve basis, so consider applying early if interested. Students entering their concentration year during the spring semester should contact the Chair of the Trauma Treatment Certificate Program during the fall semester preceding their concentration year.
Admission
To be admitted to this program, students must submit an application to the Chair of the Trauma Treatment Certificate Program by February 15.
Requirements
The certificate requires 12 credit hours of graduate course work: 6 elective credit hours specifically designated as trauma specific, 3 selective course credit hours with one assignment in the course on a trauma-specific topic, 3 concentration course credit hours with one assignment in the course on a trauma-specific topic, and 12 credit hours in a trauma-specific field placement (i.e., a placement in which more than half of the student’s time is spent working with traumatized clients client systems).
Trauma treatment students are required to complete the following free on-line training prior to the start of their concentration year: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) http://tfcbt.musc.edu/.
In addition, trauma treatment students will develop a field learning plan in preparation for their concentration field that focuses on trauma-specific learning. The field placement must be approved by the MSSW Field Coordinator.
1) The selective course and one concentration course must include a trauma-specific assignment approved prior to completing the assignment by the Trauma Treatment Administrator for that program. Trauma Treatment students will also work with their instructors to identify an appropriate assignment for their class.
2) Trauma treatment students must take two trauma electives (6 credit hours)
SOWK 531 (3 credit hours) and
SOWK 529 (3 credit hours) or SOWK 533 (3 credit hours) or SOWK 540 (3 credit hours)
All students must take SOWK 531 . However, students may petition the Trauma Treatment Chair to substitute another trauma-based graduate course for second trauma elective.
3) Attend 2 approved online or face-to-face seminars or webinars a semester, for a total of 3 credit hours each semester. These need to be approved by the Trauma Treatment Administrator for that program.
Students are advised to refer to the College of Social Work Student Handbook for further information.
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