Post-MS in Counseling: Trauma Certificate Online
Post-MS in Counseling: Trauma Certificate Online
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The psychological consequences of trauma can be too overwhelming for individuals to work through on their own. Trauma counselors apply evidence-based therapy techniques to nurture human resiliency and mental health wellness. If you feel called to serve others in this capacity, the Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Trauma Certificate program, offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, is designed to help prepare working professionals to specialize in this subfield.
During this postgraduate trauma certificate online program, you will work with knowledgeable educators to enhance your leadership qualities and communication skills to connect with clients and co-workers on a meaningful level. By deepening your understanding of childhood and adolescent disorders as well as their long-term effects, you will be able to explore individual and community-wide crises and address these situations.
Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of distance learning with the postgraduate trauma certificate online. Our online programs provide accessible education tailored to your schedule, allowing you to balance coursework with your professional and personal commitments. With GCU’s intuitive online platform, you can immerse yourself in a supportive learning environment from anywhere at any time. If you are looking to deepen your expertise, our online platform offers the tools and support you need within our virtual environment.
GCU has held institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Additionally, GCU is authorized by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education. These accreditations reflect the quality of the university and its academic programs, indicating recognition by peer institutions for meeting established criteria and standards.
Online: $600 per credit [More Info]
Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the total program requirements in transfer (whichever is less)
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Master's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
* Degree must be from an accredited college or program that has been approved by GCU.
** Combined verbal/quantitative, after August 2011 (1,000 combined verbal and quantitative, prior to August 2011).
This certificate program is designed for working professionals who hold a master’s degree or doctorate in counseling or a related behavioral health field. Individuals with a graduate degree in substance use counseling, social work, clinical psychology or psychiatric medicine are welcome to apply.
In this program, you will be taught:
Explore a diverse range of essential topics in trauma counseling through our comprehensive course offerings. Each course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals dealing with trauma. From theoretical foundations to practical techniques, our curriculum is crafted to assist you in the dynamics of therapeutic interventions.
You will explore essential topics, including:
Trauma assessment/treatment best practices including PTSD, acute stress & anxiety cluster disorders
Interpersonal violence factors and treatment, looking at bullying behaviors and gender perspectives
Short-/long-term childhood trauma impacts, including attachment disruption and developmental effects
Community in crisis best practices, with a look at school-based crisis effects and responses
Enhance your counseling toolkit with specialized trauma training. Join our postgraduate trauma certificate program and learn to provide care for survivors.
This post-master of science certificate program can help prepare you to apply evidence-based trauma counseling techniques when working with individuals affected by trauma. Trauma counselors may provide psychological first aid to individuals recently affected by trauma, and individuals who suffer from the long-term effects of past trauma
Aspiring mental health counselors may pursue work opportunities in a variety of settings, including the following:1
Mental health centers
Prisons, probation or parole agencies
Juvenile detention facilities
Individual and family services
Residential treatment centers
Hospitals and clinics
Private practices
Estimated job growth for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors from 2023 to 20332
Median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors as of May 20233
Here, you'll find answers to common questions about the certificate in trauma counseling program, including career information and benefit details.
A post-master's certificate program offers a focused and efficient path for advanced degree holders who want to deepen their expertise in a specific area. It provides targeted learning without the extensive time and financial commitment required by a traditional degree program. This can make it a worthwhile option for professionals looking to enhance their skills and stay competitive in their field without the need to pursue another full degree.
A trauma counselor provides guidance and support to help individuals address and recover from traumatic events. These professionals often work with clients over a long period of time. Trauma counselors create treatment plans for their clients and teach them strategies to express themselves productively and handle potential triggers that can cause further stress and anxiety. Trauma counseling aims to improve daily functioning for trauma survivors.
Students in this certificate in trauma counseling program will take an in-depth look at issues specifically associated with trauma, stress, crisis, disaster experiences, assessments and theories. Students can gain advanced competencies in the different types of interventions, trauma assessments and diagnoses. A post-master’s certificate in counseling may be beneficial for clinical counselors, substance use counselors, school counselors, clinical psychologists and social workers.
To be trauma-informed means that you recognize the reality of trauma in our world and are mindful of the personal and societal consequences of trauma. Being trauma-informed allows you to be empathetic to this reality and take action to create a world that fosters growth, resiliency and healing for all.4
1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors: Work Environment. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
2 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2024, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors, retrieved on Aug. 5, 2024.
3 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, as of May 2023, retrieved on July 23, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
4 Office of Justice Programs. (2024, July 18). Using a Trauma-Informed Approach. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
