Trauma-Informed Practice, CAS

Contact:

Dyane Watson, Department Chair and Professor of Practice

Department of Marriage and Family Therapy

315-443-6170

dkwatson@syr.edu

Description:

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Trauma-informed Practice is structured for clinicians, mental health professionals, and practitioners from allied disciplines who intend to expand their knowledge and skills in the field of trauma response and intervention. The core courses, and elective options, address the theoretical foundations of trauma, as well as evidenced-based trauma-informed practice approaches and techniques.

Please note, completion of the Advanced Certificate in Trauma-informed Practice program alone does not qualify an individual for licensure as a social worker, marriage and family therapist, or any other profession licensed under Title VIII of the Education Law, nor does it authorize a certificate holder to engage in those scope-restricted professions.

Admission:

Completed bachelor’s degree, minimum GPA of 3.4. Prefer experience in the field of trauma or enrollment in or completion of a master’s degree in an allied field. GRE’s not required. An admissions committee consisting of members of MFT, SWK and PFN faculty will consider requests for exceptions to the admissions requirements. A completed bachelor’s degree, minimum GPA of 3.4, or enrollment in or completion of a master’s degree in an allied field is required. GRE’s are not required.

Eligibility requirement: To be awarded a C.A.S., a student must be matriculated in the certificate program for at least one semester. Matriculation may not be backdated.

Financial Support

No financial aid is offered to students in the Trauma-informed CAS program.

Requirements

The curriculum includes three 3-credit courses, to be chosen from a group of five courses (Group A), and two 3-credit courses, to be chosen from a list of courses that include trauma-informed content (Group B). Students currently enrolled in a master’s degree must take at least one of the courses in Group A outside their department.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the differences between single-event trauma and complex trauma

2. Describe the historical context of the trauma field

3. Demonstrate knowledge and emerging skills in the area of assessment of complex trauma, including the use of various assessment tools

4. Demonstrate knowledge and emerging skills in the area of trauma-informed intervention, including the ability to match interventions appropriately to the type(s) of trauma experienced

5. Demonstrate an understanding of trauma-informed intervention for diverse populations

Requirements:

The curriculum includes three required 3-credit courses (to be chosen from a group of four courses, each of which will be offered annually), and two elective 3-credit courses (to be chosen from a list of courses that include trauma-informed content).

Group A Courses (choose 3 courses from this group):

MFT 603 - Introduction to Trauma Studies 3 credit(s)
MFT 643 - Family Therapy with Complex Trauma 3 credit(s)
SWK 738 - Core Concepts in Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents 3 credit(s)
SWK 739 - Applied Neuroscience in the Human Services 3 credit(s)
SWK 740 - Treatment of Complex Trauma with Individuals 3 credit(s)

Group B Courses (choose 2 courses from this course list):

SWK 742 - Violence, Bullying, & Trauma: Clinical Perspectives 3 credit(s)
MFT 686 - Play Therapy with Children and Families 3 credit(s)
MFT 642 - Therapy with LGBTQ Couples and Families 3 credit(s)
PHP 605 - Science and Practice of Mindfulness 3 credit(s)
PHP 618 - Alcohol, Other Drugs, Sex and Gambling: Dynamics of Addiction 3 credit(s)
MFT 724 - Psychopathology 3 credit(s)
MFT 687 - Spirituality in Therapy 3 credit(s)
MFT 773 - Family Violence: Theory and Therapy 3 credit(s)
SWK 682 - Introduction to Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies 3 credit(s)
SWK 727 - Family Violence: Policy, Practice and Research 3 credit(s)
SWK 735 - Principles and Methods of Social Work Practice with Black Families 3 credit(s)

Total Credits: 15

Certificate Awarded:

Certificate of Advanced Study

Transfer Credit:

Per University Rules and Regulations, a maximum of three credits from a combination of transfer and/or external examinations/extra-institutional and experiential learning will be accepted toward a C.A.S.

Satisfactory Progress:

Per University Rules and Regulations, graduate students must earn a minimum average of 3.0 for work comprising the program for the degree or certificate and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8.