Become a trauma-informed counselor, teacher or community advocate. Get professional training in crisis intervention and trauma treatment, education and prevention with this certificate in Trauma Studies from Cambridge College.
Modality
Trauma Studies Certificate Program Overview
Understand the role of trauma specialists. Learn how to implement trauma-informed care across disciplines and utilize community resources. At Cambridge College, you’ll receive the training you need to become a compassionate, ethical and effective trauma specialist.
Healthcare Degree Search (HDS) ranked Cambridge College’s mental health counseling certificates #1 in New England for Best Quality, #2 in New England for Best Value and #25 in the U.S. for Best Value in 2021. HDS ranks programs on outcome-based factors, based on data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Based out of our Boston location, this certificate combines on-campus, zoom and fully asynchronous courses.
Trauma Studies Certificate Program Highlights
Trauma studies certificate students will gain knowledge of:
- Crisis
- Trauma
- Post-traumatic stress reactions
- Trauma-specific interventions
- Disaster mental health in multi-cultural settings
Apply your new skills in trauma assessment, counseling and treatment to effectively respond to survivors’ immediate and long-term needs. Work with war veterans, survivors of child abuse, first responders, immigrants and refugees. Support victims of crime, disasters, domestic violence, sex trafficking and torture.
“I was able to obtain a scholarship and other financial assistance which made it possible for me to attend Cambridge College.”
Advantages of Cambridge College’s Certificate Program
- Based in Boston: The city’s historic significance, diverse population and vibrant culture make it a great place to earn a graduate certificate.
- Hybrid format: Cambridge College specializes in adult students. Remote classes on Zoom are scheduled during evenings and weekends so you can learn outside of work and other life commitments.
- Experienced faculty: Our highly collaborative, interactive learning experiences are led by scholar-practitioners. Each faculty member brings extensive research and real-world experience to the coursework.
- Exceptional value: As one of the most affordable private nonprofit colleges in the United States, Cambridge College helps you save on tuition and get greater value out of your education.
Trauma Studies Certificate Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Course List
- Clinical Interventions for Combat Stress and Trauma
- Trauma Interventions in Schools
- Post Traumatic Stress Reactions
- Trauma-Specific Interventions
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Careers in Trauma Studies
Upon completion of this certificate program, students will qualify to work in crisis response teams, provide trauma-informed care in community mental health settings, addiction treatment programs and crisis centers. Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.*
18%
Projected job growth from 2022 to 2032*
$49,710
Median annual pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors*
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm (visited December 4, 2023).
Jobs in Trauma Studies
Upon graduating with a certificate in trauma studies, you could be eligible for a job in:
- Crisis intervention
- Clinical evaluation
- Counseling
- Human services
- Social work
- Patient support
Faculty Spotlight
Suzanne B. MacPhail
MEd, LMHC, EAGALA
Adjunct Professor and Senior Instructor
Suzanne MacPhail has been an Adjunct Professor at Cambridge College for 12 years and uses her practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning as a classroom for her students. The students use their experience with the equines to learn about themselves and to dig deep into unresolved issues - which promotes growth and self-awareness.