FSU Launches Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience
Florida State University has launched a new online curriculum for Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience. The curriculum was developed by the Clearinghouse on Trauma and Resilience within the Institute for Family Violence Studies at the FSU College of Social Work in conjunction with the FSU Center for Academic and Professional Development.
“This training addresses a gap in the knowledge base of human services professionals,” said Clearinghouse Director Karen Oehme. “Many professionals do not receive training on how to provide services to someone who is experiencing the harmful effects of trauma.”
The course enables professionals to develop the knowledge and skills they need to understand the impact of adult and child trauma, along with the keys to resilience. Participants will learn crucial information to improve service delivery to clients, students, human services recipients, patients, and other members of the public.
The self-paced curriculum includes 20 hours of course content and ten chapters of research-based readings, case scenarios, multi-media materials, assignments, and quizzes.
Faculty from across Florida State’s campus participated in the review of the new course.
Mimi Graham at the Center for Early Child Development, a leader in trauma-informed education, served as a reviewer, along with ten other faculty members.
“FSU is a leader in trauma and resilience education for the public,” Graham said. “This course ensures that crucial information is available to our community leaders so that they can make trauma-informed decisions.”
Joedrecka Brown Speights at the College of Medicine said, “It’s important for human services professionals to keep up with the new research on brain development, so they remember there is always hope for healing after trauma.”
Oehme said the multidisciplinary course is approved for continuing education credits for a diverse range of professionals including licensed counselors, social workers, nurses, dentists, and lawyers. Participants outside of Florida can submit their certification to their licensing board to determine credit awarded.
“The course is designed for professionals in a wide variety of fields because individuals in all different environments have exposure to trauma,” Oehme said. "We wanted to provide an economical, evidence-based resource to the public for those who want to enhance their professional knowledge, skills, and career potential."
The curriculum is based on developing an understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences and the associated long-term negative effects. The training offers a powerful new perspective on trauma-informed approaches to effective service delivery.
“Florida State University recognizes that professionals from all backgrounds have the ability to help individuals build resilience,” said Jim Clark, dean of the College of Social Work. “But first, they have to learn about why resilience is so crucial in treating the negative impacts of trauma.”
Clark said that FSU realized the need for such a course as it was developing the FSU Student Resilience Project.
“Our community partners have told us time and time again that they need research-informed resources,” Clark said. “It was a natural next step for the Clearinghouse on Trauma and Resilience to develop such a course.”
Chapters in the certification cover the mental and physical effects of trauma, cultural considerations in trauma research, skills for addressing trauma, and an interdisciplinary approach to building resilience.
Professionals are required to review all of the course material and pass the chapter quizzes and final exam. When professionals complete the training, they will receive their professional certification from the Center for Academic and Professional Development.
The 20-hour course is offered for $350. Discounts are provided for FSU alumni and veterans. For questions about fees and enrollment, contact The FSU Center for Academic & Professional Development at resilience@capd.fsu.edu or (850) 644-7545.