Trauma Studies, Certificate

Program Code: TRST_UCT

Program Description

This 18 credit certificate will provide the core information and competencies for students interested in pursuing research and applied experiences in trauma studies. The certificate is open to all majors; students will be provided with an interdisciplinary understanding of the psychological, historical, sociocultural, political, and physiological aspects of the effects of trauma. It will also provide students a greater understanding of the unique economic, occupational, physical, medical, and interpersonal needs of those recovering from trauma. The certificate is consistent with psychology program goals to develop clear career tracks for current students interested in the applied fields of psychology.

What is Trauma Studies?

Experiencing a traumatic event such as war, urban violence, child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, accident, or natural disaster, is known to likely lead to a negative impact on psychological and physical health. Unfortunately, most people experience traumatic events during their lifetimes, making trauma studies one of the fastest growing areas in the social sciences.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You are a Psychology major interested in a counseling or psychotherapy career.
  • You are interested in research related to trauma and recovery.
  • You are interested in interdisciplinary explanations of human behavior and recovery after trauma.
  • You are in an allied health field and would like to better understand the impact of trauma on people’s lives.
  • You recognize that people recovering from trauma have unique emotional-health needs and want to help them.

Program Requirements

To earn an undergraduate certificate in Trauma Studies, a minimum of 18 credits is required.

Prescribed Courses
PSYCH 100Introductory Psychology Keystone/General Education Course3
PSYCH 442Trauma and Resiliency3
Select two of the following:6
HDFS 258
Wellness Theory Keystone/General Education Course
Action Methods for Stress Management Keystone/General Education Course
Dying and Death Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to Well-being and Positive Psychology Keystone/General Education Course
Criminology Keystone/General Education Course
Juvenile Delinquency Keystone/General Education Course
Racial and Ethnic Inequality in America
Racism and Sexism Keystone/General Education Course
Sexual and Domestic Violence
Select two of the following:6
Human Rights and World Literature Keystone/General Education Course
History of the Holocaust 1933-1945 Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to the Civil War Era, 1848 through 1877 Keystone/General Education Course
Vietnam in War and Peace Keystone/General Education Course
The United States in Civil War and Reconstruction--1850-1877
International Relations Keystone/General Education Course
PLSC 91
PLSC 123
The Politics of International Intolerance Keystone/General Education Course
Understanding Tyranny
Civil Wars
War in World Politics
The Politics of Terrorism

Certificate Learning Objectives

  • Describe behaviors and mental processes from the major social science perspectives that impact trauma exposure and the development of traumatic stress.
  • Explain the epidemiology of trauma, traumatic stress, and resiliency.
  • Identify resiliency and vulnerability factors in traumatic stress disorder development, including the effects of biological, developmental, social, historical, and cultural factors.
  • Describe the stages of recovery and the prevention and treatment options for trauma.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Erie

Melanie D. Hetzel-Riggin, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
108 Turnbull
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6949
mdh33@psu.edu

Career Paths

The certificate in Trauma Studies can be pursued by most Penn State Behrend undergraduate students. It provides core competencies to students interested in pursuing research and applied experiences in trauma studies and offers an interdisciplinary understanding of the psychological, historical, sociocultural, political, and physiological aspects of trauma and recovery. Coursework builds a greater understanding of the unique economic, occupational, physical, medical, and interpersonal needs of trauma survivors. This certificate also can help you to develop a career track in the applied fields of psychology.

Careers

Pursuing the certificate in Trauma Studies will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the psychological, historical, sociocultural, political, economic, and physiological effects of trauma. This specialization can offer you additional career opportunities within the field of psychology, counseling, education, political science, history, pre-medicine, human development and family studies, or sociology.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A CERTIFICATE IN TRAUMA STUDIES

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Clinical practice of trauma counseling requires education beyond a bachelor’s degree. Penn State Behrend offers a Master of Arts degree program in Applied Clinical Psychology that includes optional preparation for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. Penn State Behrend also offers a graduate certificate in Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy that pairs with the M.A. in Applied Clinical Psychology.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

Contact

Erie

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
170 Irvin Kochel Center
4951 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6108
HSSOffice@psu.edu

https://behrend.psu.edu/school-of-humanities-social-sciences