Trauma Informed Policy and Practice (Graduate Certificate)

Trauma Informed Policy and Practice (Graduate Certificate)

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Why get a graduate certificate in trauma informed policy and practice?

The trauma informed policy and practice graduate certificate will prepare scholars enrolled in social work and/or education graduate programs, or current professionals in the field, in research-based practices and systems change strategies to improve outcomes for children and youth with significant support needs. This includes those with emotional and behavioral challenges, developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and sensory and other learning disabilities. Upon completion of this program, you will have an opportunity to have a significant impact on schools, communities, and the health of children and youth.

Why get your graduate certificate in trauma informed policy and practice at UNH?

You can acquire expertise in trauma informed policy and practice efficiently and affordably at UNH—the certificate may be completed in one year. In addition, this is the only advanced graduate certificate in the country addressing the need for trauma informed professionals to support school age children, youth and their families. Instruction and mentorship is provided by an experienced faculty of scholar-practitioners. This graduate certificate is funded by a 5-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education and includes a stipend for each qualifying scholar who completes the program during the grant period.

Potential careers

  • Child behavioral health practitioner
  • Occupational therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Public health professional
  • School administrator
  • Social worker
  • Special education teacher
  • Teacher
  • Trauma-Informed specialist

Contact

Mary Schuh

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Phone: (603) 228-2084
Office: Institute on Disability, 10 West Edge Drive, Durham, NH 03824

Department of Education
Morrill Hall
University of New Hampshire
62 College Road
Durham, NH 03824

Phone: (603) 862-2310
Fax: (603) 862-2174

 

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Application Requirements & Deadlines

Curriculum & Requirements

The UNH Trauma Informed Policy and Practice (TIPP) Graduate Certificate Program will prepare scholars enrolled in social work and/or education graduate programs, or current professionals in the field, in research-based practices and systems change strategies to improve outcomes for children and youth with significant support needs, including those with emotional and behavioral challenges (EBC), developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, sensory, and other learning disabilities. The NH DOE identified school-based personnel shortages in school social workers and special educators trained in emotional and behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other learning disabilities. The TIPP Program will respond to these challenges as the only advanced graduate certificate in the country addressing the need for trauma informed professionals supporting the needs of school age children, youth, and their families. A $16,000 service scholarship is available for scholars who are currently enrolled in a graduate program in Special Education, Early Childhood Special Needs, Elementary with dual certification in Special Education or Social Work at UNH.

The certificate requires completion of 2 core courses, a year long two-credit seminar, and 2 electives. 

Required courses

EDUC 998Special Topics (Special Topics in Trauma Informed Policy and Practice) 11-4
EDUC 850Introduction to Exceptionality4
SW 897Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Core Concepts in Trauma Informed Welfare Practice)3
Scholars will also choose two additional courses from existing electives, including:
SW 805Child and Adolescent Risks and Resiliency: Program, Policy and Practice3
SW 813School Social Work3
SW 850Human Behavior and the Social Environment I3
SW 897Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges)3
EDUC 801Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives4
EDUC 803CClassroom Management: Creating Positive Learning Environments4
EDUC 851AEducating Exceptional Learners: Elementary4
EDUC 851BEducating Exceptional Learners: Secondary4
EDUC 861Inclusive Curriculum for Young Children with Special Needs4
EDUC 956Learning to Listen: Developing Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Challenging Behaviors4

The UNH TIPP Graduate Certificate Program will prepare scholars enrolled in social work and/or education graduate programs, or current professionals in the field, in research-based practices and systems change strategies to improve outcomes for children and youth with significant support needs, including those with emotional and behavioral challenges (EBC), developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, sensory, and other learning disabilities. The NH DOE identified school-based personnel shortages in school social workers and special educators trained in emotional and behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other learning disabilities. The TIPP Program will respond to these challenges as the only advanced graduate certificate in the country addressing the need for trauma informed professionals supporting the needs of school age children, youth, and their families.

Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

  • Fall: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline May 15
  • Spring: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline Dec. 1
  • Summer: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline May 15
  • Special: Rolling Admissions (space permitting), Applications accepted September - May

Application fee: $25

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

  • Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
  • Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

  1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
  2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.

International Applicants

The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

There will be two required courses and a two-credit year-long seminar:

1) EDUC 750/850 Introduction to Exceptionality: Exploring Equity-based Inclusive Education for All Students
2) SW 897 Core Concepts in Trauma Informed Welfare Practice
3) EDUC 998 - Special Topics in Trauma Informed Policy and Practice. This is a year-long two-credit seminar for students in the TIPP program. Students will learn about cutting-edge research and practice focused on trauma and its impact on child and adolescent development, with a particular focus on equity in the context of educational settings.Instructors will use reflective practice, case study, and research activities to enhance cross- disciplinary learning. The seminar will include instruction on school behavioral health frameworks, mindfulness practices for children, youth and staff, cognitive behavioral therapy practices in schools, evidence-based screening and assessments, small group interventions, collaboration with community treatment providers, social justice and cultural and linguistic competency, equity-based inclusive education, and universal design for learning. The seminar will be taught by Drs. Schuh and Malloy and will also include guest speakers, student-initiated case studies, and problem-solving.

Scholars will also choose two additional courses from existing electives, including:

1) SW 897 Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges
2) EDUC 956 Developing Positive Behavior Supports to Ensure Success for All Children: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for Behavioral Health and Wellness
3) EDUC 761/861 Inclusive Curriculum for Young Children with Special Needs
4) EDUC 801 Human Development and Learning
5) EDUC 703/803 Classroom Management: Creating Positive Learning Environments
6) EDUC 751/851 Educating Exceptional Learners: Elementary

Courses Offered Spring and Fall 2020

The Trauma Informed Policy and Practice graduate certificate is a five-year personnel preparation grant from the U.S. Department of Education awarded to the Institute on Disability (IOD), in collaboration with the Departments of Social Work and Education at UNH.  During the grant period, the federal grant provides a $16,000 stipend to each qualifying scholar who completes the program.

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