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Trauma certification programs guide

Written by Amy Forman – Last updated:

This guide provides an overview of trauma certifications and how they can be applied in social work practice. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that over 70 percent of adults have experienced a traumatic event in their lifetime. Nearly a third have experienced more than four. This suggests that it is highly likely that social workers will be working with people who have experienced trauma. In order to decrease barriers to service and avoid re-traumatizing clients, developing a trauma-informed approach to social work is an essential skill. 

In this guide

SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified six key principles of trauma-informed care: safety; trustworthiness and transparency; peer support; collaboration and mutuality; empowerment, voice and choice; and cultural, historical, and gender issues. 

A trauma certification program should provide the practitioner with a deeper understanding of these principles and the tools to put them into practice. 

This guide will explore six trauma certification options. These are trauma-informed clinical certification, trauma-informed social work certification, trauma-informed social work certificates, trauma-informed practice certification non-social work specific, trauma-informed practice certificates that are non-social work specific, and trauma-informed curriculum and specializations at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

Trauma therapist certification 

Social workers who are also practicing therapists can pursue trauma-informed therapist certification. These certifications require a MSW or higher and a clinical license. (See our guide to clinical licensure for more info). 

Once this prerequisite has been met, clinicians can apply for certification from social work programs, programs in other counseling disciplines, and independent trauma training organizations.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) does not offer a certification in trauma-informed social work at the national level. However, members of the Virginia and D.C. Metro chapters of NASW are eligible for a Professional Certification in Trauma and Resilience Informed Care program offered jointly from these chapters.

Certification programs range from 12 to 96 credit hours and can take anywhere from one weekend through several months to complete. 

The topics covered typically include but are not limited to:

  • Definition, history and theory of trauma 
  • Physiological symptoms and complications of trauma 
  • Trauma across the lifespan
  • Trauma assessment and treatment modalities
  • Interventions including but not limited to (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) 
  • Types of trauma 
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Identification of and intervention with ongoing experience of violence 
  • Vicarious trauma and provider self-care 

Upon successful completion of the coursework practitioners can apply for certification. These usually require renewal after a one or two year period, and often require trauma-related continuing education. 

Trauma-informed practice certification

Again, NASW does not offer a certification in trauma-informed social work at the national level. 

However, there are certifications from independent organizations that are available to professionals in many disciplines who are likely to encounter trauma in the clients that they serve — medical professionals, educators, legal professionals, case managers, and social workers. These programs can offer a different perspective to those geared specifically towards social workers. One organization that offers several certification options is the Trauma Institute International. Additionally, the Trauma-Informed Care Training Center offers a Trauma-Informed Care Professional Certification. These are just two examples of organizations offering trauma-informed care certification.

Some of these programs will require an exam before granting certification. Many certifications will require renewal every one to two years, which often requires additional trauma-related continuing education.

These certifications include topics such as:

  • Trauma definition, history and theory
  • Types of trauma 
  • Physiological and psychological impact of trauma
  • Trauma assessment and evaluation 
  • Treatment modalities
  • Trauma-informed skills 
  • Trauma-informed community work 
  • Resilience training
  • Vicarious trauma and self care for professionals 

Trauma-informed practice certificates

At the time of this writing, there are 33 CSWE accredited schools of social work that offer certificates in trauma at either the bachelor’s or master’s level. These include:

  • Andrews University
  • Arizona State University
  • Azusa Pacific University
  • Barry University
  • Boston College
  • Boston University
  • Brigham Young University
  • California State University, Los Angeles
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Castleton University
  • Delaware State University
  • Indiana University
  • Michigan State University
  • Mississippi College
  • Northern Kentucky University
  • Pennsylvania Western University
  • Rhode Island College
  • Simmons University
  • Tulane University
  • University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Michigan
  • The University of Mississippi
  • University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • University of New England
  • University of New Hampshire
  • University of North Texas
  • University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Western Michigan University
  • Widener University
  • Yeshiva University.

There are also several schools that offer postgraduate trauma-informed social work certificates. These include but are not limited to:

  • Trauma Informed Clinical Practice Certificate at New York University
  • Post Graduate Trauma Certificate from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • Trauma-Informed Certificate programs at The University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  • Trauma Informed Care Certificate Program at Michigan State University
  • Certificate Program in the Treatment of Trauma at Boston University
  • Trauma Recovery Certificate at Widener University
  • Trauma Treatment with Children and Adolescents Certificate at The University of Maryland
  • Certificate Program in Trauma Response and Crisis Intervention at Rutgers University
  • Trauma Certificate Program at Bryn Mawr College

Finally, there are organizations that offer independent trauma-informed social work practice certificates. One example is the Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Research Foundation.

Many of these certificates are targeted at working with a particular population, such as refugees or survivors of family violence. Others are aimed at those working at a particular level of practice. There are trauma-informed practice certificates geared towards micro level case managers, mezzo level community organization workers, and macro level administrators and policy makers. 

Some programs may require an exam prior to granting the certificate. However, unlike certifications, certificates do not typically have any renewal requirements.

Certificate programs typically include topics such as:

  • Trauma definition, history and theory
  • Types of trauma 
  • Physiological and psychological impact of trauma
  • Trauma assessment and evaluation 
  • Treatment modalities
  • Trauma-informed skills 
  • Trauma-informed community work 
  • Resilience training
  • Vicarious trauma and self care for professionals 

Trauma specialization

Many social work programs offer trauma-informed social work specializations, or incorporate this perspective into their curriculum. At the time of this writing, there are fifteen CSWE-accredited social work programs offering a trauma specialization. These are:

  • Arkansas State University
  • Barry University
  • Boston University
  • Carlow University
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Marywood University
  • Pennsylvania Western University
  • Tulane University
  • University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Denver
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • University of Northern Iowa
  • Washington University in St. Louis
  • Winona State University. 

Trauma specializations often include courses in areas including but not limited to:

  • Trauma-informed theory, practice and policy 
  • Social work practice with refugees and immigrants 
  • The role of ethnicity, race, and culture in social work practice 
  • Mental health 
  • Impact of trauma on the brain 
  • Types of trauma 
  • Trauma and substance abuse 
  • Family violence 
  • Social work with veterans and their families
  • Trauma and sexual abuse
  • Trauma-informed leadership and administration 
  • Disaster social work 
  • Social work with communities impacted by trauma including natural disasters and community violence 
  • Social justice 
  • Trauma-informed care in organizations
  • Vicarious trauma and provider self-care

Career Pathways

While certification as a trauma-informed social worker is not typically a job requirement, it can certainly improve your chances of being hired. A trauma-informed certificate or certification demonstrates that you have received training in recognizing and working with trauma. This will be an asset in many social work settings. 

For example, social workers who work with immigrant and refugee populations see a large number of clients who have experienced trauma. Research has found that between 19 and 54 percent of refugee children and 14 to 19 percent of refugee adults experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Social workers at child welfare agencies will also be working with children who experience trauma. They are called in to investigate in cases of suspected child abuse or neglect. They continue to work with the children and families to achieve a positive outcome for the child. 

Medical social workers and school social workers are often the first people trauma survivors encounter when coming in for assistance. Learning how to recognize the signs and assess for trauma can help direct these clients towards the services they need.

Social workers in the substance abuse field could also benefit from trauma certification. Many people who turn to substance abuse are trauma survivors and treatment can often be unsuccessful without addressing the underlying trauma. According to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies between 25 and 75 percent of trauma survivors report problematic alcohol use. 

Forensic social workers are often dealing with a traumatized population. Many people who are involved with the legal system have been victims of traumatic events. Family court social workers, for example, may be working with abuse survivors. Juvenile justice social workers will also work with clients who come from traumatic backgrounds. Forensic social workers can even work with law enforcement personnel and help them to process the ongoing trauma inherent in their profession. 

Social workers who work with survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking can also benefit from trauma-informed care certification. Every client they see will be dealing with the aftermath of traumatic experiences. 

Community social work is another area where being trauma-informed would be a professional advantage. Often communities experience trauma from situational oppression, discrimination, and abuse. A trauma-informed social worker can identify the impact that trauma has on the community at large, help to find strategies to mitigate the impact of trauma, identify resources for those who are struggling, and work towards solutions to eliminate the traumatic situations altogether. 

Disaster relief social workers work for organizations such as the Red Cross and are often among the first responders to natural disasters such as hurricanes or after tragedies such as mass shootings. Disaster relief social workers wear many hats while helping people in the midst of processing traumatic change and loss, and can benefit from pursuing a trauma certificate or certification.

Online trauma certificate and certification options 

Most trauma certificates and certifications offer an online option. Many programs offer asynchronous learning only, where the instructors record their classes and the students can view the material on their own schedule. Other programs offer a hybrid approach including some synchronous learning options, where students attend online lectures in real time. Still others offer a mixture of online and in-person instruction. 

Upon completion of the course, students can apply for their certificate or certification. Some programs, as mentioned above, might require an exam prior to receipt of the certificate or certification. Certifications will typically require renewal every two years with continuing education requirements.