AULA Announces a Post-Degree Certificate in Conflict and Non-conflict Related Trauma Studies

LOS ANGELES - July 23, 2013 - PRLog -- Antioch University Los Angeles is now offering a post-degree Certificate in Conflict and Non-conflict Related Trauma Studies (or Psychology of Trauma, for short). The certificate program grew out of AULA’s Conflict and Non-conflict Related Trauma Specialization within the master’s in Clinical Psychology program, in which students learn about the causes and treatments of trauma in the general population and as a result of conflict and war. The first session of the Certificate in Psychology of Trauma program will launch in the fall of 2013 at AULA, and will be offered in other large cities throughout the United States in the future. In recognition of AULA’s commitment to this important field of study, students taking part in the first cohort of the Trauma certificate program will receive a $1,000 grant toward tuition.

“Approximately 7.7 million Americans suffer from trauma-related disorders. Roughly 300,000 of these are veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; the rest are survivors of natural disasters, victims of crime, and others who have experienced traumatic events,” says Luis Pedraja, PhD, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “We established the Certificate in Psychology of Trauma to help meet the growing need to treat those suffering from the effects of trauma.”

The program consists of two consecutive 10-week sessions that combine online learning with three in-person weekend residencies. Four courses are offered at three credits each, for a total of 12 credits, which count toward Continuing Education Units. During the residencies, students participate in classes, seminars, and workshops. The residencies enable students to form personal and professional connections with the instructors, guest speakers, and each other. The four courses provide students with a deeper understanding of the causes, effects, and treatment of trauma and PTSD in the military and the general population, including substance/alcohol abuse and familial conflict. Students will also learn a variety of therapeutic techniques, conflict resolution skills, and issues of self-care.

The Certificate in Psychology of Trauma program was designed for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and practitioners holding an LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or related license, and non-licensed professionals who have earned a license-eligible, regionally accredited master’s degree in clinical or counseling psychology or a related field.

Other AULA certificate programs include: Certificate in Applied Community Psychology, Certificate in Urban Sustainability, Post-MFA Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing, and the recently added Certificate in LGBT-Affirmative Psychology, which launched in the spring of 2013.

Antioch University Los Angeles (AULA) provides a rigorous progressive education to prepare students for the complexities of today's diverse societies. AULA, a not-for-profit institution and part of the Antioch University (http://www.antioch.edu/) system, has served the greater Los Angeles area for 40 years. The core values of social justice, service to the community and lifelong learning lie at the heart of the BA degree completion program and master’s degree programs in Organizational Management, Education and Teacher Credentialing, Psychology, Creative Writing, and Urban Sustainability.

Inspired by the work of pioneering educator Horace Mann, Antioch University provides learner-centered education to empower students with the knowledge and skills to lead meaningful lives and to advance social, economic, and environmental justice. With campuses in Keene, New Hampshire, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Seattle, and Yellow Springs, Ohio, Antioch University is a bold and enduring source of innovation in higher education. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. www.AntiochLA.edu.