Trauma Informed Care Certificate

Career Outlook

The top occupations related to trauma-informed care are social workers; marriage and family therapists; substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors; and social and human services assistants. Minnesota is a hotspot for these occupations, compared to other areas this size.

• 1.5KJob postings in related fields a month in MN (national average is 829.)*
• 9.9%
  Expected job growth in this area nationally 2025–35*

*Lightcast.ai accessed February 2025

Trauma Informed Care Courses

Required Course

IBH 6321 Trauma and Crisis Intervention, 3 cr.
Students are encouraged to take this course their first term.

Elective Courses (Choose 9 credits)

• IBH 6235 Anxiety and Trauma: Assessment, Theory, and Treatment Interventions, 3 cr.
• IBH 6236 Trauma and Crisis Intervention in Refugee and Immigrant Populations, 3 cr.
• HSEX 6213 Sexual Trauma and Trauma Informed Care, 3 cr.
• IBH 6237 Clinical Skills for Trauma Informed Clinicians, 3 cr.
  Limited to licensed mental health clinical professionals or those admitted to counselor training programs. 

Faculty

Our trauma-informed care faculty are experienced professionals working in the fields of mental health counseling and sexuality and gender research and therapy.

Meet the Faculty

Apply

The Trauma Informed Care Certificate is now accepting applications for fall 2026. 

Admission Requirements

We strive to be fair in the admissions process. Our program thrives when we have students from different backgrounds and cultural experiences. The admissions committee completes a holistic review of all required application materials to ensure that you will be successful in the program. We do not require standardized test scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

We welcome applications from students who have:

• a bachelor's degree from an accredited post-secondary US institution or its international equivalent
• an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00*  

* If your GPA is lower than 3.00, please provide an explanation in the extenuating circumstances part of your professional statement.

Important Note

If you are a current CCAPS Integrated Behavioral Health or Sexual Health master's student, you could earn this certificate with minimal additional credits beyond your master’s. Connect with your academic advisor to learn more.

• MPS in Integrated Behavioral Health = 3 additional credits
• MPS in Sexual Health = 6 additional credits

If you have questions about admission requirements or materials, please email us at [email protected]. 

• View Admission Deadlines
  and Application Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is trauma-informed care?

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is a foundational framework that focuses on understanding the contributing factors of trauma and using evidence-based treatment modalities. It’s an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on a person’s life, creating opportunities for survivors to feel more empowered in their healing journey.

Why is being trained in trauma-informed care important?

Formal training in trauma-informed care can help professionals recognize trauma's impact, prevent re-traumatization, build trust and create safe environments for clients. It can lead to higher engagement, feelings of empowerment and better long-term health outcomes. A trauma-informed approach can also promote holistic care and address historical and cultural trauma, leading to more inclusive and integrated services.

Which graduate program is right for me?

CCAPS has a full suite of counseling and mental health programs. In addition to the Trauma Informed Care Certificate, we offer master’s degrees in Integrated Behavioral Health, Addictions Counseling and Sex Therapy, as well certificates in Human Sexuality, Advanced Sexual Health Education, Sex Therapy and Transgender and Gender Diverse Health. Compare all of our related degrees and certificates to find the one that works for you.

Do I need to have a counseling degree or license to take the certificate?

No, but it is valuable for aspiring and current counselors, social workers, healthcare professionals, educators and human services professionals looking to advance their field. Please note that this certificate is not a standalone credential for professional counseling licensure. 

Which LPCC requirements does the trauma certificate fulfill?

While this certificate is not a standalone credential for professional counseling licensure, it is a potential pathway for those who have completed a 48-credit master’s program and require the additional 12 graduate-level credits needed to meet Minnesota's 60-credit hour requirement for the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) license. Consult with the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) to determine your remaining coursework requirements and their alignment with this certificate.

How do most students pay for the certificate?

Certificate students are not eligible for federal financial aid but may have other options for funding. For example, certificate students are eligible to apply for CCAPS financial need-based scholarships. See CCAPS Scholarship eligibility requirements for more information. In addition, SELF loans are low-interest, long-term student loans available exclusively to students taking courses online or in person at Minnesota institutions. The University recommends FASTChoice as a tool to explore private loan possibilities. You may also look into the University’s payment plan options to spread payments throughout the semester. 

Letters of recommendation are listed as optional. Why would I choose to submit them?

Letters of recommendation are an additional way to share your story with the admission panel, but not submitting letters of recommendation will not decrease your chances of admission. If you’re concerned that some areas of your application are not particularly strong, you may want to include a letter of recommendation that supports that area of your application. For example, if you feel that your resume doesn’t show the extent of your professional experience, you might ask a supervisor of a recent volunteer position to write a letter of recommendation about the impact you’ve made in their organization.


If your grades are below the 3.0 requirement, you will need to submit an extenuating circumstances statement describing why you feel you can succeed in the program. In addition, you may want to include a letter of recommendation from someone, such as a former professor, who can speak to your writing and research abilities and potential for academic success. Read more about graduate admission to CCAPS.

Can I pursue a certificate at the same time as a master’s degree in another program?

Yes! Students at the University of Minnesota and other institutions can use the trauma informed care certificate as a supplement to their other graduate work. For example, if your home university does not offer courses in trauma, the certificate may be a good pathway for earning an additional credential remotely. University of Minnesota students in various programs may also take the courses as electives or as an alternative to a graduate minor, or earn the certificate alongside their graduate program.