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A Graduate: A Trauma Counseling certificate program is offered online and on campus in Virginia Beach by Regent University.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Trauma Counseling

On Campus, Online
12
January 8, 2024
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The Certificate of Graduate Studies in Trauma Counseling, offered online and on campus in Virginia Beach, is a professional certificate that will serve as an endorsement to licensure and for counselor continuing education for additional state credentialing requirements. It is not for initial licensure. Presented from a Christian worldview, this trauma counseling certificate may help advance your career as a mental health professional by equipping you with specialized counselor training and providing additional state credentialing requirements.

  • Understand the symptoms of and treatment strategies for post-traumatic stress disorder, compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization.
  • Examine treatments and interventions of mental health problems that originate in dysfunctional families and early childhood sexual abuse, as well as the cultural and economic underpinnings of human trafficking.
  • Explore the four phases of emergency management, the eight phases of disaster and key concepts of disaster mental health, including the application of Psychological First Aid.

Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.

Regent University ranked #24 of the top 42 Accredited Certificate programs | Intelligent.com
Expressive arts interventions play an integral role in how the mind and body heal from posttraumatic stress. This course examines treatments such as play, art, music, equine, drama therapy, yoga, and sandtray which can be used as stand-alone models or an enhancements to more traditional, evidence-based therapy methods. Cross-listed with CES 655. Prerequisites: COUN 521, COUN 526, and COUN 538.
Examine underlying principles of mental health problems that originate in dysfunctional families of origin and early childhood sexual abuse. Particular attention is given to relevant DSM disorders. Examines the cultural and economic underpinnings of human trafficking with a focus on treatment options and intervention techniques. Cross-listed with CES 757. Prerequisites: COUN 521, COUN526, and COUN 538.
Covers the four phases of emergency management, the eight phases of disaster, and key concepts of disaster mental health. In depth understanding of cultural issues related to disaster and the application of Psychological First Aid based on NIMH, Green Cross, and The Trauma Institute Standards and Ethics are demonstrated. Cross-listed with CES 758. Prerequisites: COUN 521, COUN 526, and COUN 538.
The theoretical concepts and symptoms of PTSD, compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization in clients, practitioners, first responders and in their role as trauma therapists is explored. Learn current evidence-based strategies for treatment of compassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. Cross-listed with CES 759. Prerequisites: COUN 521, COUN526, and COUN 538.
Addresses the foundations, contextual dimensions, and basic knowledge and skills to function in specialized settings of agency, community and emergency environments. Emphasis will be placed on providing intervention in clinical, disaster, crisis and traumatic situations, including emergencies in which triage, intervention, support, referral and advocacy is required. Specialized areas will include counselor self-care; wellness and preventions; suicide de-escalation, crisis incident stress management, and psychological first aid.
Examines principles of affect regulation – how humans regulate their emotions, by drawing on theories of attachment and interpersonal neurobiology. Characteristics of attachment security are explored, including how complex trauma and disrupted attachment may lead to difficulty in personality organization, compulsive behaviors, and relationship issues. Experientially-based therapeutic interventions are identified. Cross-listed with CES 751.
Experiential application of trauma theories and techniques, practice of advanced counseling skills, and a field experience related to trauma in a mental health or school setting beyond foundational training, supervised on site by a trained mental health professional. Participate in a weekly internship seminar. Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor. Pass/No Pass.

2023-24 Semester Check-In Deadlines

All students are expected to check-in for the semester two weeks before the session start date. Students should apply, be accepted, enroll in their first courses, and confirm a plan to pay for their courses prior to this date.

SessionSemester Check-InSession Start Date
Session AFriday, August 11Monday, August 21
Session CThursday, January 4Monday, January 8
Session EFriday, April 26Monday, May 6

CGS allows students who have earned or who are in the process of earning a 60 credit master’s level degree in counseling to complete additional coursework to pursue career opportunities, state licensure or specialty certification. Courses taken at Regent University while completing an M.A. in Counseling can be counted toward the CGS, but students are not eligible for federal financial aid for course work beyond the 60 credit hours required for the degree.

A student who is not currently enrolled in the School of Psychology & Counseling (SPC) who wishes to complete the CGS must apply as a nondegree student. All courses must be taken at Regent. Courses cannot be transferred in to the CGS programs. All requirements for the CGS must be completed within five years. Students who earn an M.A. in Counseling through the SPC cannot earn a CGS in the same subject as their major.

Application Process:

  1. Complete Your Online Application
    Submit your application using our Regent University Online Application.
  2. Provide Your Unofficial College Transcripts
    We require an official transcript indicating successful completion of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Regent has partnered with DocuSign to offer a secure, electronic way for your previous college transcripts to be delivered on your behalf once you have registered for your first semester.

    If you have an unofficial copy of your college transcripts, please submit those to regent.edu/items.

    If you are an international student, or you earned college credit at non-US institutions, please submit your transcripts for a third-party course-by-course evaluation. Learn more and find recommended agencies.

  3. Complete Your Admissions Questionnaire
    Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests, and provide thoughtful and thorough responses. This will give us a better opportunity to get to know you and see how your objectives align with our programs. Once completed, the questionnaire will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you to help complete the rest of your application. Access the Admissions Questionnaire.
  4. Submit Your Resume
    Submit a professional resume or curriculum vitae to include three references with contact information. References should be able to address questions related to character, as well as your interpersonal and relational skills. Please submit to regent.edu/items.

Note: Current Regent M.A. students applying for admission to a CGS program must have completed at least one semester of the M.A. program before applying.

A maximum of 12 Regent credits may be allowed toward a degree if a nondegree student later applies for regular degree-seeking status. The applicant must submit the additional material required for degree status. The admissions committee will consider the application in the same way it would a new applicant.

Certificate of Graduate StudiesTuition Cost Per Credit HourTotal CreditsTuition Cost for Certificate
Clinical Mental Health Counseling$7309$6,570
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling$73012$8,760
School Counseling$73012$8,760
Trauma Counseling$73012$8,760

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)$850
University Services Fee (Online Students)$700

Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »

*Rates are subject to change at any time.

CGS Requirements

Complete 12 credit hours.

Certificate must be completed within 5 years.

Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.

“Regent has exposed me to so much. I’ve had so many opportunities to learn and grow as both an advanced clinician and as an educator.”

Gus Tan, Ph.D., 2010 Counselor Education and Supervision

“"God ordained all the circumstances, and I simply made the step of faith to follow."”

Marina Kuzmina, M.A. in Counseling, 2010 Community Counseling

“As a Navy chaplain, I appreciated how Regent's master’s program integrated the best of science with faith and how it was designed with the flexibility I needed.”

Rob Hess, M.S. in Psychology, 2019 Chaplain, U.S. Navy

“Regent was a pivotal point in my professional career. I have been forever changed by my experience!”

Richard Mason, Ph.D. , 2007 Counselor Education & Supervision

“My time at Regent left me with a desire for excellence. I believe that was something that was already instilled in me but my education here challenged me even more.”

Eric Ferguson, M.A. in Counseling, 1997 Founder, Metanoia Missions International