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

Locations: On Campus, Online

Total Credit Hours: 12

Next Session Start: January 13, 2025

Approved Degree Plan: Download PDF

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 #23 of the top 41 Accredited Certificate programs | Intelligent.com

Featured Courses

Featured Courses
Code	Name	Credits
COUN 555	Expressive Approaches in Trauma Treatment	3	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.
COUN 557	Complex Trauma, Developmental Trauma, & Human Trafficking	3	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.
COUN 558	Disaster Trauma & Psychological First Aid	3	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.
COUN 559	Treating PTSD, Compassion Fatigue & Complex Trauma	3	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.
COUN 562	Crisis, Trauma & Clinical Mental Health	3	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.
COUN 563	Theories of Attachment & Affect Regulation	3	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.
COUN 591	Internship in Trauma Counseling	3	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.

Other Concentrations

Admissions Requirements

2024-25 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.

Session	Semester Check-In	Session Start Date
Session A	Friday, August 9	Monday, August 19
Session C	Wednesday, January 8	Monday, January 13
Session E	Friday, May 2	Monday, May 12

A Certificate of Graduate Studies (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. Students currently enrolled in an M.A. in Counseling at Regent University may choose to enroll in a CGS before reaching 30 credits hours and utilize federal financial aid. Students beyond the 60 credit hours required for the degree are not eligible for federal financial aid for the CGS.

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 into the certificate 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, and they must have completed at least one semester of the M.A. program before applying.

A maximum of 12 CGS 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.

Admissions Requirements

Step 1: Apply to Regent University

Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.

Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.

Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts

Submit your unofficial transcripts to regent.edu/items.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.

Step 3: Complete an Admissions Questionnaire

Please complete a brief admissions questionnaire based on your professional goals and interests. This should only take a few minutes to complete but please answer the questions completely and thoughtfully. This gives us a better opportunity to get to know you and align your objectives with our programs. Once completed, it will be sent directly to an admissions counselor who will be in touch with you right away to help complete the rest of your application.

Step 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. The resume should also include thorough job descriptions of each position held. Please upload your document to regent.edu/items.

Step 5: Submit Your Government-Issued ID

To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.

Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.

Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.

Tuition & Fees

2024-25 Tuition Rates

Certificate of Graduate Studies	Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour	Total Credits	Tuition Cost for Certificate
Clinical Mental Health Counseling	$730	9	$6,570
Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling	$730	12	$8,760
School Counseling	$730	12	$8,760
Trauma Counseling	$730	12	$8,760

Student Fees Per Semester

University Services Fee (On-Campus Students)	$850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer)
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.

Related Programs

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“People, especially kids, need more than clichés. My training at Regent gave me a meaningful way to express my empathy - which is passion and compassion combined - and they could feel the authenticity of it.”

Cedric Rucker, M.A. in Counseling, 2008 Community Counseling

“At Regent, I loved the integration of Christian values that were wrapped tightly in a strong academic degree. I felt completely academically prepared to go out and help people, but I also had that very foundational core belief system that was strengthened unbelievably.”

Jada Jackson, B.A. in Communication 2009; MA in Human Services Counseling 2010 President & TV Host, Total Life Counseling; Advisor, Listeners On Call; Author; Licensed Mental Health Counselor

“Two degrees down, one to go! So happy to have completed my master’s in psychology!”

Ally Duggins, M.S. in Psychology, 2020 Co-Founder, Willow House Media

“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

“Great education. Top notch! Rigorous curriculum that takes on real work-life demands while incorporating sound Biblical principles.”

Audrey Bilbraut, Ph.D. in Counseling & Psychological Studies, '24