Why get a graduate certificate in trauma informed policy and practice?
The trauma informed policy and practice graduate certificate will prepare scholars enrolled in social work and/or education graduate programs, or current professionals in the field, in research-based practices and systems change strategies to improve outcomes for children and youth with significant support needs. This includes those with emotional and behavioral challenges, developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, and sensory and other learning disabilities. Upon completion of this program, you will have an opportunity to have a significant impact on schools, communities, and the health of children and youth.
Why get your graduate certificate in trauma informed policy and practice at UNH?
You can acquire expertise in trauma informed policy and practice efficiently and affordably at UNH—the certificate may be completed in one year. In addition, this is the only advanced graduate certificate in the country addressing the need for trauma informed professionals to support school age children, youth and their families. Instruction and mentorship is provided by an experienced faculty of scholar-practitioners. This graduate certificate is funded by a 5-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education and includes a stipend for each qualifying scholar who completes the program during the grant period.
Potential careers
- Child behavioral health practitioner
- Occupational therapist
- Psychologist
- Public health professional
- School administrator
- Social worker
- Special education teacher
- Teacher
- Trauma-Informed specialist
Curriculum & Requirements
The certificate requires completion of 3 core courses and 2 electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| EDUC 998 | Special Topics (Special Topics in Trauma Informed Policy and Practice) 1 | 1-4 |
| EDUC 850 | Introduction to Disability in Inclusive Schools and Communities | 4 |
| SW 871 | Trauma-Informed Practice in School Settings | 3 |
| Electives - select two courses from the following: | ||
| SW 804 | Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges | 3 |
| SW 805 | Child and Adolescent Risks and Resiliency: Program, Policy and Practice | 3 |
| SW 813 | School Social Work | 3 |
| SW 850 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| EDUC 801 | Human Development & Learning: Cultural Perspectives | 4 |
| EDUC 803C | Classroom Management: Creating Positive Learning Environments | 4 |
| EDUC 851A | Inclusive Elementary Education: Literacies and Learning for Diverse Learners | 4 |
| EDUC 851B | Methods of Inclusive Secondary Education: Literacies, Learning, and Transitions | 4 |
| EDUC 861 | Designing Curriculum for Inclusive, Equitable Settings for Young Children (birth-8) | 4 |
| EDUC 818 | Critical Social Justice in and Beyond Education | 4 |
| EDUC 956 | Developing Positive Behavior Supports to Ensure Success for All Learners | 4 |
- 1
EDUC 998 is a year-long two-credit seminar for students in the TIPP program.
This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.
General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.
Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.
The UNH TIPP Graduate Certificate Program will prepare scholars enrolled in social work and/or education graduate programs, or current professionals in the field, in research-based practices and systems change strategies to improve outcomes for children and youth with significant support needs, including those with emotional and behavioral challenges (EBC), developmental and intellectual disabilities, autism, sensory, and other learning disabilities. The NH DOE identified school-based personnel shortages in school social workers and special educators trained in emotional and behavioral disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other learning disabilities. The TIPP Program will respond to these challenges as the only advanced graduate certificate in the country addressing the need for trauma informed professionals supporting the needs of school age children, youth, and their families.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline May 15
- Spring: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline Dec. 1
- Summer: Rolling Admissions. Final Deadline May 15
- Special: Rolling Admissions (space permitting), Applications accepted September - May
Application fee: $25
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Certificate: Yes (for more details see the accelerated certificate (masters) information page)
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
The Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice (TIPP) graduate certificate is a five-year personnel preparation grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education awarded to the UNH Department of Education in collaboration with the Department of Social Work. During the grant period, the federal grant provides a $10,000 service scholarship to each qualifying scholar who:
- Is concurrently enrolled in a UNH master’s degree program in Education or Social Work
or - Is a graduate level professional working within the education system
Priority is given to applicants from underrepresented groups and those working in high need schools. Qualifying scholars will receive the scholarship funds upon acceptance and enrollment into the program. Students receiving the service scholarship must agree to work in an education-related environment for 20 months full-time equivalent after program exit.
TIPP is a component of the new UNH Graduate Program in School Mental Health.
Students who are interested in specializing in School Social Work now can enroll in the Trauma-Informed School Social Work area of focus. See more information under Opportunities at the UNH College of Health and Human Services.
Use this handy worksheet to track your progress through the TIPP Certificate program.
