Course: Foundations of Trauma and Traumatic Stress

This course examines the foundations of trauma and traumatic stress, exploring how individuals, families, and communities experience, respond to, and recover from trauma. Learners analyze historical, theoretical, and diagnostic frameworks for understanding trauma, including the evolution of posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and trauma-informed approaches to care. Emphasis is placed on recognizing risk and resilience factors, ethical considerations in working with trauma survivors, and the importance of self-care for helping professionals. Students strengthen durable skills in empathy, critical thinking, and reflective practice while developing practical competencies in trauma assessment, resilience-building, and intervention planning. The learning experience requires approximately 45 hours and prepares learners to apply trauma-informed principles across diverse professional and community contexts. Successful completion of course assignments with an overall score of 80% or higher qualifies learners to earn the microcredential and a verified digital badge.

Course Expectations
Noncredit students are expected to complete the course requirements for the graduate-level program courses. Graduate level courses involve advanced material and higher expectations for course achievements/performance. It is expected that all students enrolled in the graduate-level program courses, including noncredit students, will meet the expectations set forth in the course requirements. Additional information and discussion about the expectations for your participation in the course as a noncredit student will be provided by the individual course instructor.  Learning content requires approximately 45 hours to complete. To successfully complete the microcredential and earn a digital badge, you must complete course assignments and receive an overall score of 80%. 

K-State eID (Important step before registering)
Prior to enrolling in the course, students are required to register for a K-State eID at https://www.k-state.edu/it/eid. During the registration process, you will be required to enter your eID. Once your registration has been processed, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for accessing your course.

 Course Details:

Schedule: 01/20/2026 - 03/13/2026, Online; Zoom sessions on Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
Cost : $250.00

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

If you must cancel your registration, please do so by 01/17/26 to receive a refund less a $25.00 cancellation fee. To cancel your registration, please send a written request to registration@k-state.edu with the program name in the subject line. Registered participants who do not cancel their registration by the refund deadline are responsible for registration fees even if they do not participate.

Kansas State University may cancel or postpone this program because of insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If the program is canceled, registration fees will be refunded. Fees will not be refunded if the program is held but the registrant is unable to participate and has not requested a refund by the cancellation deadline.