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. 

Course Expectations

This noncredit microcredential incorporates academic content and learning activities derived from graduate-level coursework. As a result, participants should expect advanced material and a level of rigor and performance consistent with graduate-level study.  Participants are expected to complete the required learning activities and assignments established for the microcredential. The course instructor will provide additional guidance regarding participation requirements and expectations.  The microcredential requires approximately 45 hours to complete. To successfully complete the microcredential and earn a digital badge, participants must complete all required assignments and achieve an overall score of 80% or higher.

 Course Details:

Schedule: 8/24/26 - 12/18/2026, Online; Zoom sessions on Mondays from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.
Registration opening soon.

Additional Information:

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Learn More About This Microcredential

Refund/Cancellation Policy:

If you must cancel your registration, please do so by 08/21/26 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.