CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS (15 Credits)
Required Courses (9 Credits)
Disaster Counseling and Crisis Intervention 1 and 5 ............................................3
Theory and research in disaster mental health are studied and activities of disaster counseling are practiced, including American Red Cross trainings that will allow students to be deployed to disasters. Note that this course is a Summer Hybrid involving five weeks online and one weekend at the SUNY New Paltz campus. Also delivered online, every spring semester.
Evidence-Based Assessment & Treatment of Traumatic Stress 2 .........................3
Understanding, assessing and treating traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the nature and impact of trauma, risk and protective factors, assessing post-traumatic effects, early intervention and PTSD prevention strategies, an overview of cognitive-behavioral treatments, and cross-cultural perspectives. Online, delivered every spring semester.
Assessment and Interventions with Children, Adolescents and Families 3 .................3
The social-emotional and developmental needs of children make them a special population that necessitates specialized training for individuals who will work with children and families. This course will train students to assist child survivors and their caregivers following disasters and traumatic events, especially those events that cause the sudden death of a parent or other loved one. Online, delivered every summer.
Electives (6 Credits) Select two of the following:
Assisting Veterans and First Responders 4 ..............................................3
This online course will prepare clinicians to engage and treat military personnel and first responders and their families, examining the unique cultural and clinical considerations affecting these populations and using theory and research to identify appropriate treatment modalities. Online, delivered alternate spring semesters.
Assisting Vulnerable Populations 4 ......................................................3
Understanding the needs of individuals and groups considered vulnerable prior to, during and after a disaster. Learning to assess needs, understanding the systems already in place, knowing how to access appropriate supports and structures, and an overview of factors that may assist in mitigating the effects of disasters. Online, delivered alternate spring semesters.
Grief, Loss and Bereavement 2 .........................................................3
Understanding and treating reactions to death and loss, especially due to disaster. Topics include attachment, typical and extreme reactions, models of adjustment, death rituals, and grief counseling and other evidence-informed interventions for survivors. Online, delivered every fall semester.
1 Summer hybrid - five weeks online plus one weekend on the New Paltz campus.
2 Online - every fall semester
3 Online - every summer
4 Online - alternate spring semesters
5 Online - every spring semester
For more infromation more about the Advanced Certificate in Truama and Disaster Mental Health please contact
Amy Nitza, Program Director at nitzaa@newpaltz.edu or
Alana Matuszewski, Director of Graduate Admission at gradadmissions@newpaltz.edu
CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS (15 Credits)
Required Courses (9 Credits)
Disaster Counseling and Crisis Intervention ............................................3
Theory and research in disaster mental health are studied and activities of disaster counseling are practiced, including American Red Cross trainings that will allow students to be deployed to disasters.
Evidence-Based Assessment & Treatment of Traumatic Stress .........................3
Understanding, assessing and treating traumatic stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including the nature and impact of trauma, risk and protective factors, assessing post-traumatic effects, early intervention and PTSD prevention strategies, an overview of cognitive-behavioral treatments, and cross-cultural perspectives.
Assessment and Interventions with Children, Adolescents and Families .................3
The social-emotional and developmental needs of children make them a special population that necessitates specialized training for individuals who will work with children and families. This course will train students to assist child survivors and their caregivers following disasters and traumatic events, especially those events that cause the sudden death of a parent or other loved one.
Electives (6 Credits) Select two of the following:
Assisting Veterans and First Responders ..............................................3
This online course will prepare clinicians to engage and treat military personnel and first responders and their families, examining the unique cultural and clinical considerations affecting these populations and using theory and research to identify appropriate treatment modalities. Online, delivered alternate spring semesters.
Assisting Vulnerable Populations ......................................................3
Understanding the needs of individuals and groups considered vulnerable prior to, during and after a disaster. Learning to assess needs, understanding the systems already in place, knowing how to access appropriate supports and structures, and an overview of factors that may assist in mitigating the effects of disasters. Online, delivered alternate spring semesters.
Grief, Loss and Bereavement .........................................................3
Understanding and treating reactions to death and loss, especially due to disaster. Topics include attachment, typical and extreme reactions, models of adjustment, death rituals, and grief counseling and other evidence-informed interventions for survivors.
For more infromation more about the Advanced Certificate in Truama and Disaster Mental Health please contact
Amy Nitza, Program Director at nitzaa@newpaltz.edu or
Alana Matuszewski, Manager of Graduate Recruiting and Advising at gradstudies@newpaltz.edu
