Graduate Certificate in
Working with Survivors of
Violence, Torture, and Trauma (VTT)
Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate of Professional Studies in Working with Survivors of Violence, Torture, and Trauma (VTT): Theoretical Foundations and Mental Health is designed for psychologists, counselors, family therapists, or social workers seeking to develop or enhance knowledge related to serving survivors of trauma and/or torture. The 12‐credit, four‐course, fully online program is open to students with a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or related fields from an accredited institution. Courses may also fulfill continuing education and licensure requirements.
Offered through the distinguished Counseling Psychology program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Maryland, VTT includes didactic instruction in understanding the development of traumatic stress symptoms, etiology of psychological disorders related to trauma, and diagnostic and treatment issues. Whereas VTT is intended to advance knowledge regarding interventions with trauma and torture survivors, successful completion does not replace the need for appropriate clinical supervision.
Upon successful completion, students earn a graduate certificate from the University of Maryland. In addition, students may earn Continuing Education Credits (CE credits) from the American Psychological Association (30 CE credits per course), the National Association of Social Workers (30 CE credits per course) or the National Board of Certified Counselors (30 CE credits per course). To learn more about the CE credits, click here.
Students who successfully complete the program will be able to:
- Explain the development, expression, and consequences of psychological symptoms resulting from exposure to traumatic stress
- Describe the psychological, emotional, and interpersonal needs of trauma and torture survivors
- Detail diagnostic considerations in working with survivors of simple and complex trauma
- Identify effective intervention strategies in working with survivors of trauma and torture
- Evaluate multicultural and ethical considerations in prevention, assessment, and intervention with survivors of trauma and torture
- Critique and apply current psychological research to identify appropriate and effective evidence-based treatment for survivors of trauma and torture
Academic Director
Dr. Nazish M. Salahuddin, Counseling Psychology Program, Department of Psychology, received her PhD from the University of Maryland in 2008. Dr. Salahuddin’s research, clinical, and teaching interests are largely in the areas of multicultural, gender, and social justice issues including the effects of gender and race based discrimination, aggression and violence. She is also interested in psychological trauma, with specific attention to sexual and domestic violence and child abuse. She teaches courses related to counseling psychology, counseling skills, psychology of women, and cross-cultural psychology. Dr. Salahuddin is a licensed psychologist in the State of Maryland where she maintains a part-time private practice.
If you have academic questions about the program, please contact Dr. Salahuddin via e-mail at: nsalah@umd.edu.
