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Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification

Build the knowledge, skills, and practical strategies needed to create Trauma-Skilled™ learning environments.

The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification helps educators, counselors, administrators, and youth-serving professionals build the knowledge and practical strategies needed to create Trauma-Skilled™ learning environments. Complete the application, online modules, and Field Study to earn certification from the National Dropout Prevention Center.
Designed For

Teachers • Counselors • Social Workers • Administrators • Student Support Personnel • Youth-Serving Professionals

How Certification Works

The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification is designed as a guided professional learning experience that moves participants from understanding trauma to applying Trauma-Skilled™ practices within their own educational setting. To earn certification, participants must successfully complete the Application Form, All Three Online Modules as well as the required Field Study component. Each module is delivered as its own standalone course and builds upon the learning from the previous module.

To earn Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification, participants must complete:

Certification Enrollment & Application

This form serves as your official enrollment in the Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification program. It collects information about your professional role and organization and establishes your certification record with the National Dropout Prevention Center. Submission of the enrollment form and certification fee is required for certification.

Module 1: Understanding the Need for Trauma-Skilled™ Schools

Explore how trauma impacts learning, behavior, and engagement while examining trauma data, ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences Study) research, brain science, and Trauma-Skilled™ responses in educational settings.

Module 2:
Building a Culture of Resilience

Focus on the five resilience factors—Connection, Belonging, Achievement, Autonomy, and Fulfillment—and examine how intentional practices and school culture support resilience for students and staff.

Module 3: Trauma-Skilled™ Transformation and Instructional Practice

Apply Trauma-Skilled™ concepts through instructional practice, the Rigor-Relevance-Resilience (R3) Learning Model, implementation strategies, indicators of success, and data-informed reflection.

Required Field Study

The Field Study is the capstone component of the certification process and is required for certification completion. Participants will complete a Reflective Portfolio and Action Plan that demonstrate the application of Trauma-Skilled™ principles within their own educational setting through reflection, implementation, and evidence of practice.

Participants receive feedback from certification specialists throughout the Field Study process and may complete their work over the course of a quarter, trimester, semester, or academic year.


The complete certification pathway is available through the The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification Complete Package.

What You'll Gain

Upon completion of the certification program, participants will:
  • Build a deeper understanding of trauma and its impact on learning
  • Strengthen resilience-focused practices
  • Apply Trauma-Skilled™ strategies within their educational setting
  • Complete a field-based implementation project
  • Earn Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification
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The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification Complete Package

The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification Complete Package provides everything required to complete the National Dropout Prevention Center's Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification program. This comprehensive package includes the required certification application, all three online learning modules, and the capstone Field Study experience. Participants will progress from understanding the impact of trauma on learning and behavior, to building cultures of resilience, to implementing Trauma-Skilled™ practices through instruction and systems. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, including the Field Study, participants will earn their Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification.

Includes: Certification Enrollment & Application, Module 1, Module 2, Module 3, Required Field Study, Certification Review & Feedback, Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification

Purchasing for Yourself or Your Team?

The Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification Program may be purchased for an individual participant or for multiple staff members. To enroll additional participants, add the program to your cart and adjust the number of licenses during checkout. After purchase, licenses can be assigned directly to participants.


Note: Individual modules may be purchased separately for professional learning and CEU credit. Participants who later decide to pursue Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification may apply their completed modules toward certification requirements; however, the Certification Enrollment & Application, Field Study, and any remaining requirements must still be completed. Purchasing the complete certification bundle provides the most cost-effective pathway to certification. Induvial modules can be purchased in the course catalogue.

Need to Pay by Purchase Order?

Organizations that need to pay by purchase order, invoice, or another approved payment method may submit a Purchase Order Request using the form below. Organizations paying by credit card may purchase participant licenses directly through the certification program.

Frequently asked questions

Can I Purchase the Certification for Multiple Staff Members?

Yes. Schools, districts, nonprofits, and other organizations may purchase multiple participant licenses. Organizations paying by credit card can adjust the number of licenses during checkout and assign licenses after purchase. Organizations requiring a purchase order should submit a Purchase Order Request.

How long does it take to complete the certification?

Completion timelines vary based on each participant's schedule and the pace at which they complete the modules and Field Study. The online modules are self-paced, allowing participants to move through the content on their own timeline. The Field Study may be completed over the course of a quarter, trimester, semester, or academic year, depending on the goals of the Action Plan.

Is the certification self-paced?

Yes. Participants may complete the online modules at their own pace. Once the modules are complete, participants can begin the Field Study and implement their Action Plan according to a timeline that fits their educational setting.

How do I access my courses after enrollment?

After purchasing a course or certification bundle, sign in to your account and select Account > Courses and Programs to access your enrolled learning experiences.

Why Do I Need to Complete the Certification Enrollment & Application?

The Certification Enrollment & Application serves as your official enrollment in the Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Certification program. It allows the National Dropout Prevention Center to collect important information about your role, organization, and professional experience while establishing your certification record for tracking progress and certification completion.

The form is not used to determine eligibility or acceptance into the program. Participants are not competing for limited enrollment spots, and there is no admissions review process. Once the enrollment form and certification fee have been submitted, participants may proceed with the certification process by completing the required professional learning experiences and the Trauma-Skilled™ Specialist Field Study.

The certification fee supports application processing, certification administration, specialist review and feedback throughout the Field Study process, record maintenance, and certification issuance upon successful completion of all program requirements.

Participants paying by purchase order or check will receive instructions for submitting payment. Participants paying by credit card will receive payment instructions after submitting the enrollment form.

Questions? Please send an email to:

 ndpc@dropoutprevention.org

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