Since 9/11, approximately 2.1 million troops have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND). California has one of the highest numbers of deployed, wounded, and seriously wounded service members. 30,000 service members come back to California yearly - more than the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can adequately serve. A RAND Corporation report in 2008 estimated that 300,000 vets suffer from PTSD, anxiety or major depressive symptoms. An additional 320,000 may have experienced a traumatic brain injury. Experts estimate that it usually takes about a year to re-stabilize after coming back but one's family can be deeply impacted in that time.
This new certificate program is designed to provide mental health providers, family members, educators, school counselors, VA program staff at colleges and universities, and advocates at the many organizations who serve our veterans with the information and skills they need to address the pertinent issues affecting our returning troops. Taught by experts from the VA and the National Center for PTSD, the curriculum includes the latest empirically-supported treatment methods endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Certificate requirements: A minimum of 50 hours is required. This includes three core courses, one treatment method, and at least three electives. Additional treatment methods may be taken as electives. New electives will be available in each catalog.
Core Courses
Treatment Methods
Each participant must complete the full training in one of the following treatment methods:
Courses Currently Offered
Core Course
Integrated Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT): An Effective Evidence-Based Therapy for OEF/OIF/OND Veterans and their Partners
February 11, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Elective Course
Assessment & Treatment of Mild, Moderate, and Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Issues through the Spectrum
May 11, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Treatment Method A
Implementing Prolonged Exposure Therapy
January 28, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Consultation
April 28, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Treatment Method B
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: An Overview
December 10, 2011 - Pleasant Hill campus
Implementing Cognitive Processing Therapy
February 25 and March 24, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: Consultation
May 19, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Treatment Method C
PTSD & Substance Use in Veterans: An Overview of Seeking Safety
July 21, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Implementing Seeking Safety for Veterans with PTSD & Substance Use Disorders
August 18, 2012 - Pleasant Hill campus
Discount Available! Enroll in three classes in this series at one time and receive10 percent off each class. Call 800.557.1384 to register
Certificate Series Application
The certificate program application fee is $35. Please submit a Certificate Program Application on or before registering for your second course in the series. You will have three years to complete your course work from the date of your application. You can submit your Certificate Program Application online or use the downloadable application form available under "Related Downloads" on the right side of this page.
Certificate Series Completion
After you have completed the all the courses needed to fulfill the certificate requirements, please complete and submit a Certificate Verification form, available under “Related Downloads” on the right side of this page. Please allow six weeks for your course work to be reviewed and a certificate to be issued to you.
Frequently Asked Questions are available under "Related Downloads" on the right side of this page.
John F. Kennedy University is an affiliate of the National University System.