Social work may be a field that is interested in people and their interactions with other people and their environment. This field may be a great choice for people that have grown to become empathetic to others that may be struggling to lead healthy lifestyles, as well as those that have an inert yearning to help people in need.
Within this widespread and popular degree field, professionals may choose paths that align with their skills and abilities, so that they can provide the best services possible to those they serve. Read more in the guide below to learn about specializations that can put you in touch with people that may be deeply in need of your care.
What is Crisis and Trauma Social Work?
Crisis and Trauma professionals all over may be able to provide a great service to people within their communities. These professionals have been trained in crisis de-escalation, emotion management, and therapeutic techniques for working with vulnerable populations.
The training required for professionals in this field may include a degree program in Social Work with specialization in Crisis and Trauma Services. If you have the desire to help others and strength in the face of adversity, you could be a powerful influence to people that have experienced trauma or those that may be dealing with crisis in their lives.
Online Crisis and Trauma Social Work Programs
Students all over the world interested in obtaining a college education may be looking for convenient methods for achieving their goal. The need for a college education may be growing as the world progresses, making it almost necessary for upcoming professionals to pursue higher education on their journey to the perfect job.
A lot of upcoming college students may also find it impossible to consider going to college full-time without having a job to supplement their income while enrolled. Online degree programs can be a great solution to this dilemma for those interested in gaining better opportunities in their career field.
Online degree programs in Crisis and Trauma can allow students to log in and engage with their courses through a helpful online course room. These courses may include elements such as interactive study materials, convenient communication tools for speaking with instructors and other students, and the added benefit of using online dropbox functions to submit homework throughout the course's duration. Each of these tasks can be completed anywhere that has an internet connection, making this option great for individuals with a busy lifestyle.
Finding an Online Social Work Program
Online degree programs in Crisis and Trauma could be a great option for you. Where do you start? The best place to begin when searching for available degree programs in this field is through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This organization's main priority is accrediting social work education programs all over the country - both online and traditional.
At Social Work Degrees.org, we have an online database of online programs, but you can also find similar information on the CSWE website. Searching this agency's website can result in finding a degree program that can meet your needs, while still guaranteeing the quality of the program overall. Our team of educational experts has pulled a few online examples and listed them below for you to review.
- University of Alaska - Fairbanks: Online Bachelors in Social Work - Online Part-Time and Full-Time Programs Available
- Boston University: Online Masters in Social Work - Online Part-Time Programs Available
- California State University: Online Masters in Social Work - Online Part-Time Programs Available
Specialized Coursework
Students that are searching for open and available degree programs may find a large number of potential programs with varying titles and course offerings. within the field of Crisis and Trauma, there may be different degree programs that can help students focus on particular areas relevant to the care of clients that have been exposed to crises, as well as those that have experienced extensive trauma. It may be vital for you to choose a program that is best suited for your experience and personality, so take a look at some of the common degree specializations within this field below.
- Crisis and Trauma Studies
- Crisis Response
- Trauma Counseling
Bachelor of Social Work: Crisis and Trauma Specialization
The first, and likely one of the most important, step towards beginning a career in social work may be the acquisition of a relevant bachelors degree. Students from all over the country may seek out undergraduate programs that can help them learn introductory skills that can help them understand and work with members of their communities. The CSWE current accredits both bachelors and masters programs, making it a great resource for reviewing current bachelors programs that can lead you to licensure and further education within the field of Crisis and Trauma in your future.
Online Bachelors programs in Social Work can assist you with learning how people react and respond to trauma within their lifestyles. Students in these programs can learn how trauma can affect the development of the human brain and emotions, which can have detrimental effects on how children move effectively into adulthood. The correlation of early childhood trauma and drug use, abuse, and poverty may be a topic that students cover within this program, which can provide meaningful information that can be used throughout a person’s career.
If you are interested in learning more about online bachelors programs that can help you meet your goals, you should take a look at some of the programs currently offered to students below. These programs are available completely online, making each of them an excellent choice for upcoming students on the track to becoming helpful Crisis and Trauma professionals. Read more about these programs in the section below.
- Brandman University: Online Bachelors in Social Work – Online Part-Time and Full-Time Programs Available
- Salisbury University: Online Bachelors in Social Work – Online and Hybrid Full-Time Programs Available
Master of Social Work: Crisis and Trauma Specialization
The Online Masters in Social Work degree may often be the level that students begin to come into their own in the field of Crisis and Trauma. Degree programs at this level can be a great way for students to focus on particular aspects of this field, as well as address some of the advanced practice methods available within their field. Most masters-level programs may require students to complete 2-3 years of studies, which is quick in comparison to the bachelors and doctoral programs available.
Below this section, you can read more about available Masters degrees in Crisis and Trauma. There may be different forms of degree programs available in the educational field, each with its own contribution to this field as a whole. The names of different programs may be slightly different than others, with a lot of the programs containing some of the same coursework with varying elective requirements. If you would like to learn more about programs available for enrollment all over the country, take a look at a few below.
- Simmons College: Online Master of Social Work – Trauma and Interperson Violence – Online Full-Time and Advanced Standing Options
- Temple University: Online Master of Social Work – Trauma – Online Part-Time Program Available
- Tulane University: Online Master of Social Work – Trauma Studies – Online Full-Time, Part-Time, and Advanced Standing Options
Typical Master’s Coursework to Expect
In a masters program, you can learn different facts and components about Crisis and Trauma that can assist you in being a better prepared professional in the field. Students that choose this route for their education may benefit from investigating different types of trauma, such as physical and emotional, as well as topics related to the development of the human brain after the experience of trauma. Child and adolescent health may also be another found component within these degree programs since a large portion of crisis careers may be geared towards youth in different settings.
As you read through some of the common courses below, consider how this knowledge could contribute to your work with people in the field. The closer you get to the end of your program, the more likely you are to take part in courses that require you to apply your knowledge and skills within the field. Students in social work degree programs may be expected to take part in a supervised experience or internship requirement as part of their degree curriculum.
- Perspectives on Trauma and Human Rights: Students enrolled in this course can have the opportunity to explore a different point of view in terms of experiencing trauma. This course allows students to conceptualize trauma from the viewpoint of the affected person, conduct research into the historical foundations of trauma, project methods for the prevention of trauma, and review some providing human rights violations for reasoning and result. This course can be helpful to upcoming professionals in the field of social work, since it can provide a broader perspective on different cultures and how they are affected by the social environment.
- Diversity and Oppression: This course can be helpful to upcoming social work professionals concerned with providing fair practice to all people. In this course, students can learn about the effects of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and disability on treatment and differences. These components may be reviewed in a social context to explore how these factors can influence how a person is treated by others, what services are available to assist them with living normal lives, and how people can have access to power and influence.
- Crisis Prevention: Beginning with an exploration into the development of crisis situations, this course can allow students to see how these critical situations can arise and escalate from start to finish. Psychological concepts may be explored as a way to visualize how the human brain reacts during a crisis, as well as how it reacts when provided with proper prevention elements from a professional. Students within this course can learn different de-escalation techniques including effective communication, giving space, and active listening. Each of these skills can be increasingly vital during an imminent crisis.
Working in Crisis and Trauma as a Social Worker
Crisis and Trauma is a degree field that can be increasingly important to society as it stands. In the face of disaster or unforseen crisis, professionals can step in to assist people with responding and learning to cope with their circumstances. In some states, Crisis and Trauma professionals may work for emergency agencies, being dispatched when individuals are experiencing mental health crises of varying proportions. These professionals can also work with therapeutic agencies responsible for working with children that have experienced abuse or neglect.
Regardless of which career field you plan to pursue, a career that can utilize your skills within this fields can be extremely beneficial to your future. People that have training relevant to what should occur during and after a crisis can be helpful in minimizing the effect of trauma on those involved. Take a look at some of the common roles and responsibilities of Crisis and Trauma professionals in the field today.
- Crisis Intervention
- De-escalation
- Performing Assessments
- Developing Trauma-Informed Treatment Plans
- Trauma First Response
- Child Interviews
Types Crisis and Trauma Social Worker Careers
When you have graduated from your degree program and received your license in social work, you may be free to pursue careers that interest you as a professional. Some people that choose to work in the field of Crisis and Trauma may be interested in working with people that are in the midst of crisis, providing direct care and support to help de-escalate situations and protect people from harm. Others may be more geared towards working with individuals that have experience trauma in their past, helping them to find methods and services available for coping and growth.
There are some popular career areas for people with either preference for their career. Crisis response agencies may provide 24/7 support to individuals and even healthcare centers for people in need. These organizations often offer hotline support, followed by the delivery of crisis teams prepared to assist people in real-time. Trauma professionals can also work with acute crises in the field, or even in follow-up services provided by mental health agencies all over the country. Take a look at some of the common careers available to graduates of this degree program.
- Crisis Manager: If you decide to work as a crisis manager, you may work in various settings under many different circumstances. These professionals can step in when a crisis occurs, including those related to public health, mental health, or the environment. These professionals may work to develop action plans, prevention plans to assist with future crisis situations, or even work with individuals in the public to ensure that they receive the right type of supportive services to minimized the effects of trauma. These individuals may work for private organizations or local government agencies.
- Trauma Counselor: Trauma counselors can be important components in the healthy growth of individuals that have experienced severe trauma. These professionals can help people discover their own personal strengths, methods for coping with the trauma they have experienced, and finding new ways to develop healthy bonds with their environment. These professionals can work for a variety of different agencies, including those interested in mental health awareness, education, and crisis management.
- Case Manager/Supervisor Children’s Services: State agencies that work with children that have experienced abuse, neglect, or disaster may require case managers and leadership professionals with Crisis and Trauma training. These individuals may be the first person that a child sees after experiencing a trauma, making their contact increasingly vital to the child’s further development. Professionals in this field can work with children to find supportive therapeutic services, act as an advocate for children in a court setting, and provide lasting services for the length of time a child is served by the state.
