Resiliency-Based Approaches with Families, Schools and Communities

Program Overview

Our program addresses the growing need to improve workforce capacity for professionals who can successfully implement resiliency building strategies addressing the heightened incidence of trauma and adverse childhood experiences.

What You Gain

• A deep socio-ecological understanding of the impact of trauma and adversity and structural solutions inherent in equity, culturally sustaining partnerships, and resilience
• A toolbox of skills for fostering resilience through building and restoring relationships with families, schools, and communities.

All coursework is online, though some electives may be met with on campus courses.

View Coursework Requirements

Choose Your Pathway

• Trauma-responsive and Restorative Practices (TRP)
• Family-school-community partnerships and interprofessional collaboration (FSC)​

The Certificate of Graduate Studies (GCS) can stand alone as a defined certificate of graduate study or can stack into our master’s degree programs in Advanced Speciaties is Educational Practices (ASEP) Counseling, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Social Work, and Special Education, or our doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. 

To earn the CGS, student take 15 credits including 6 credits of foundational courses, 6 credits of applied courses in a specialization pathway, and a 3 credit of capstone course applying skills and learning from earlier coursework. See the Curriculum section for specific coursework. 

To be a stackable credential, students must apply and be accepted into the CGS before the last 9 credits are taken. Students then apply to an appropriate master’s or doctoral program to use the CGS credits towards that degree.

Core Faculty

Learn about our core faculty by visting their faculty profiles:

• Jessica Strolin-Goltzman
• Jennifer Jorgenson
• Shana Haines
• Bernice Garnett
• Jessica DeMink-Carthew

Funding and Scholarships

Learn more about our funding and scholarship opportunities.

Apply

Read the Admissions section/tab on this page before you apply.

Online Application

Contact Us

• Please email rgvogel@uvm.edu if you have questions.
• Complete the inquiry form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Admissions

Requirements

• Completed bachelor’s degree
• Official transcripts from each college or university where credit has been earned
• Three letters of recommendation
• A personal statement of purpose
• Test scores for English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English

How to Apply

All applications and materials must be submitted through the UVM Graduate College online application. Please carefully review the instructions before completing the application.

External Applicants: Applicants seeking to enroll in only a Certificate of Graduate Study program must complete the online UVM Graduate Application and all associated requirements. This application will need to include official transcripts from an accredited university as well as 3 letters of recommendation. A bachelor's degree is required for admittance.

Current UVM Graduate Students: Students currently enrolled in a UVM master's or doctoral program must complete the online UVM Graduate Application. Letters of recommendation and transcripts are not required, and an application fee waiver will be provided. Please contact graduate.admissions@uvm.edu for a fee waiver code, and instructions on how to waive the letters of recommendation.

When to Apply

A minimum of 9 graded credits must be taken after admission to the Certificate of Graduate Study program. All credits must be completed at UVM within a 5-year period. Graduate credits taken at other institutions may not transfer into a UVM Certificate of Graduate Study program. Up to 6 credits (but not grades) from 300-level courses taken at UVM as a non-degree student may transfer into the certificate.

Students who elect to pursue a Certificate of Graduate Study in conjunction with a master's or doctoral program must apply and be admitted to the Certificate before registering for the final 9 credits needed for the Certificate. Students pursing a master's or doctoral degree must choose a Certificate of Graduate Study in a different discipline from the graduate degree.