Looking to Grow as a Resilient Leader?
Empower Your Campus with Resilient Leadership. This fully online, 8-week Professional Certificate in Resilient Leadership Practices equips higher education professionals with the knowledge and tools to better support students, colleagues, and campus communities impacted by trauma. Through six weeks of interactive online learning modules and a two-week, guided capstone project, participants will explore foundational principles, practice effective communication, and develop strategies for creating safe, inclusive, and resilient learning environments.
The program goes beyond theory to action. With guidance from faculty experts and a structured planning template, participants will complete a personalized strategic plan for implementing resilient practices at their own institution. Whether you are a faculty member, student affairs professional, or campus leader, this certificate provides practical approaches to foster belonging, reduce barriers, and advance student success.
Building Resilience Certificate Program Highlights
- Curated content on building resilience through trauma-informed practices, along with weekly learning checks, helps you develop your knowledge and skillset to create positive learning environments.
- Weekly virtual meetings with facilitators and guest participants
- Guided development of an individualized plan for empowering resilience at your organization
Modality & Benefits
Our 100% online learning opportunities are top-ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Advance your career with a certificate designed to fit your busy life.
Start Dates:
October 20, 2025
- Designed to be Completed in 8 Weeks
- 10-Hour Weekly Commitment (varies)
- Weekly Synchronous Meetings (Evening)
- Designed for Higher Ed Professionals
Building Resilience Through Trauma-Informed Practices Curriculum
The Certificate in Building Resilience through Trauma-Informed Practices includes six sequential, self-paced modules, enabling professionals to apply trauma-informed practices to their specific area of responsibility. The modules will be offered in a master class format, with automated assessments and short written submissions. Each module will include six (6) hours of high-value and relevant content, including but not limited to reasonable written and other multimedia, as well as interviews with experts.
As a final project in the 6th module, you will create a strategic plan for building resilience through trauma-informed practices at the participant’s home institution and/or area of responsibility. This capstone experience will include mentoring and guidance from the certificate facilitator, who has more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning in higher education.
Because of I-BRTIP’s interdisciplinary approach, the modules will include ways that faculty and participants can work together to model trauma-informed pedagogy within the program itself by offering choice and flexibility, prioritizing transparency in communication, providing clear instructions, respecting boundaries, and integrating each participant’s home institution into the final project.
Trauma-Informed Practices Modules
- Module 1 – Foundations: Trauma-Informed Practices in Higher Education
- Module 2 – Recognizing Trauma and Its Effects on Students and Staff
- Module 3 – Creating Safe and Supportive Learning Environments
- Module 4 – Trauma-Informed Communication and Student Support
- Module 5 – Creating a Culture of Trauma-Informed Practice and Leadership
- Module 6 – Application, Action Planning, and Sustainability
Next Steps for Your Career in Trauma-Informed Practices
Develop Your Resilience as a Higher Education Leader and Make a Broad Impact
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 5% of adults in the U.S are diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As more and more learners of all ages report mental health challenges, higher education professionals should be prepared to model resilient leadership that employs trauma-informed practice to support healthy campus environments.
Promote Resilience Across the Campus
- ADA/Disabilities
- Student Affairs
- Residence Life
- Personal/Career Counseling
- Student Success
- Academic Support
- Admissions
- Athletics
1-Year Master's in Trauma-Informed Ed. or Higher Ed. Administration
Pursue a graduate degree in a growing field and cultivate your leadership potential with this online master's degree. Learn how you can transform the culture of classrooms with Trauma-Informed Education or Higher Education Administration.
Next Steps for Your Career in Trauma-Informed Practices
- Impact
- Career Paths
- Graduate School
Student Experiences
"This institute champions building resilience through the use of trauma-informed practices and equips individuals and organizations to build resilience through their work in the world."
Dr. Kristine Barnett
Professor of Higher Education, ÐÔÊÓ½ç