The Community and Trauma Counseling Program (CTC) was developed out of the growing empirical evidence that trauma is frequently the root cause of psychological distress and impacts the social determinants of health. The Master of Science program strives to develop competent trauma-informed, healing-centered professionals with the knowledge and skills to work as interdisciplinary clinical mental health counselors who are global advocates and agents of social transformation. Students are trained to be responsive to structural inequities, environmental challenges, and neurological changes that impact resilience and seek to enhance the professionalism and practice of trauma counseling by encouraging research, reflection, and innovation in practice.
Community & Trauma Counseling
- Department Chair
- Program Director
- Associate Professor
- Assistant Program Director
- Associate Professor
Program Contact
With a Specialized Practice Area in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Professional Counselors practice the prevention and treatment of mental, emotional, behavioral disorders and associated stresses that interfere with mental health. The Master of Science in Community and Trauma Counseling Program provides graduates with the knowledge and skills for trauma-informed practice as community mental health counselors across a breadth of settings including agency and institutional settings, professional private practice, and other environments influenced by traumatic events and extreme stress.
The MS in CTC program of studies provides a comprehensive 60-credit CACREP accredited curriculum in a traditional weekday and evening model. This delivery method is a lock-step 20-course curriculum that is designed to be completed by full-time students in two years (seven semesters including an intensive pre-fall in each year of the program and the summer session between years one and two). Either delivery method is designed for working students and can be taken on a half-time basis. Courses are delivered through a hybrid-learning format that combines on-campus classes and online instruction. Graduates from either progression will have met the coursework and practice requirements for state licensure (in Pennsylvania and many other states) and national certification in professional counseling (LPC/NCC).
In addition to the classroom and online learning components of this program, students are required to engage in two clinical fieldwork experiences. In the first year, students will complete a practicum, where they will spend a minimum of 100 hours developing skills and knowledge within a mental health or school setting. Students then progress into the advanced clinical experience, the internship, where they complete a minimum of 600 hours within their community or school placement. Program faculty and staff will help to facilitate student placements in practicum and internship.
The CTC program has changed how I live my life. It made me even more curious about the connection between the brain and the body; how they make us feel, think, and move. It showed me so many things that I may not have ever thought of or imagined myself doing.
Mission Statement, Guiding Philosophies, & Objectives
The following framework is provided in an effort to improve stakeholder understanding of the CTC program.
The framework identifies the program’s three priority areas or guiding philosophies (Community, Trauma, Counseling –the program’s 3Ps). The 3Ps will be evident through this document as they serve to organize how the program addresses the CACREP’s eight common core areas (in Section 2, Standard F) and the clinical mental health counseling specialization area (in Section 5, Standard C), and they further guide program and student evaluation. While our program has always carried the “Community and Trauma Counseling” program name, the framework below reflects an improved conceptualization of our priority areas as well as updates and improvements to our program objectives.
The CTC program was intentionally named in order to underscore its three core priorities and guiding philosophies (3Ps): (1) Community, (2) Trauma, and (3) Counseling.
The CTC program aims to:
- Prepare clinicians and scholars for ethically-grounded practice and inquiry that is...
- Informed by and responsive to the needs of diverse communities and prioritizes cultural humility and social justice. (COMMUNITY)
- Infused with trauma + resilience theory, knowledge and skills. (TRAUMA)
- Upheld by the core values and principles of the counseling profession, with special emphasis on self-reflection, growth, and wellness. (COUNSELING)
- Prepare and promote competent, trauma-informed professionals who meet the academic and practice standards necessary to achieve credentialing and membership with appropriate professional organizations. The successful evaluation of this objective is evidenced by meeting the minimum threshold determined for individual academic quality indicators as outlined in the annual program evaluation plan.
- Prepare and promote versatile professionals equipped to practice effectively with diverse clients (e.g., marginalized populations) within a variety of community, agency, and institutional settings, private practice, and government. The successful evaluation of this objective is evidenced by meeting the minimum threshold determined for individual academic quality indicators as outlined in the annual program evaluation plan.
- Prepare and promote professionals who demonstrate cultural humility and engagement as culturally competent professionals. The successful evaluation of this objective is evidenced by meeting the minimum threshold determined for individual academic quality indicators as outlined in the annual program evaluation plan.
- Prepare and promote professionals who serve as advocates for their clients, for the counseling profession, and for themselves as professionals continuously engaged in life-long learning. The successful evaluation of this objective is evidenced by meeting the minimum threshold determined for individual academic quality indicators as outlined in the annual program evaluation plan.
- Prepare and promote professionals who uphold the highest standards of ethical practice as according to the American Counseling Association’s most recent code of ethics. The successful evaluation of this objective is evidenced by meeting the minimum threshold determined for individual academic quality indicators as outlined in the annual program evaluation plan.
The program objectives are highly representative of our philosophy of developing counselors who are well-equipped to serve in the community with a balance of foundational knowledge and clinical skill.
Accreditation Information
The Community and Trauma Counseling MS program at Thomas Jefferson University is accredited for 8 years by a specialized accreditor, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Schedule Offerings
The courses in the CTC program are offered in a traditional weekday and evening format. This delivery format is a lock-step 20-course curriculum that is designed to be completed by full-time students in two years (seven consecutive semesters, including an accelerated pre-fall semester in both years and the summer session between the first and second year in the program).
Daytime & Evening Format
Classes generally meet every week, on two different weekdays on the East Falls campus. Both the daytime and evening cohorts are comprised primarily of full-time students who enroll in 3- 4 courses per semester and take classes during their respective daytime or evening time periods. Part time (3-4 year) progressions are available for those unable to accommodate a full class load. Please review the course catalog for specific details on the schedule during any given semester.
Concentrations
Child Trauma & Play – Students may select the Child Trauma & Play Therapy concentration at point of application or anytime within their first year of the MS program. This concentration is an additional six credits of coursework.
Trauma, Addictions & Recovery – Students may select the Trauma, Addictions & Recovery concentration at point of application or anytime within their first year of the MS program. This concentration is an additional six credits of coursework.
Art Therapy – Students must select the Art Therapy concentration at point of application to the MS program. This concentration requires supplemental materials and prerequisites for admission beyond the standard CTC application. This concentration is an additional nine credits of coursework.
