Program Overview

Trauma-informed Practice in Education - Continuing Professional Development

Certificate - Cert

Course Fact File

• Code: CCPDTP
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: Cert
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• NFQ Award Title: Special Purpose Award
• Fees: €1,125
• Closing Date: TBC
• Next Intake: January 2026
• Venue: UCC (including online sessions)
• Start Date: January 2026

Course Outline

This programme introduces students to trauma-informed practice in education across early years, primary and secondary education contexts.

The programme focuses on both developing understanding of the theoretical principles of the approach and its application to the educator’s specific role. The programme examines the theoretical base of trauma-informed practice in an accessible and applicable way with attention to the stress response system, attachment trauma, mentalising and resiliency theories. The programme also introduces students to implementing trauma-informed practice in the educational context. Students are supported in developing a toolkit of resources to implement the approach in their specific role. The programme also explores students’ critical thinking on the current debates about the implementation of trauma-informed practice in education settings and the impact of vicarious trauma on the educator.

This programme is not a counselling or therapy training. It supports upskilling and career development by developing educators’ capacity to provide trauma-informed practice in their role.

Year 1 Module

• ED6079 Trauma-informed Practice in Education: An Introduction

Course Practicalities

This programme is scheduled to run in academic year 2025 as follows:

• UCC Delivery: The programme will be delivered in a series of weekly 2-hour lectures over 12 weeks, 6 lectures will be on campus and 6 lecturers will be delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
• Live lectures will take place for a duration of two hours on Thursday evenings (6.30pm-8.30pm).

Who Teaches this Course

All members of the lecturing team are experienced adult education lecturers, chosen for their ability to facilitate and develop positive learning environments with our adult learners. Our lecturers have extensive professional practice experience and research in the field in which they teach and hold strong academic qualifications.

Why Choose This Course

This programme offers educators the opportunity to enhance their understanding of the effects of traumatising experiences on children and young people and introduce them to the application of trauma-informed practice across educational settings.

The programme supports educators to develop understanding of the impact and effects of traumatising experiences on child and adolescent development and its implications for educational settings. It explores the implementation of trauma-informed practice, supporting educators to build a toolkit of resources to implement trauma-informed practice in their specific role. It also gives educators an opportunity to reflect on these concepts and how they impact on their professional and personal experience.

Requirements

Applicants applying for the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Certificate should hold:

• a primary degree and the Professional Master of Education (formerly the Postgraduate/Higher Diploma in Education) with a Second-Class Honours in one (OR its' equivalent)
• OR have a Second-Class Honours B.Ed. degree, (or its' equivalent)
• OR have a Second-Class Honours BSc (Education in Physical Sciences), (or its' equivalent)
• OR have a Second-Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years & Childhood Studies (or its' equivalent)

Professional teaching experience, equivalent to five full years (excluding initial teacher education), will be considered as an honours equivalent.

Furthermore, applicants must also possess a minimum of one year’s post teacher education professional teaching experience, or certified equivalent (e.g., research in schools, voluntary work with schools, working with school teams).

English Language Requirement: All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Level 6.5 or the equivalent TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score with no individual section lower than 6.0.

Fees and Costs

€1,125

For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.

How To Apply

To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:

• When you log into the Application Portal:
  • Click Apply Online
  • Select** Start a new Adult & Continuing Education Application**
  • Select: Year 2022
  • On the 2nd tab Academic Level

During your online application you will be required to upload the following documents:

• Birth Cert or Passport
• Passport Photograph
• English Language Test Report [if applicable]