Traumatic stress studies Certificate Program Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program work?
This fully online program can be taken from anywhere. There are multiple components to the course:
Online Lectures and Course Materials:
Each week for seven months, approximately 2.5 hours of online lectures and course materials are released into your PESI.com account for you to complete at your own pace. Some speakers will share accompanying handouts available for download on your online portal. No additional books or research are required for purchase.
Quizzes and Evaluations:
Each module is accompanied by a multiple-choice quiz, consisting of approximately 15-20 questions, and an evaluation. Completing these is necessary to receive credit for the module and obtain a CE certificate if desired. You must score at least 80% or higher on the quiz to earn credit for the module. You can retake the quiz as many times as you need to score a passing grade. You must also complete the evaluation. Upon completing at least 80% of the modules, you will receive your Certificate of Completion in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Research Foundation and PESI.
Please note that you are still required to complete the CE quizzes and obtain your CE certificate if you wish to obtain a Certificate of Completion for the course, whether or not you are seeking CE.
Monthly Live Q&A Calls:
The course also includes live Q&A calls with faculty approximately once a month. These are 90 minutes long and typically are scheduled midday on a weekday Eastern Time. These calls are recorded for you to view if you cannot attend live. Attendance is not required to earn your certificate. Live Q&A calls do not offer CE.
Discussion Forum:
In addition, you have access to an online discussion forum on PESI.com. This is a great opportunity to network with other students in your cohort and to share insights and reflections on the course.
What are the qualifications to enroll? Are there any prerequisites?
Anyone can enroll; there are no prerequisites. The Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program is presented at the post-graduate level and is recommended and intended for clinicians, but anyone with an interest in treating trauma is invited to participate.
The course is designed to provide insight into a wide variety of therapeutic treatment modalities, examining the theory and practice of treatment. It is a fantastic option to deepen your knowledge of trauma or supplement a career in the field. However, it is not a clinical accreditation course; if you wish to provide services, you must seek licensure and accreditation elsewhere.
What is the cost?
The full price of the Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program is $999, and there is a payment plan option available. Please note, we are unable to alter the amount of each installment.
Enrollment for the August 2025 training is available for $599 until July 21, 2025, and will then be available for $799 until August 18, 2025. At this time, scholarships are not available.
Payment questions are handled through PESI. Contact PESI Customer Support with any payment-related questions:
Phone: (800) 844-8260
Email: [email protected]
How much time does this course take per week?
We have canvassed several students and people say that it requires around 5 hours/week to listen to the recorded lecture, process any learning and notes you may take during the lecture, and complete the accompanying CE quizzes and evaluations.
How long do I have to complete the coursework?
The course runs for 7 months, but you are welcome to take as much time as you need to complete it. Once registered, you will never lose access to the course.
What is the Live Q&A schedule? Am I required to attend Q&As live in order to receive my Certificate of Completion?
Below is the Live Q&A schedule for the upcoming training that will begin on August 25, 2025.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change. All enrolled participants will have access to a current schedule via their course portal on PESI.com.
- Friday, September 5, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
- Monday, October 6, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 Eastern Time with Gary Bailey, MSW, ACS
- Tuesday, November 18, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 Eastern Time with Alexandra Cook, PhD
- Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 Eastern Time with Margaret Blaustein, PhD
- Tuesday, January 13, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 Eastern Time with Alexandra Cook, PhD, and Elizabeth Warner, PsyD
- Monday, February 9, 2026 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Deborah Korn, PsyD
- Thursday, March 19, 2026 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Ruth Lanius, PhD, MD
- Monday, April 13, 2026 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Below is the Live Q&A schedule for the current training that began on February 24, 2025.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change. All enrolled participants will have access to a current schedule via their course portal on PESI.com.
- Wednesday, April 2, 2025 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm Eastern Time with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
- Monday, April 21, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Gary Bailey, MSW, ACS
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – 2 – 3:30 pm Eastern Time with Alexandra Cook, PhD
- Monday, June 9, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Margaret Blaustein, PhD
- Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 1 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Alexandra Cook, PhD, and Elizabeth Warner, PsyD
- Monday, August 11, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Deborah Korn, PsyD
- Friday, September 12, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Ruth Lanius, PhD, MD
- Tuesday, October 14, 2025 – 12:00 – 1:30 pm Eastern Time with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Below is the Live Q&A schedule for the current training that began on November 12, 2024.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change. All enrolled participants will have access to a current schedule via their course portal on PESI.com.
- Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
- Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – 1:00 to 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Gary Bailey, MSW, ACS
- Tuesday, February 18, 2025 – 2:00 to 3:30 pm Eastern Time with Alexandra Cook, PhD
- Tuesday, March 11 – 1:00 to 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Margaret Blaustein, PhD
- Monday, April 7, 2025 – 12:00 – 1:30 pm Eastern Time with Elizabeth Warner, PsyD and Alexandra Cook, PhD
- Monday, April 28, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Deborah Korn, PsyD
- Monday, June 2, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Ruth Lanius, PhD, MD
- Tuesday, July 1, 2025 – 1:00 – 2:30 pm Eastern Time with Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Is CE offered?
- Yes, CE is offered
- Obtaining CE involves taking quizzes throughout the course
- Upon completion of the course, students will also be eligible for up to 71.5 CE hours.
- Detailed information on CE can be found on PESI’s website
- For more help, contact 1-800-844-8260 or [email protected] for details open Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm central time
After completing TSS, can I enroll in the Group Supervision and Consultation Program, and can I be listed in the TRF Directory?
At this point, both the Group Supervision and Consultation Program and the TRF Professional Directory are currently on hold while the foundation evaluates how to offer them in the most thoughtful and effective way for TRF and our community. We appreciate your patience in this process and hope to have an update in the near future.
What is the enrollment cut-off date?
You can enroll in the Traumatic Stress Studies Certificate Program at any point, up to one month after each training launches.
I’ve paid, how do I access the course?
Since we partner with PESI to administer this course, you should have received an email directly from PESI with your payment receipt and directions on how to access the course portal. Please check your spam in case it went there and ensure future communications from them can be found.
You will access the course on PESI.com. You will be prompted to enter your username and password after you follow the link below. If you have forgotten your password or someone created this account for you, please click on the Forgot Password link to reset/create your password.
Additional Questions and Support
You can find commonly asked questions at www.pesi.com/faq
If you have a question not covered on this page, don’t hesitate to contact PESI by using the information below. Please allow one business day for email responses.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PESI Account Support: (800) 844-8260; [email protected]
Any other questions?
We’re here to help! If you don’t see your question answered above, please email us at [email protected]
