Master of Arts in Trauma-Informed Leadership

Our master’s program is built on a strong foundation of core courses:

• Trauma-Informed Basics
• Strategies for Assessing Trauma-Informed Care
• Interprofessional Trauma-Informed Care
• Creating and Sustaining Trauma-Informed Systems
• Trauma-Informed Approaches to Self-Care
• Leadership Ethics and Social Responsibility
• Trauma-Informed Leadership Seminar

Beyond the core curriculum, you’ll pursue your specific interests and professional goals by choosing electives from across the university. From strategic planning and organizational analysis to conflict resolution and global leadership, the options are varied and numerous.

Finally, you’ll build hands-on skills. For your capstone project, you’ll develop a trauma-informed policy or practice for your current or desired workplace. In the process, you’ll learn to apply theories to the real world and see the impact of your work first hand.

Dominican’s MA in trauma-informed leadership is entirely online, allowing you to complete your studies from anywhere while working full time. You can take one course at a time or more than one, giving you the flexibility to complete the degree on a schedule that works for you. 

You also have the option to pursue our Certificate in Trauma-Informed Practice by taking five of the program’s core courses. You can choose the stand-alone certificate, or apply those courses toward the full master’s if you decide to go further. All students who complete the full degree are awarded the certificate.

At Dominican, you’ll study with faculty who have deep expertise in trauma-informed practice as social workers, clinical psychologists and more. In small classes, you’ll learn from their real-world experience and work closely with classmates who share your passion for making a difference.

As the concept of trauma-informed practice gains traction throughout the social sector, this degree opens the door to increasing opportunity. You’ll gain the administrative and management skills required for leadership, while also learning to recognize and account for the trauma that people carry. A master’s degree in trauma-informed leadership will help you advance your career, whether you’re in education, healthcare administration, social services or another field. You’ll stand out to employers seeking leadership candidates not just with advanced credentials but also unique contributions they can bring.

Here are just a few of the sectors where you’ll be prepared to take on administrative roles:

• Schools and Universities
• Libraries
• Government Agencies
• Social Service Agencies
• Hospitals
• Nursing Homes
• Mental Health Programming
• Substance Abuse Programming
• Public Health
• Patient Advocacy/Community Relations
• Juvenile Justice
• Corrections
• Community Policing
• Victim Services
• Rehabilitative Programming
• Restorative Justice
• Youth Advocacy
• Community Development/Organizing
• Religious Leadership
• Family Planning (including childcare and foster care)
• Public Relations
• Human Resources
• Social Welfare Programming (e.g. housing and food insecurity agencies)

Please submit the following:

• A completed application
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Official transcript from degree-granting college/university 

As a graduate student at Dominican, you’ll find the resources to help offset your tuition and costs. Options range from scholarships and student loans to campus employment and graduate assistantships. Contact the Office of Financial Aid to learn more.