Trauma occurs every day and in every person’s life. However, those with less resiliency, fewer resources, a past of adverse experience, or who are in the beginning stages of development, are more debilitated by traumatic experiences and are highly susceptible to traumatic disorders. A person that suffers from a trauma disorder carries that disorder everywhere; there is no discarding it at the door of a church, a playground, a babysitter’s, or a school. When children with traumatic disorders are in school, they are surrounded by triggers (any sensory event that may remind the person’s brain or body of a past traumatic experience) and may become reactive or dissociative in response to a trigger.

While not every student comes in contact with a mental health professional, nearly every child in America comes in contact with a teacher and educational professionals. When educators have learned to recognize signs of developmental trauma, and how to respond, more children are served, and it is more possible to provide a solid education.

This degree is offered by AU New England.

Program Overview

The Trauma Informed Education concentration is a six-course online, asynchronous concentration within the Experienced Educators program. It examines trauma in the context of the learning environment. The courses are introductory in nature thus, the approach is to understand broad issues related to trauma-informed education rather than a deep, detailed examination of this important field. The concentration program is intended for individuals who seek a basic understanding of how to best support and work with children affected by trauma.

The first two courses, Becoming a Trauma-Informed Educator (A & B), focus on recognizing the behaviors associated with childhood trauma and offer strategies for practitioners to use. The developmental effects of trauma and the ramifications of those effects on the academic setting of the child and their peers and teachers are explored in the third class. The interaction of the child within the community is the focus of the fourth class. In the fifth class, The Trauma-Sensitive Learning Environment, students focus on adapting existing school environments to maximize learning opportunities for affected children.  The concentration concludes with a course focused on Leadership and Well-being.

Degree Requirements

Length of Program:

• This 33 -credit program can be completed in 5-7 semesters.
• fully online  
• 2-3  courses per term

Required Courses:

• Introduction to Becoming a Trauma Informed Educator-A
• Introduction to Becoming a Trauma Informed Educator-B
• Physiological, Psychological and Developmental Effects of Childhood Trauma
• Connecting the Community with Those Affected by Childhood Trauma
• The Trauma Sensitive Learning Environment
• Leadership and Well-being:  Trauma Informed Supervision
• Philosophy of Education and Change
• The Developing Mind or Childhood and Nature 
• Practicum: Equity & Change
• Practicum: Child Study
• Practicum: Curriculum

For detailed curriculum, degree requirements, and course descriptions, please visit the course catalog.

Career Outlook

Upon completion of this certificate and depending on state requirements, students can perform work as a:

• PK-3 Teacher
• Trauma-Informed Supervisor

Learning Outcomes

Candidates will understand the basic principles of trauma-informed education.  Candidates will demonstrate the implementation of these principles in their own classrooms/schools.

Interact with children in intentional, constructive, and creative ways that focus on children’s capabilities, competencies, and interests. Foster a learning environment that is based on relationships, reciprocal learning, and reflection to build a more stimulating and inclusive classroom. The Reggio Emilia Approach (REA) is grounded in the belief that children are active protagonists of their own growth and development process, and learning is a process of individual and group construction. In order to accomplish this, the classroom environment must be organized to provoke and support learning.

This degree is offered by AU New England.

Program Overview

Antioch University New England is proud to offer experienced education professionals the opportunity to obtain an M.Ed. in Foundations with a concentration in the Reggio Emilia Approach. The Reggio Emilia Approach refers to the philosophy of early childhood education that originated in Reggio Emilia, Italy and was founded by Loris Malaguzzi. Many educators (e.g., Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Gardner and Bruner) inspire and inform the Reggio Emilia Approach.

This REA is grounded in several key principles (e.g., Children are active protagonists of their growth and development process; Learning is a process of individual and group construction and the environment is organized to provoke and support learning).

Antioch University provides its students with an experiential approach to learning that emphasizes understanding of both theories and sound educational practice

Degree Requirements

Length of Program:

• This 33 -credit program can be completed in 5-7 semesters.
• fully on-line and low residency options available
• 1-2  courses per term

Required Courses:

• Introduction to Reggio Emilia Approach-A
• Introduction to Reggio Emilia Approach-B
• The Learning Environment as the Third Teacher
• Making Learning Visible through Observation and Documentation
• The Atelier and Learning – Arts Integration
• Comparative Approaches to Early Childhood Education
• Philosophy of Education and Change
• The Developing Mind or Childhood and Nature 
• Practicum: Equity & Change
• Practicum: Child Study
• Practicum: Curriculum

For detailed curriculum, degree requirements, and course descriptions, please visit the course catalog.

Career Outlook

Upon completion of this certificate and depending on state requirements, students can perform work as a:

• PK-3 Teacher
• Director of Reggio Emilia inspired preschool program

Learning Outcomes

Candidates will understand the principles and values of the Reggio Emilia Approach. Candidates will demonstrate the implementation of these values in their own classrooms.

Dyslexia is the most common learning disability, affecting one in five American children. Utilize cutting-edge research in the field of dyslexia education and harness this new knowledge to empower all students in the classroom. Learn the structure of language and foundational concepts of oral and written learning to help children with dyslexia grasp a better understanding of information across a multitude of disciplines. Stand out and make a strong academic impact on the lives of those with dyslexia.

This degree is offered by AU New England.

Program Overview

A Dyslexia Studies concentration from Antioch University will help you stand out and make an impact. Our program is built upon the latest research and has met the International Dyslexia Association’s Knowledge and Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading.

Antioch’s online, 33-credit program is offered as a stand-alone certificate or a concentration in the M.Ed. for experienced educators. As one of the 25 dyslexia programs in the U.S. accredited by the International Dyslexia Association, the courses are tailored for current teachers, students working toward a teaching degree, as well as parents and advocates for children with dyslexia.

This program is offered online and is designed for:

• Teachers and administrators seeking to understand and effectively teach students with dyslexia
• Special Education professionals seeking to meet the needs of their students with dyslexia
• Family members of children and adults with dyslexia
• Advocates for children and adults with dyslexia

The program is offered throughout the year, with entry twice a year. Coursework is offered online to meet the needs of K-12 classroom educators. Educators receive the highest quality of instruction from faculty with a rich background of work in K-12 reading environments, many of whom are currently practitioners in the field.

Degree Requirements

Length of Program:

• This 33 -credit program can be completed in 5-7 semesters.
• Fully on-line and low residency options available
• 1-2  courses per term

Required Courses:

• Foundations and Psychology of Reading
• Introduction to Dyslexia
• Advanced Phonics
• Diagnosis and Assessment of Students and Dyslexia
• Structured Language Teaching I
• Structured Language Teaching II
• Philosophy of Education and Change
• The Developing Mind or Childhood and Nature 
• Practicum: Equity & Change
• Practicum: Child Study
• Practicum: Curriculum

For detailed curriculum, degree requirements, and course descriptions, please visit the course catalog.

Career Outlook

Upon completion of this certificate and depending on state requirements, students can perform work as a:

• Reading Specialist
• Tutor
• Educational Therapist
• Advocate
• Classroom Teacher

Learning Outcomes

• Understand Foundational Concepts about Oral and Written Learning
• Develop Knowledge of the Structure of Language
• Develop Knowledge of Dyslexia and Other Learning Disorders
• Interpret and Administer Assessments for Planning Instruction
• Master Structured Language Teaching Strategies