Courses in the Certificate
Course One: The History, Structure, and Culture of the U.S. Military
This course provides an overview of the evolution of the U.S. military, its current structure and culture, and the systems of treatment. Emphasis will be placed on the manner in which military culture and training foster both protective and risk factors impacting the psychological health of service members and veterans.
Course Two: Assessment of Complex Trauma in Service Personnel and Veterans
This course explores the types of conflict and associated stressors commonly experienced by military personnel, and examines typical psychological and physiological responses to extreme circumstances and environments. Students will engage in evidence-based assessment of not uncommon psychiatric responses, including acute stress, depression, substance use disorder, combat-related PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.
Course Three: Interventions to Support Returning Military Personnel
This course will focus on the epidemiology, identification, prevention, and treatment of psychiatric conditions including combat-related PTSD, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, and depression. Contemporary research establishing empirical links between combat exposure and elevated risks for specific psychiatric conditions will be explored, as will evidence-based treatments, including internet-based interventions and veteran’s courts. The effects of military service on interpersonal relationships, particularly relationships with spouses and children with also be examined. An overview of the impact of the deployment cycle on attachment based upon a myriad of variables–length of marriage, number of children, age of children, prior exposure to military culture–will be explored. Evidence-informed intervention models to enhance military and veteran family functioning will be reviewed.
Certificates will be accepted for transfer credit toward select 3-unit courses in CSFS’s Master’s of Science Forensic Behavior Science or Master of Science Forensic Administration and Leadership. Up to two certificates can be transferred.
The California Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Behavioral Science, Public Safety, and Justice at the California School of Forensic Studies (CSFS) at Alliant International University is dedicated to providing law enforcement, security professionals, other first responders, and mental and allied health professionals with practical forensic education and training.
Advanced Practice Certificates are eligible for Continuing Education credit through the American Psychological Association (APA). CSFS is also an official corporate sponsor of the International Law Enforcement Education and Trainers Association (ILEETA).