The Applied Educational Neuroscience (AEN) certification program is specifically designed to meet the needs of educators, social workers, counselors, mental health practitioners, parent, and anyone who sits beside our children and youth. The certification is intended to provide graduate and post graduate students with an opportunity to become acquainted with the theoretical and empirical literature of educational neuroscience, social and affective neurosciences, adversities (individual and community) trauma and how the brain and nervous system are impacted and develop through the continuum of adversity and trauma. Trauma and adversity influence behaviors, relationships, and academic acquisition. This 9-credit hour track aligns with the Indiana Developmental Standards for educators. The program consists of three content courses, each three credits, with the final course designed as a practicum for creating a specific project, template, or professional development within this area. The first and second course must be taken before the third practicum course as graduate non-degree and degree status.
This certification specifically addresses the research, the application of the research in the areas of brain and nervous system development, adversity and how emotional social and cognitive development are disrupted by these adversities and trauma. The AEN certification will also deeply explore the resiliency and the post traumatic growth mindset of brain reparation and healing because of intentional connection and emotional protective factors that buffer an individual’s experiences when adversity and trauma occur.
The first course meets ONLINE for one week in the summer and this is usually the third or last week in June. At this time, we are offering virtual learning for the entire certification so that educators, counselors, mental health practitioners, parents and any adult may access this critical content provided through Butler University. In this first summer intensive course we explore the research and begin applying the research in our schools, mental health practices and communities. The second course meets fall semester on Monday or Tuesday evenings and the spring practicum course meets on Monday or Tuesday evenings as well. In this final practicum course, graduate students will design a program, template, or capstone encapsulating this certification based on personal interests, passions, and vocation.
Applications will begin being accepted in late fall or early winter of the 2021/ 2022 academic year for next year’s cohort. We currently have graduate students from 16 states and two countries, and we hope to continue cultivating a growing interest and enrollment for Applied Educational Neuroscience.
To be considered for graduate, non-degree-seeking admission to the Applied Educational Neuroscience Certificate, all applicants must complete the items listed below:
- An application for graduate admission sent to Admissions
- Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts from all colleges and universities where candidates:
- Earned a degree
- Earned more than 15 credits (undergraduate and graduate)
- Completed any program prerequisite (regardless of number of credit hours)
- Completed courses for which candidates are applying for transfer credit
- An undergraduate/graduate GPA of 3.0 or above
Transcripts
Copies of official transcripts may be uploaded in the online application for application review only. Applicants who receive an offer of admission will be required at that time to submit official final transcripts issued directly from the institution(s) for verification prior to enrollment. More information is available in the application for admission.