Butler University is excited to offer the opportunity for educators, counselors, social workers and mental health practitioners to acquire a certificate in Applied Educational Neuroscience with an emphasis on Adversity/Trauma and the Brain through a graduate, non-degree program.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Applied Educational Neuroscience Certificate for the 2026-2027 academic year. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2026.
The application for the 2026-2027 academic year opens on July 1, 2025.
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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 the 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 and nervous system reparation and healing because of intentional co-regulation and connection and emotional protective factors that buffer an individual’s experiences when adversity and trauma occur. Through these experiences, we quickly form a cohort learning community.
All courses are virtual through the Canvas learning management system and on Zoom. The first course includes both synchronous and asynchronous formats.
For the 2026-27 academic year, the first course begins June15, 2026. The synchronous week is June 22-26, 2026.
Summer Semester, 3 weeks:
- Week 1: asynchronous course work
- Week 2: synchronous online meetings, Monday through Friday via Zoom (Eastern Standard Time Zone)
- Week 3: asynchronous course work
In the first summer intensive course, we explore the research and begin applying the research in our schools, mental health practices and communities. The second and third courses (practicum course), meet synchronous online meetings, Monday or Tuesday via Zoom (Eastern Standard Time Zone). In the final practicum course, graduate students will design a program, template, or capstone encapsulating this certification based on personal interests, passions, and vocations.
The deadline to apply is May 1, 2026. Any applications submitted after this time will be considered for the following academic year.