In December 2011, CIR launched its continuing education (CE) course series online, in partnership with the USC Department of Continuing Education. These online CE courses are primarily intended to educate behavioral healthcare providers about the issues facing servicemembers, veterans, and their families; however, other professionals who work with military-impacted populations will also find them useful and informative.

All courses are self-paced. Students may register and start courses at any time. A certificate of completion from the USC Department of Continuing Education is issued to all students who complete the coursework.  LCSWs and LMFTs may earn CE credit hours through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).  Please check with your accrediting organization to see if your state accepts BBS-accredited courses.

If you are interested in receiving course announcements for CIR’s upcoming online continuing education courses, please join the mailing list.

Current course offerings

Military Culture – A broad introduction for civilian professionals to military culture. This essential first course is designed to promote understanding of military culture and related life circumstances among civilian professionals who do not have substantial knowledge of military life or extensive experience engaging military-affiliated clients. Complex issues regarding the military as a culture will be examined, including warrior identity and ethos, structure and roles of the service branches, motivations for military service, patterns of socialization, diversity issues and their policy implications, and the ethical considerations and reporting obligations specific to working with servicemembers. (CEU: 6 credit hours) Click here to register! 

Clinical Practice with Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families – A broad introduction for behavioral health providers to clinical practice with military populations. This course considers the needs of active duty and reserve component servicemembers and veterans at different developmental phases of the military life course, as well as the needs of military families. The ways that these clients may cope with a range of physical health, mental health, and psychosocial issues are examined, with special attention given to stress reactions, including Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and co-occurring disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and intimate partner violence. This course also introduces key evidence-based treatment modalities (including Cognitive Processing Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Problem Solving Treatment, Stress Inoculation Training, and other cognitive behavioral therapies). Policy regarding treatment confidentiality issues will also be discussed. (CEU: 6 credit hours) Click here to register!

Motivational Interviewing with Military Populations – Rooted in the principles and skills of Motivational Interviewing, this course teaches clinicians how to instill motivation in clients through specific techniques that are designed to elicit behavior change by helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence. This course is tailored specifically for professional behavioral health clinicians working with servicemembers, veterans, and their families at different developmental phases of the military life course. Common clinical diagnoses and issues that prohibit military personnel and their families from seeking mental health treatment will be discussed. (CEU: 6 credit hours) Click here to register!

For more information, please contact Luci Ursich at luci.ursich@usc.edu.