The Joint TIC/SAC program integrates two existing specialization areas of the MSW program at UWM. Trauma-Informed Care and Substance Abuse Counseling are interrelated and applicable to students interested in working in behavioral health settings.

Trauma Informed Care

The certificate in Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an inter-disciplinary graduate certificate for students in helping professions (social work, counseling, psychology, etc.), which trains them in the principles and strategies of trauma-informed practice. When a student completes the Trauma-Informed Care graduate certificate, it will be listed as an earned academic credential on their transcript from UWM.

Social work students complete 15 credits in coursework and possibly fieldwork in trauma informed care.

Substance Abuse Counseling

The Substance Abuse Counseling (SAC) curriculum is embedded within the MSW requirements at UWM. Students pursuing the SAC curriculum enroll in the MSW Program’s Behavioral Health Concentration and take specific electives. Upon completion of the curriculum, students meet the State of Wisconsin’s educational requirements towards certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor-In Training, or Substance Abuse Counselor.

The SAC credential itself is provided by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), following verification of the coursework and applicable exam(s).

Other Information

Students are encouraged to identify their intent to complete both the TIC and/or the SAC curriculum as early as possible in their course planning.

When students are meeting the SAC/TIC specialization requirements at the same time as earning their MSW degree, the SAC/TIC requirements will generally add 8 credits to a student’s overall MSW course plan.