Fundamentals of Military and Veteran Psychology Certificate Overview
The advanced practice certificate, fundamentals of military and veterans psychology prepares students and psychologists to deliver evidence-based mental health services for the army, navy personnel, and service members. This academic certificate program strengthens your understanding of behavior, culture, and the psychological impact of deployment on members and veterans families.
This military psychology counseling program is designed for clinical mental health counseling professionals who seek foundational knowledge and trauma counseling skills within the military population. As a professional counselor, you will work among military members and military families, and engage in veteran services. Alliant University ensures that your education meets high ethical and operational standards expected in APA-accredited military psychology programs. The course sequence emphasizes the development of specialized skills in clinical assessment, evidence-based practices, and cultural understanding.
Program Highlights
Pathway to a Master’s
The credits from this military counseling certificate coursework can be applied toward earning your master of science degree in forensic behavioral science or forensic leadership administration. This military psychology program allows you to earn recognized credits that may count toward a future master or degree in psychology or related science fields.
Offered Online
The military psychology counseling program online format lets students complete your coursework virtually. It's ideal for active duty professionals or those transitioning from the air force or army. This online program is APA-accredited and integrates the same academic rigor and professional standards found in traditional classroom training.
Evidence-Based Support
Study clinical psychology methods while exploring research in trauma and behavioral science. Each course provides insight into the field of psychology military applications, preparing you for advanced practicum or internship experiences. With emphasis on ethical practices, this certificate helps you work effectively with members and officers across various branches of service.
Admissions
The university welcomes graduates from fields of psychology, human science, and clinical backgrounds. Applicants are expected to hold a bachelor's degree or master's degree from an accredited college or university, along with relevant professional or military experience.
Learn About Admissions Requirements
Faculty
The faculty includes psychologists, clinical experts, and officer-level practitioners who bring field experience from their focused training and assignments. Their research and development work in operational environments help students acquire skills in applied science and evidence-based practices.
Get to Know Our Diverse Faculty
Degree Information
Curriculum Plan
The university’s department emphasizes mentorship and professional guidance, so you receive individualized support as you study complex topics in military psychology programs and clinical psychology.
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 military members and veterans.
Course Two: Assessment of Complex Trauma in Service Personnel and Veterans
This course provides advanced training for graduate-level students in identifying and evaluating trauma-related health conditions. You’ll gain skills to assess clinical symptoms including acute stress, depression, substance use disorder, combat-related PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and behavioral disorders common in active duty and veterans families. With an emphasis on clinical psychology, you’ll work through research case studies that highlight evidence-based practices for trauma intervention and medical treatment planning.
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 veterans’ courts. The effects of military service on interpersonal relationships, particularly relationships with spouses and children will 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What will I gain from military psychology programs?
You’ll earn advanced skills to provide trauma-informed counseling and psychology support to service members and their families. The field experience gained through practicum or internship helps you strengthen ethical practices and professional confidence in clinical and operational contexts. Graduates emerge prepared to work within academic, medical, or military departments, advancing the science of human behavior and applied psychology.
Is this course taught online or on-campus?Â
The military counseling certificate program is offered online. All classes and coursework can be completed virtually, allowing you flexibility with your schedule. This makes it accessible to active duty members, officers, and working professionals. You’ll receive the same academic training and education as on-campus learners, with the flexibility to balance work, family, and study commitments.
Are scholarships and financial aid available?
Yes, there are private and public scholarships to help you meet the cost of your education and Alliant offers institutional scholarships for many of our students. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities here. Additional financial aid is available for those who qualify in the form of loans, grants, federal work study, and military aid. Learn more in our Financial Options Guide.
How long will it take to complete this certificate?
Most students can complete the program within one year, depending on course load and scheduling needs. The flexible online program supports professional development for graduate learners and psychologists seeking continued training in clinical psychology or psychology military research.
Why Alliant
At Alliant, our mission is to prepare students for professional careers of service and leadership and to promote the discovery and application of knowledge to improve lives. We offer an education that is accredited, focused on practical knowledge and skills, connected with diverse faculty and alumni, and aimed at the student experience.
Why CSFS
CSFS is dedicated to graduating rigorously educated and trained professionals who impact society, public opinion, and policy by applying science in preventing, investigating, and mitigating conflict and violence. CSFS is a corporate partner of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), and many of our advanced practice certificates are eligible for continuing education credit.
