Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) in the College and University Setting

Requesting This Course:

Course Description:

Institutions of higher education are often confronted with critical incidents and traumatic events (student deaths, violence, natural disasters, campus scandals, etc.) that impact their communities. Further, best practice standards in the industry of higher education expect that college and universities establish plans to effectively respond to critical incidents, such as student suicide (HEMHA, 2014), as well as active shooter situations or natural disasters (US DOE et al., 2013). The CISM model provides guidelines for systems-level (e.g., strategic planning), large and small group, and individual interventions intended to mitigate the impact of the traumatic event on the well-being of community members and to facilitate referrals for further mental health counseling when warranted. The current training will provide an overview of CISM with considerations relevant to applications in college and university settings and will include an opportunity for guided practice in strategic planning through real-world examples of critical incidents that may occur on a college campus.  

This three-hour introductory course is intended for higher education administrators who are involved in the strategic response to critical incidents (President, VP of Student Affairs, Provost, Directors of Communication, Campus Safety, Student Engagement, Student Counseling, Student Health, Residential Life, etc.), as well as campus staff and/or student leaders who may pursue GRIN training to effectively provide individual and group interventions following critical incidents.

Learning Objectives:

  • Rationale for and applicability of CISM protocols, particularly as related to understanding the range of critical incidents on college campuses, the impact of trauma on learning, and institutional identity as trauma-informed systems.
  • Crisis management needs and considerations relevant to higher education settings.
  • Crisis management guidelines for systems-level, large and small group, and individual interventions in higher education settings with introduction to best practice guidelines and considerations for campus-wide communications and briefings.
  • Appropriate campus and community resources and partners as needed for ongoing care.


Certificates and Continuing Education:

General Contact Hours: 

Three-Day Course; 3 Contact Hours: 0.3 General CEUs from University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) Dept. of Emergency Health Services Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). Based on a formula of 1 Continuing Education Unit for every 10 contact/classroom hours.

ICISF Certificate of Completion:

After the completion of this ICISF course, with verified full attendance, participants are eligible to receive an electronic ICISF Certificate of Completion including General Continuing Education Units. Participants are required to complete a course evaluation prior to receiving this Certificate of Completion.

Completion of ICISF courses and receipt of an ICISF Certificate of Completion does not attest to competence in the field, nor does it provide certification in the field of CISM. 

Profession Specific CEUs:

If you are seeking continuing education requirements for a specific profession, contacting the relevant state licensing board is the best way to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information. They can provide you with specific details regarding whether a Certificate of Completion from a particular course or program will be accepted towards your continuing education requirements.

If the ICISF course you attend is offered through:

ICISF Virtual Training, Online Training, or Conference, it is approved for the following:

  • EAPA – Employee Assistance Professionals Association
    3 PDHs; Expiration Date – March 21, 2025
  • NAADAC – the Association for Addiction Professionals
    3 CE Credits; Expiration Date – February 28, 2025

This course has been approved by International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider # 87914, International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

ICISF Speakers Bureau Program: It is up to the Sponsoring Agency to apply for profession-specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they choose to do so.

ICISF Approved-Instructor led Program: While our Approved Instructors have the authority to teach specific ICISF courses, it is their responsibility to apply for profession-specific Continuing Education Units (CEUs) if they choose to do so.

** Please check with your state licensing board prior to registration to see if they will accept the Certificate of Completion as a means for continuing education.

*PLEASE NOTE: These hours are only applicable towards courses offered at Virtual Trainings, Conferences, Online Courses, and the World Congress.

Learn more on our ICISF Continuing Education Information page.