General description:
Gain practical and theoretical experience from world experts in one of the world’s hubs of crisis and trauma research. The unique stresses of modern life, combined with global changes, natural disasters and geopolitical conditions, have led to rapid growth in the field of crisis and trauma studies. There is a growing need for trained professionals with the knowledge and experience necessary to handle diverse situations. With Israel and Tel Aviv as a living laboratory for research and practice in the field, there is no better place than Tel Aviv University to gain deeper knowledge and professional competence in this field. The program provides theoretical classes and hands-on experience and allows students to enjoy the young and vibrant city of Tel Aviv. Students will learn more about organizations such as the Kuchinate-African Refugee Women’s Collective, the Tel Aviv Gay Center, and more.
About the program:
- 10 month program
- Thesis track
- Cost: $18,500
Advantages:
- Learning from the best professionals in the field of trauma
- Field experience
- The Case of Uganda
Core courses + how many electives from other faculties can be taken (which faculties?)Â *
There are 4 annual core courses, and a total of 8 semester-long core courses. There are 5 electives offered, and students must choose a minimum of 3. One elective can be taken from other international programs.
Program specific activities:
The Case of Uganda
This course focuses on the specific practices of international development and on-the-ground social entrepreneurship and allows students to gain invaluable field experience with a focus on NGOs and non-profit organizations. It includes meetings with professors from Makerere University that provide a theoretical overview of topics including: the international development processes, human capacity building, volunteering, Ugandan trauma and stressors, community development in developing countries, and organizations in the field of international development in Uganda. This will be followed by intervention method workshops (taught by local experts) and a local project in the field. The course takes places in Uganda, with prep and follow up in Israel, and is subject to additional tuition fees.
Site Visits
There are a number of site visits to a range of human service agencies throughout the program that allow students to learn about different organizations on a macro level. These agencies offer counseling, therapy, and support to people exposed to traumatic stressors. Students learn directly from professionals about the various intervention models they employ. When applicable, students also hear from the organization’s clients about their personal stories and experiences.
Some of the organizations that are visited include:Â
–Â Visits to settlements near the Gaza strip
– Shelter for battered women in the Arab population
–Â The Tel-Aviv Sourasky medical center
Experience in the Field
For two semesters of the program, students spend one day a week in an organization that provides support to individuals, groups, and communities in short term, acute and long-term crisis. During this time, students are exposed to a specific population and organization, plan and design an intervention for the population, and carry it out. Students learn about interventions at a macro level – focusing on how to plan and operate organizational programs.
The organizations for 2016-2017 (*subject to change):
–Â Kuchinate- African Refugee Women’s Collective
–Â Brit Olam- Int’l Volunteering and Development
Career prospects *
The Crisis and Trauma Program will equip its students with the knowledge and skills to act in two main capacities. The first is psychosocial crisis intervention coordinators, for which they will be taught to develop and implement intervention programs for the stricken groups and communities. The second is as first responders, for which they will learn to identify the immediate and long term needs, to carry out initial interventions, and to refer the persons to the appropriate services for further assistance.
Students are given the tools needed to build careers in organizations that develop and carry out interventions for populations affected by any type of crises or trauma – from domestic violence, immigration, to nature disasters, and more. Â Our students who graduated the program work as coordinators, case managers, and program facilitators in various organizations throughout the world, including: a non-profit organization for preventing and treating victims and the perpetrators of violence, a substance abuse treatment shelter for women and children, rape crisis centers. Other alumni choose to continue their studies, and pursue a clinical and/or empirical Ph.D. in Social Work, Psychology, or related fields.
Student Reviews:
“Through the Masters in trauma and crisis program at TAU I was able to receive an education that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and experience I need at my current position as a Case Manager for homeless in Washington, D.C.”  -Student of the program
General admission requirements (TOEFL, CV… )
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or in other fields related to Social Work (e.g., Psychology, Social Sciences)
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or 80 on a 100 scale.
- Original transcript
- A copy of Diploma
- Essay: ” Personal essay stating academic and career objectives: 300-500 words presenting the candidate’s purpose and interest in pursuing the MA program in Social Work specializing in Crisis and Trauma studies. Please also refer to the connection between the program and your academic and/or professional experience and aspirations.”
- CV
- TOEFL or IELTS exam: Â Applicants from non-English speaking countries, must prove their English-language proficiency through a TOEFL or IELTS exam. Exams must be taken before the application deadline. TOEFL test minimum requirements: Written 582, computer-based 223, or iBT 89. Â IELTS test minimum requirement: 7
- 2 recommendation letters
- $100 application fee
Contact person + title + e-mail *
Nilli Palmor, Administrative Director, nilyp@tauex.tau.ac.il, +972-3-6405562
Scholarship and funding option *
There are many opportunities and sources of funding you can seek with the help of our extensive list of scholarships on the TAU international website (we strongly encourage you to browse through): https://international.tau.ac.il/scholarship_programs
If you are a student from Australia, Brazil, Central/South America or India have a look at the new exciting scholarship opportunities TAU International has to offer.
MASA Israel also offers additional scholarship options: https://international.tau.ac.il/masa_scholarships
