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The FSU Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies Center has been awarded the 2026 UPCEA Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award for its Pathways to Professional Advancement program. (Adobe Stock)\t\t<\/p>\n\t\tThe FSU Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies Center has been awarded the 2026 UPCEA Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award for its Pathways to Professional Advancement program. (Adobe Stock)\t\t<\/p>\n
Florida State University\u2019s\u00a0Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies\u00a0Center<\/a>, housed in the College of Social Work,\u00a0has\u00a0received a national award for excellence for its online Pathways to Professional Advancement program. The institute was awarded the 2026\u00a0UPCEA\u00a0Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).<\/p>\n Each\u00a0year,\u00a0UPCEA honors exemplary work across multiple categories in online education. The Outstanding Non-Credit Program Award specifically recognizes programs that\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0a significant contribution to the field of continuing education.<\/p>\n \u201cContinuing professional education is an important way to meet the needs of adults in the workforce,\u201d said Karen Oehme, director of the institute. \u201cWe are especially grateful to have our efforts recognized by an organization that represents so many major institutions both in Florida and nationally.\u201d<\/p>\n The Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies developed its Pathways to Professional Advancement\u00a0Program to address the growing need for trauma-informed, resilience-based\u00a0and research-backed professional development. The program is made available through\u00a0FSU Learn<\/a>, the university\u2019s platform for professional development,\u00a0education\u00a0and lifelong learning.<\/p>\n \u201cFSU helps bridge the gap between the latest research and the development of workforce professionals on our online platform FSU Learn,\u201d said\u00a0Jim Clark,\u00a0provost\u00a0and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. \u201cThis is another example of how FSU offers world-class education that extends beyond the traditional scope of a university.\u201d<\/p>\n The institute\u2019s professional certification programs are self-paced, fully online, asynchronous and designed to equip professionals across multiple disciplines with the knowledge and skills necessary to support individuals, institutions and agencies in higher education, social services, the court system and K-12 education systems.<\/p>\n More than 8,000 learners across all 50 states in the U.S.\u00a0have enrolled in the courses since 2018.\u00a0To\u00a0meet\u00a0learners\u2019\u00a0needs, this program has also contributed to the\u00a0Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies\u2019 peer-reviewed scholarly research on e-learning.<\/p>\n The institute will be honored and accept the award at the 2026 UPCEA Annual Conference, in New Orleans in April 2026.<\/p>\n