Location: Online, Self-paced

Course Description
School counselors recognize the need for all students to attend school in a safe, orderly and caring environment. To promote this type of environment, comprehensive school counseling programs should include anti-bullying/harassment and violence-prevention programs along with comprehensive conflict-resolution programs to foster a positive school climate. Prevention programs increase the opportunity for improved academic achievement, appropriate behavior, positive relationships, successful resolution of conflicts, safe school climate and increased attendance. Participating in prevention activities empowers and encourages students to take responsibility for their behavior and for the climate of their school and community. View the Specialist syllabus.

School counselors play a critical role in the development of policies supporting a safe school environment, and they provide leadership to the school by assisting in the design and implementation of schoolwide anti-bullying/harassment, violence prevention and conflict-resolution activities and programs. Learn how to create a comprehensive bullying prevention program in your school that promotes a safe and positive learning environment for your students.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Explain the need for all students to attend safe, orderly and caring schools
• Define and recognize bullying and describe its various forms, including the key differences between rudeness, mean behavior and bullying in schools
• Describe best practices in bullying prevention and response
• Include effective bullying prevention programs as a part of the comprehensive school counseling program
• Recognize differentiated interventions are needed for bullying and resolving a conflict
• Strategize how to collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents/guardians and the community to deliver prevention programs that encourage student growth and achievement and ensure a safe school climate

Registration Fee
The Bullying Prevention Specialist training is $99 ($249 for nonmembers) and is equal to 5 CEUs/50 Contact Hours. Graduate credit is available for an additional fee.