NASPA launches the newly updated Certified Peer Educator Program

On July 1, NASPA debuted the newest version of the Certified Peer Educator (CPE) training program. This update, powered by the BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA, brings with it an updated curriculum, new materials, and support for our campuses and communities. This debut is the culmination of the great work of NASPA Staff Members, NASPA Volunteers, and lifelong supporters of the BACCHUS Initiatives. We are excited for you to learn more about the CPE Program, explore the train-the-trainer course, and utilize the CPE Program to empower and develop your student leaders. 

 

What is the Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Training Program?

Identifying the Role of Peer Education on Today’s College Campuses

Initially launched by the BACCHUS Network in 1994, the Certified Peer Educator program has been an asset to health and wellness peer educators, leading to the certification of more than 200,000 individuals since its inception. As the higher education landscape has evolved, so have the roles of peer educators - whether in the capacity of traditional health and wellness peer educators, resident advisors, or orientation leaders (just to name a few). Nowadays, peer-to-peer education goes beyond peer health education, and campuses are relying more and more on their students to be curators of change and support systems for their peers. The CPE program provides foundational-level skills to allow these students to be successful. 

Skills Needed to be Effective Peer Educators and Leaders: An 8-Module Course

1. Understanding the Power, Roles, and Characteristics of Quality Peer Educators

    

2. Affecting and Understanding “Change Making” as a Peer Educator

    

3. Being an Effective Listener as a Peer Educator

    

4. A Peer Educator’s Role in Responding to Crisis

    

5. Bystander Intervention as a Peer Education Technique

    

6. Intrapersonal Applications of Identity as a Peer Educator

    

7. Putting the “Educator” in Peer Educator

    

8. Group Development and Moving Forward

    

This document outlines the course content and what to expect in each of these modules.

The Train-the-Trainer Process:

On-Campus Staff as Peer Educator Training Facilitators

This online, self-paced course is housed in NASPA’s Online Learning Community, and allows campus staff members to learn about the CPE Program and what they can expect when undertaking course facilitation. Through a pre-recorded curriculum led by a NASPA Staff Member, trainers will explore the history of peer education, witness the training curriculum, and learn more about how to facilitate the program on their campus. Knowledge Checks and reflection opportunities help facilitators continue to explore the content. Upon successful completion, facilitators will be able to access the training materials for their students, as well as a facilitation guide to aid them in their on-campus peer educator trainings.

How can you bring Certified Peer Educator Training (CPE) to your campus?

If you are interested in bringing the CPE Program to your campus, you have a number of options!

1.     Bring a NASPA Facilitator to your campus

NASPA has a full-time trainer available to come to campus to facilitate trainings. In addition to facilitating CPE, they can custom-build additional content to help meet the needs of your institution. Some previous custom-build trainings have included: Resident-Advisor Skill Building; Bystander Intervention; Alcohol and Other Drug misuse; Tobacco Cessation; and more. E-mail [email protected] for more information.

2.     Online Train the Trainer

If you are interested in becoming a CPE Trainer for your campus, you can register online through the Online Learning Community.  As a special benefit, NASPA Institutional Members will also receive a twenty percent discount on course materials.

3.     Train-the-Trainer at NASPA Events  

We are excited to be able to provide an on-site Train-the-Trainer Program on-site at some of NASPA’s in-person events. The first opportunity to do so is during the BACCHUS Initiatives of NASPA General Assembly, to be held in Kansas City, Missouri, November 17-20 2016.                                                                                                                 

Still have questions?

We want to hear from you! We know that this new program CPE Course may leave you with some questions, so please feel free to reach out to BACCHUS Initiatives Staff for more information.