Drug and Alcohol Counseling certificate program

Earn a certificate in Addiction Counseling

Carlow University’s Post-Masters Addiction Counseling certificate is a four-course sequence for new as well as experienced clinicians who want to enhance their knowledge and understanding of addictions. The Post-Master’s Addiction Counseling certificate is housed within the Professional Counseling Program in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Criminology, College of Arts & Sciences. The Professional Counseling Program offers a variety of CACREP-accredited programs: 60-credit Masters of Science in Professional Counseling Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or Addictions Counseling; 12-credit Post-Masters Certificate in Addictions Counseling; 9-credit Post-Masters Certificate in School-Based Mental Health Counseling; and the Accelerated Masters Professional Counseling Program for Carlow Undergraduates.

The Post-Master’s Addiction Counseling certificate (12 credits) meets the Addictions-specific education requirements for the IC&RC Examination for Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (AADC exam) and PA Certification Board – Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC). Through this program, students will build the foundation for competency in Addiction Counseling.

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A student gazes out of a window at sunset. The reflection show in the glass behind her. — In Grace Library, spanning the third and fourth floor of the University Commons, there are numerous quiet spaces and study rooms for individuals and groups to use.

Credits required:

12 credits

Cost per credit:

$986/credit

Time to completion:

3 semesters

Delivery:

100% online

Curriculum for Addictions Counseling Certificate

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The four certificate courses are:

PRC 738 Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling
PRC 739 Substance Abuse Counseling Theories and Interventions
PRC 741 The Biological Bases of Alcohol and Other Drug Addiction
PRC 743 Co-occurring Disorders: Counseling Clients with Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders.

Quick facts

Learn at your own pace
Apply earned credits toward a master’s or doctoral degree
Gain required CEUs for licensure

Personal experience. Handsome bearded young man telling his story and sharing the personal experience while participating in a group therapy session

Career opportunities for Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling

Employment of substance abuse and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Admission requirements and application process

Admission Criteria

Master degree in Counseling or related profession from an accredited institution
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Evidence of work and/or volunteer experience in a helping field
Ability to perform all the program’s essential standards required to practice as a professional counselor
Ability to demonstrate professional dispositions and behaviors

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anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

Admission Criteria

Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended

A professional essay describing your professional career goals in Addiction Counseling

Current resume or curriculum vitae

An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred; however, provisional admission is also possible if you do not meet all of the admission criteria but exhibit a strong possibility of academic success.