Addictions Counseling

Submitted by hudspethea on Tue, 01/24/2012 - 4:48pm

There are three options within addiction counseling (1) enrollment in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program in the HPC department, (2) a masters degree that includes a clinical experience, or (3) the 12-hour graduate certificate program in addictions for people with a Bachelor degree working in the substance abuse field.

The North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) credentials are required or heavily encouraged by employers. The NCSAPPB requires a minimum of course work/workshop contact hours, some of which must be substance abuse specific. Our substance abuse counseling curriculum has been approved by NCSAPPB for board eligible candidates. Contact the NCSAPPB for more information on the credentialing process (www.ncsappb.org).

Option 1: "Criteria C" Students enrolled in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and completing the Addiction Counseling Certificate must have a CCS (Certified Clinical Supervisor or CIS (Certified Clinical Intern Supervior) as a supervisor during either their practicum or internship semesters. Upon graduating and completion of the certificate register with the NCSAPPB under LCAS through Criteria C and will need to complete 12 months of supervised experience under a CCS or a CIS.

Option 2: "Criteria A" Students graduating from any other Masters Degree program (i.e., Marriage and Family Therapy degree, Professional School Counseling etc..) who complete the Addiction Counseling Certificate will register with the NCSAPPB under LCAS through Criteria A and will need to complete 24 months of supervised experience under a CCS or a CIS.

Option 3: "Bachelors" Students who have a Baccalaureate degree and working in a mental health related field with people who have addiction issues may apply for the Addiction Counseling Certificate only. Once students complete the Addiction Counseling Certificate they can contact the NCSAPPB to determine eligibility to become a CSAC.

Get more information on the application process for the Addictions Certificate [PDF].

Schedule of Addisctions Counseling Courses

The following courses do not need to be taken in any specific order. Prerequisites for classes need to be waived by the administrator of the addictions concentration.

HPC 5560 The Addictive Process (offered fall and spring semester)
HPC 5274 Substance Abuse in Family Systems (offered every spring semester)
HPC 5570 Counseling the Addicted Person (offered every fall semester - limited enrollment)
HPC 5710 Helping the Troubled Employee (offered on demand)
HPC 6570 Appalachian Addictions Institute (offered every summer session - can be taken twice)
HPC 6770 Current Issues in Addictions (offered on demand)

Admission Requirements

No additional requirements are necessary beyond those required by the graduate school for a certificate program. Certificate students who apply to transfer into our masters program need to meet all current admission requirements of the department and the graduate school.

Notes

  • The quickest this certification can be completed is in 1 calendar year (2 courses per semester).
  • Students admitted to the certificate program may not be able to complete it by the time of their graduation due to course offerings and schedule conflicts.
  • Applications to the certificate program will be reviewed once a month during the fall and spring semesters.
  • Questions about the addictions concentration and addictions certificate will be taken by the administrator of the addictions program during fall and spring semesters.
  • No individual studies are allowed for any of the classes.