| ADDICTIONS COUNSELING CURRICULUM |
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The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program (formerly community counseling program) received an international honor in 2006, receiving the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors Outstanding Program Award at the 2006 American Counseling Association Conference in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. |
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There are two options within addiction counseling (1) a full 60-hour masters program or (2) the 12-hour graduate certificate program in addictions. The certificate program may be completed within or separate from the M.A. program. To apply for the masters program or the certificate program, visit the Graduate School website.
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 (ncsappb.org).
OPTION 1: M. A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a concentration in Addictions Counseling
The M. A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program with a concentration in Addictions Counseling is a 60-hour program designed to prepare students to work in a variety of settings related to substance use and abuse. Students will complete the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program curriculum as well as choose from a variety of courses in addictions counseling to complete the concentration. This program and concentration also prepares and qualifies students toward becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina and other states, as well as becoming credentialed by the NCSAPPB (additional post-graduate supervision is required).
Concentration in Addictions Counseling
| HPC 5560 | The Addictive Process (offered fall and spring semester) | 3 |
| HPC 5570 | Counseling the Addicted Person (offered every fall semester - limited enrollment) | 3 |
And one of the following: HPC 5274 Substance Abuse in Family Systems (3) (offered spring semester) HPC 5710 Helping the Troubled Employee (3) (offered on demand) HPC 6570 Appalachian Addictions Institute (3) (offered every summer - can be taken twice) HPC 6770 Current Issues in Addictions (3) (offered on demand) |
3 | |
TOTAL HOURS FOR CONCENTRATION: |
9 |
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NOTE: The NCSAPPB exempts graduates who take four addictions courses plus internship from 18 months of the 36 months experience requirement for licensure if their practicum/internship supervision is under the auspices of a NCSAPPB Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS).
Classes that can be taken for the fourth class are:
| HPC 5274 | Substance Abuse in Family Systems (3) (offered spring semester) (can be taken if not taken previously) |
| HPC 5710 | Helping the Troubled Employee (3) (offered on demand) |
| HPC 6570 | Appalachian Addictions Institute (3) (offered every summer - can be taken twice) |
| HPC 6770 | Current Issues in Addictions (3) (offered on demand) |
OPTION 2: Graduate Certificate Program in Addiction Counseling
Students who have a completed undergraduate degree and do not wish to complete the entire 60-hour program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling have as an option the Addictions Counseling Graduate Certificate Program. This program does not qualify students to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina, and does not automatically qualify them for becoming board eligible through the NCSAPPB. Contact the NCSAPPB for more information on the credentialing process (ncsappb.org)
The Addictions Counseling Graduate Certificate Program is also open to current M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program students who wish to seek a graduate certificate while completing the masters degree program in clinical mental health counseling. In addition to the courses below, masters degree students must also complete the required core curriculum of the clinical mental health counseling program.
Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling
| HPC 5560 | The Addictive Process (offered fall and spring semester) | 3 |
| HPC 5570 | Counseling the Addicted Person (offered every fall semester - limited enrollment) | 3 |
| HPC 6570 | Appalachian Addictions Institute (offered every summer - can be taken twice) |
3 |
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And one of the following electives: HPC 5274 Substance Abuse in Family Systems (3) (offered spring semester) HPC 5710 Helping the Troubled Employee(3) (offered on demand) HPC 6570 Appalachian Addictions Institute (3) (offered every summer - can be taken twice) HPC 6770 Current Issues in Addictions (3) (offered on demand) |
3 | |
TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATE CERTIFICATE: |
12 | |
All certificate students must receive a grade of a B or better in a course in order to receive credit toward their certificate. The specific sequence of courses will depend on the time of year that the student enters the program. No courses from other universities will be accepted as substitutes in order to maintain quality control of the material. If a student transfers into the degree program from the certificate program, upon discretion of the faculty, the full 12 hours may be accepted toward their degree.
Get more information on the application process for the addictions certificate (pdf).
SCHEDULE OF ADDICTIONS 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:
1) The quickest this certification can be completed is in 1 calendar year (2 courses per semester).
2) 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.
3) Applications to the certificate program will be reviewed the first month of fall and spring semesters.
4) Questions about the addictions concentration and addictions certificate will be taken by the administrator of the addictions program during fall and spring semesters.
5) No individual studies are allowed for any of the classes.
