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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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: 

$1,015/credit

Time to completion:

3 semesters

Delivery:

100% online

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 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 
Apply

anytime

Start terms:

Fall, Spring & Summer

Admission Criteria

  1. Official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions you have attended 
  1. A professional essay describing your professional career goals in Addiction Counseling 
  1. 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.

If you are interested in this graduate certificate program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps.

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