The CACREP-accredited MS in Professional Counseling: Addictions Counseling Track will train you to work with adults and adolescents experiencing one or more addictions (alcohol, prescription drugs or illicit drugs) in a variety of community settings, including addiction/recovery centers, community mental health centers, hospitals and employee assistance programs.
The program is designed to transition you into a career in professional counseling and prepare you to become a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania.
Additionally, this degree enables you to earn 180 hours of required addiction-specific coursework toward becoming a PA certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC).
60 credits
$1,015/credit
2.5 – 3.5 years
On campus
The 60-credit M.S. degree in Professional Counseling consists of 51 credits of core courses, 9 credits of Addictions Counseling electives, and 700+ clinical hours in Addictions Counseling.
PRC739 – Substance Abuse Counseling Theories & Interventions
PRC 741 – The Biological Bases of Alcohol & Other Drug Addiction
PRC 743 – Co-Occurring Disorders: Counseling Clients with Substance Abuse & Psychiatric Disorders
The 12-credit graduate certificate consists of four (4) addiction-specific online courses.
PRC 738 – Introduction to Substance Abuse Counseling
PRC739 – Substance Abuse Counseling Theories & Interventions
PRC 741 – The Biological Bases of Alcohol & Other Drug Addiction
PRC 743 – Co-Occurring Disorders: Counseling Clients with Substance Abuse & Psychiatric Disorders
Courses Descriptions for the Professional Counseling Program
“Professional practice, which includes practicum and internship, provides for the application of theory and the development of counseling skills under supervision. These experiences will provide opportunities for students to counsel clients who represent the ethnic and demographic diversity of their community.” – 2016 CACREP Standards: Section 3
During the practicum and internship experience, you will learn and practice, under supervision, a wide array of duties and responsibilities of a professional counselor who is employed at the site placement. These experiences are developmental in nature, as you grow in your competence, skills, and progress from practicum to internship experiences. Over the course of the clinical fieldwork experiences, you will complete a minimum of 700 clinical hours in Addictions Counseling.
Fast track your way into this master’s program by taking graduate courses as a Carlow undergraduate student. Course credits count toward both degrees. If you are interested in becoming a professional counselor and you are currently a junior or senior, with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, consider applying for the Accelerated Masters of Professional Counseling Program. You will be able to take up to four (4) graduate level courses which are held on-campus.
Graduate Course
PRC 708 Ethics and Professional Orientation
PRC 701 Human Growth and Lifespan Development
PRC 702 Social and Cultural Foundations
PRC 710 Counseling Theories
Accelerated Program – Undergraduate Prerequisite Courses
1) PY 122 Lifespan
2) PY 203 Personality Theory
3) PY 285 Intro to Counseling
4) Any additional 3 credits UG Psychology Course(s)
Contact your Carlow Faculty Advisor for details.
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.
▸ View the Professional Licensure Disclosure for this program.
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), has granted accreditation to the following programs in the Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Criminology at Carlow University: Addictions Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling through 2029.
The Professional Counseling Program emphasizes high standards of professional competence. The program is committed to its stated mission through ongoing accreditations by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). We emphasize ethical practice and keep current with state and national standards for certification and licensure for practice in clinical practice environments. In addition, we engage in ongoing program development and refinement based on accrediting bodies’ and licensure boards’ developments and recommendations, as well as sensitivity to licensure requirements, and legal and ethical issues.
Sign up for Professional Counseling Recruitment Events
If you are interested in pursuing a career in Professional Counseling by providing individual and group counseling, you can apply for free online. The graduate program admissions process happens on a rolling basis. Our students have undergraduate degrees in a wide array of disciplines from psychology, human services, social work, or other related majors to majors outside of the helping professions.
November 1 or April 1
Fall & Spring
Transfer students can transfer up to 9 credits earned at a CACREP-accredited program. International students can find more information on our International Admissions page.
The Professional Counseling Program’s application deadline for Fall semester is April 1st and November 1st for the Spring semester. We will continue to accept applications for review beyond those deadlines; however, preference will be given to those that applied by the designed deadlines. The preferred deadline for full consideration of graduate assistantship opportunities is February 1st.
Once your completed application is received, the program faculty will review your application materials and the selected applicants will be scheduled for an interview. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Admission decisions include regular, provisional, and conditional admission to the program.
If you are interested in this graduate program, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
