Program Overview

Drug and Addiction Studies, Certificate

College of Social Work

Increase your marketability with this flexible graduate certificate that offers advanced education around addiction prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery for both individuals and families.

Gain direct and relevant experience in a cross-disciplinary program designed to expand drug and alcohol counseling career possibilities in a variety of professional settings. Learn from clinical and research faculty plus gain valuable field experiences through our dedicated community partners.

Program Highlights

• Community-Focused

  Study vulnerable populations including adolescents, women, veterans, ethnic groups, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

• Advanced Learning

  Understand and identify the unique properties of alcohol, cannabis, opioid, and other substance use disorders.

• Person-Based Care

  Learn prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention therapies around substance disorders.

• Stand-Out Skills

  Enhance your competitiveness in a changing job market with the addition of addiction-focused knowledge and skills.

What You’ll Study

Courses include professional and ethical responsibility, policy advocacy, community education, clinical evaluation, treatment planning, referral, and service coordination for addressing alcohol and drug-related problems. You'll apply proven approaches for prevention, intervention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

• Listening Skills

  Understanding what others are saying to facilitate effective communication

• Handling Conflict

  Resolving disagreements or disputes between individuals or groups in a fair and constructive manner

• Interpersonal Skills

  Communicating and interacting effectively in a variety of social and professional situations

• Communication

  Exchanging information and ideas through speaking, writing, or other means of expression

• Research

  Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

• Data Analysis

  Examining and interpreting information to uncover insights and inform decision making

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Potential Careers

• Drug and Alcohol Counselor
• Adolescent Therapist
• Veterans Counselor
• Counselor
• Therapist

Workplace Settings

• Medical
• Hospitals
• Treatment Centers
• Veterans Administration
• Outpatient Clinics
• Education

Related Degrees

• Certificate: Maternal and Child Health, Arnold School of Public Health
• Certificate: Social and Behavioral Health with Military Members, Veterans, and Military Families, College of Social Work
• Master's: Trauma-Informed Practice, Certificate, College of Social Work
• Certificate: Nursing Education, College of Nursing
• Certificate: Global Health, Arnold School of Public Health
• Certificate: Psychiatric Rehabilitation, School of Medicine Columbia
• Certificate: Behavioral Health in Athletic Training, Arnold School of Public Health
• Certificate: Critical Incident Management and Primary Care in Athletic Training, Arnold School of Public Health
• Certificate: Environmental Law and Sustainability, Joseph F. Rice School of Law