Program Overview

Addiction Studies Bachelor's

Program Overview

The Addiction Studies program at The University of North Texas prepares students to become allies for individuals with addiction, working with those at risk and those in recovery. The program provides the required courses for licensure as a Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the state of Texas.

Program Details

• Program Type: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 4 years
• Credit Hours: 120

Program Description

The Addiction Studies program prepares students to work directly with individuals with substance use disorders and process addictions, facilitating long-term recovery, autonomy, and improved quality of life. Graduates become interdisciplinary professionals who advance equity and optimize quality-of-life outcomes in diverse communities with substance use disorders.

Marketable Skills

• Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competence
• Critical Thinking Skills and Treatment Planning
• Professional and Ethical Responsibilities
• Interpersonal Communication
• Professional Readiness (Addiction Competencies)

Program Highlights

• The program’s curriculum meets the criteria for credential as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the State of Texas and serves as a robust foundation for graduate study.
• The program provides rigorous courses taught by clinically trained, licensed, and experienced faculty who have a rich history in their areas of expertise.
• The program offers an integrated model of addictions, mental health, and co-occurring disorders.
• This major provides exposure to addiction diagnoses, all levels of care, and competencies for working with adults and adolescents.

Career Opportunities

• The demand for Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDCs) in treatment centers, criminal justice agencies, schools, medical facilities, social welfare programs, and private practice is urgent.
• Alumni of our programs become researchers, educators, administrators, and clinicians.

Sample Courses

• Drugs and Alcohol (3 hrs): Covers the psychological, biological, and behavioral effects of substance use and addiction with particular focus on the impact of alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, opiates, stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens on mind, body, and behavior.
• Addiction Treatment Models (3 hrs): Provides an overview of treatment strategies used in the treatment of alcohol/drug use and dependence. Examines basic chemical dependency treatment service delivery systems within the context of alcohol and other drug use counseling theory.
• Alcohol, Drugs and Disability (3 hrs): Examines the biological, psychological, and systemic nature of substance use and addiction, their overlap with other mental and physical disabilities, and their relationship to the process of rehabilitation.
• Addiction Counseling and Groups (3 hrs): Principles and practice for the most common forms of addiction treatment offered today. Explores methods of dealing with substance use disorder issues in a group and offers opportunities to apply skills in class settings.
• Current Issues in Substance Use Disorders (3 hrs): Current issues in substance use disorders are explored using various types of research reports and other professional literature. These sources are used to help students understand the role of research in developing programs, formulating policies, and evaluating one’s practice. Students become critical consumers of professional literature as they develop specialized expertise on specific problems, groups, or practices used in treating addictions and substance use disorders.
• Addictions (3 hrs): Examines the biological, social-developmental, and psychological impact of substance use and behavioral-process addiction as well as its relationship to individual and family functioning. Investigates the relationship between substance use and chronic stress, trauma, and psychological health. Reviews current treatment methods and settings for substance use disorders in addition to current and historical social-political issues related to substance use and legislation.