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Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies
Program Overview
Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies
About
The Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services offers an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies. The certificate program is designed for individuals already holding master's degrees in counseling who are seeking to enhance their professional counseling practice and licensure options.
The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addictions Studies meets the needs of health professionals such as marriage and family therapists, community counselors, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, physicians, psychologists, social workers, and behavioral health therapists by providing graduate addiction training to help them address client needs.
Faculty members in the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services endeavor to promote excellence in counselor education and counseling research. Our graduate counseling programs prepare students to:
- Serve as professional counselors, advocates, and leaders who maximize opportunities for individuals, groups, and communities with a particular emphasis on helping underserved and oppressed client populations;
- Address developmental, academic, career, mental health, socio-cultural, and wellness needs of clients seeking counseling;
- Help individuals, groups and communities strive to find meaning, involvement, worth, and dignity in their lives;
- Engage in action research and program evaluations to further the knowledge base and best practice initiatives of the counseling profession; and
- Advocate with local, state, and national organizations to promote client and societal wellbeing.
Available Options
- Concurrent Master’s Track
- Post-Master’s Track
Accreditation
For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.
Learning Outcomes
The learning outcomes associated with the certificate in addiction studies are consistent with the guidelines set forth by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) and Nevada State Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Counselors. Upon completing the certificate, students will have acquired and demonstrated knowledge and skills in accordance with the following standards:
Knowledge
- Students will be able to identify and describe major theoretical perspectives on addictions
- Students will be able to identify and discuss the biopsychosocial effects of addictions
- Students will be able to identify, choose the proper addictions screening and assessment tools, and discuss addiction treatment options
- Students will be able to describe the ASAM criteria, different levels of care, and treatment settings
- Students will be able to discuss the DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders and non-substance-related disorders
Practice and Skills
- Students will be able to determine and demonstrate appropriate intervention and addiction counseling skills
- Students will be able to develop comprehensive treatment, discharge, and after care plans
- Students will be able to identify and choose evidence-based treatment approaches for individuals and families affected by addictions
- Students will be able to identify and determine appropriate referral sources in the community
Professional Responsibilities
- Students will be able to identify personal and professional biases and demonstrate cultural competencies
- Students will be able to develop and demonstrate professional attitudes and ethical decision making skills in working with the population of individuals and families affected by addictions
- Students will be able to adhere to accepted ethical and behavioral standards of conduct
- Students will be able to commit to continuing educational and professional development
Career Possibilities
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Substance Abuse Professional (SAP)
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor Supervisor
- Certified Problem Gambling Counselor (CPGC)
- Problem Gambling Supervisor
Requirements
Plan Description
The Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services offers an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies. The certificate program is designed for individuals already holding master's degrees in counseling who are seeking to enhance their professional counseling practice and licensure options.
The Advanced Graduate Certificate in Addictions Studies meets the needs of health professionals such as marriage and family therapists, community counselors, rehabilitation counselors, school counselors, physicians, psychologists, social workers, and behavioral health therapists by providing graduate addiction training to help them address client needs.
Faculty members in the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services endeavor to promote excellence in counselor education and counseling research. Our graduate counseling programs prepare students to:
- Serve as professional counselors, advocates, and leaders who maximize opportunities for individuals, groups, and communities with a particular emphasis on helping underserved and oppressed client populations;
- Address developmental, academic, career, mental health, socio-cultural, and wellness needs of clients seeking counseling;
- Help individuals, groups and communities strive to find meaning, involvement, worth, and dignity in their lives;
- Engage in action research and program evaluations to further the knowledge base and best practice initiatives of the counseling profession; and
- Advocate with local, state, and national organizations to promote client and societal wellbeing.
Plan Admission Requirements
- Application Deadlines: Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
- All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements
- Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
- Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
- Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
- All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
(b) Department Admission Requirements
- Students must already be enrolled in or hold a master's degree in counseling or related programs, or be currently admitted to the Clinical and Mental Health Counseling M.S. program or School Counseling M.Ed. program at UNLV.
- All applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements by submitting the following:
- Three letters of recommendations
- Resume/CV
- Writing Sample - prompts are provided in the application
Plan Requirements
- See Subplan Requirements below.
Subplan 1: Concurrent Master's (Exclusively Fully Online*)
- Total Credits Required: 12
Course Requirements
- Required Courses – Credits: 3
- CED 735 - Addictions Counseling
- Elective Courses – Credits: 9
- Complete 9 credits from the following list or advisor-approved courses.
- CED 610 - Eating Disorders: Etiology and Treatment
- CED 620 - Identification, Assessment, and Treatment of The Process Addictions
- CED 639 - Problem Gambling Counseling I
- CED 640 - Problem Gambling Counseling II
- CED 645 - Trauma and Addiction
- CED 745 - Assessment, Treatment, and Case Management in Addictions
- CED 783 - Understanding and Treating Trauma
- Complete 9 credits from the following list or advisor-approved courses.
Certificate Requirements
- This Program is available Fully Online (Please see the Fully Online Modality Tracks in Programs section of this Catalog for more information).
- Completion of a minimum of 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
- Students who receive an F or more than two C grades will be separated from the program.
- Students are expected to follow continuous enrollment policies stated in the graduate catalog.
Subplan 2: Post-Master's (Exclusively Fully Online*)
- Total Credits Required: 12
Course Requirements
- Required Courses – Credits: 3
- CED 735 - Addictions Counseling
- Elective Courses – Credits: 9
- Complete 9 credits from the following list or advisor-approved courses.
- CED 610 - Eating Disorders: Etiology and Treatment
- CED 620 - Identification, Assessment, and Treatment of The Process Addictions
- CED 639 - Problem Gambling Counseling I
- CED 640 - Problem Gambling Counseling II
- CED 645 - Trauma and Addiction
- CED 745 - Assessment, Treatment, and Case Management in Addictions
- CED 783 - Understanding and Treating Trauma
- Complete 9 credits from the following list or advisor-approved courses.
Certificate Requirements
- This Program is available Fully Online (Please see the Fully Online Modality Tracks in Programs section of this Catalog for more information).
- Completion of a minimum of 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
- Students who receive an F or more than two C grades will be separated from the program.
- Students are expected to follow continuous enrollment policies stated in the graduate catalog.
Certificate Completion Requirements
- Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements.
- All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
