Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling

The Graduate Certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling is an online four course sequence that can be completed in one calendar year and is designed to prepare graduate students enrolled in a Radford University master’s helping profession major and/or practitioners who hold a master’s in a helping profession (e.g., counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, psychology, nursing, or any other closely related helping profession) to address the growing need for specialized services in the prevention, treatment, and recovery of substance use disorders.

Through coursework and applied learning opportunities students enrolled in this graduate certificate program will receive advanced training in the biological, psychological, and sociocultural foundations of addiction, evidence-based counseling interventions, co-occurring disorders, and ethical and culturally responsive practice. Additionally, students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance misuse. Special emphasis is placed on developing competencies in assessment, treatment planning, relapse prevention, and recovery support, with particular attention to the needs of rural and underserved populations.

Completion of the online certificate program may aid current students and practitioners in meeting curricular requirements for national or state credentialing in substance abuse counseling depending on individual state guidelines.

Admissions: Applicants to the Graduate Certificate in Substance Abuse and Addictions Counseling must meet the admission requirements outlined below:

Current Radford University graduate students in the Department of Counselor Education
Current matriculated graduate students in the Department of Counselor Education may apply to the certificate program by submitting an approved Graduate Certificate Form to the Graduate Admissions Office.

Current Radford University graduate students in other related fields
Current matriculated graduate students in other Radford University graduate programs may apply if they are enrolled in a program in behavioral health, human services, or a related clinical profession. Applicants in this group must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, submit a 2–3 page writing sample, and provide written approval from the department chair or program coordinator of their home department. The writing sample should address relevant personal and professional experiences, personal characteristics that support success in the counseling profession, and intended use of the certificate. Students who minimally meet the stated criteria may be invited to interview with program faculty.

Certificate-seeking applicants
Applicants seeking only the certificate must apply as certificate students. Applicants in this group must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0, submit official transcripts of all prior graduate coursework, provide a 2–3 page writing sample, and submit two reference letters. The writing sample should address reasons for entering the certificate program, interest in the certificate, relevant personal and professional experiences, personal characteristics that support success in the counseling profession, and intended use of the certificate.

Applicants educated outside the United States and applicants whose native language is not English
Applicants who have not earned a degree in the United States must submit official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. Records from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a NACES-approved credential evaluation service and accompanied by certified English translations. Applicants whose native language is not English, or who have not earned a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 on the paper-based test or 79–80 on the internet-based test is required. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required.

Required Courses (12 credit hours)

• COED 682: Drugs, Society, and Professional Issues in Addictions Counseling
• COED 683: Assessment and Applied Interventions for Substance Use Disorders
• COED 684: Psychopharmacology of Substance Use Disorders
• COED 686: Overview of Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders