About This Program

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Substance use disorders impact all of us—our communities, our families, and our spirit. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, an estimated 21.5 million Americans have substance use disorders, and fatalities are still climbing. Discover how you can make a difference as an addiction and prevention professional.

The mission of the substance use disorder counseling concentration is to assist you in becoming an effective addictions counselor by equipping you with the knowledge, competency, and skills needed to prepare for a state credential in addictions counseling. The program allows students to substantially/significantly move toward licensure or certification for substance abuse counseling in many states. However, to be fully knowledgeable about requirements, students should investigate in advance the specific requirements in their home state and/or the state in which they wish to practice, given that states' requirements differ.

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Substance Use Disorder Counseling Curriculum

Required Courses

(12 credits)

  • Substance Use and Abuse: From Prevention to Treatment
  • Social and Political Issues in Addiction
  • Addictions Counseling
  • Planning, Advocacy, and Administration of Addiction Services

Sample Elective Courses

(12 credits)

  • Nature, Assessment, and Treatment of Food Addiction
  • Dynamics of Case Management
  • Public Health Policies for Obesity and Food Addiction
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Adolescent Development in Context
  • Coping with Disease and Death
  • Family Counseling and Understanding Diverse Cultures
  • Law and Legal Advocacy

Create Your Own Flexible Schedule

Choose a fully online substance use disorder counseling degree program or a hybrid program, which includes a mix of online and in-class courses. Whichever you choose, we are prepared to support you. Please note that all concentration courses are delivered online.

Hybrid Evening Courses

Tuesday and Thursdays evening classes (typically twice per month), approximate 50:50 split between face-to-face and online hours

Hybrid Weekend Courses

Saturday and Sunday classes (typically twice per month), approximate 50:50 split between face-to-face and online hours

Fully Online Courses

All coursework is completed online in a social and interactive learning environment

 

To graduate, you will need 120 credits, 45 of which must be completed at Springfield College. In order to earn a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with the substance use disorder concentration, you must take the 12 required credits in substance use disorders, plus an additional 12 elective courses. Students may take the required and elective courses at Springfield College, or transfer in courses from other regionally accredited higher education institutions. Credits also may be awarded through the experiential learning process.

Student Projects

Recent projects by students in our substance use disorder counseling concentration:

  • All in For Springfield, addressing gambling addiction on the Springfield, Mass. Campus in response to MGM's casino in downtown Springfield.  
  • Addressing the Effects and Consequences of Substance Abuse among African American Males in Rhode Island
  • Serenity EROS (Empowering Recovering Opportunities for Success)
  • The Broken Bird Transitional Housing Program
  • Methadone to Abstinence Program
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