Post-Master’s Certificate in Addiction Science

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Graduate Studies >> College of Liberal Arts

812-464-1843

24 Credit hours

The Online Advanced Studies in Addiction Science - OASAS (Post-Master’s Certificate in Addiction Science) is designed for individuals with a Master of Social Work Degree (MSW) who are interested in, or need education and training in, addiction services. This 100 percent online sequence of courses provides the latest knowledge, skills and attitudes of professional addiction treatment practice. Courses are offered by blending desktop video conferencing and an online learning management system. By enrolling in these courses, students will have opportunities to learn addiction theories and techniques, the basics of psychopharmacology, research methods, legal, ethical and professional standards, as well as crisis intervention tools utilized in assisting addicted individuals and their families.

Admission Requirements

OASAS coursework is non-sequential and admission applications with supporting documents are reviewed when received.

Next steps:

Visit the Online Advanced Studies in Addiction Science page for application instructions:
- www.usi.edu/addiction-science
Pay the $40 nonrefundable graduate application fee
Submit completed Graduate Studies application and request official academic transcripts sent to Graduate.Studies@usi.edu
Submit completed national and state background checks (Castlebranch) to USI.OASAS@usi.edu

Curriculum for Post-Master’s Certificate in Addiction Science

Required Courses (21 credit hours)

Courses are offered as 5-week (summer) or 8-week (fall/spring) modules depending on the term.

SOCW 634 - Social Work Practice with Substance Abusers and their Families Credits: 3
SOCW 653 - Addiction Counseling Theories and Techniques Credits: 3
SOCW 661 - Theory and Practice of Group Addiction Counseling Credits: 3
SOCW 664 - Crisis Intervention Credits: 3
SOCW 672 - Legal, Ethical & Professional Standards in Addiction Science Credits: 3
SOCW 673 - Research Methods in Addiction Counseling Credits: 3
SOCW 674 - Psychopharmacology Credits: 3

Addiction Field and Supervision Experience (3 credit hours)

The Addiction Field and Supervision Experience must consist of a minimum of 1 supervised practicum, internship or field experience in a counseling setting. Participants must meet a minimum number of 700 clock hours. This includes a minimum of 280 face-to-face client contact hours of addiction counseling services and a minimum of 105 hours of supervision from a LCAC who has at least 5 years of experience as a qualified supervisor is required. If documented Clinical Field Experience from accredited MSW coursework can be presented, these hours may be eligible to be applied to the hours required for the 700 contact hours.

SOCW 689 - Addiction Field and Supervision Experience Credits: 3

Licensure

Information and instructions from the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency on becoming a Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor Associate (LCACA) may be found at https://www.in.gov/pla/files/LCAC_by_Exam_Application_Instructions_2015.pdf. Out of state students interested in licensure will be required to provide evidence of completing requirements established by the professional licensing agency of the state in which they reside.

Additional coursework may be required to meet licensure requirements depending on the curriculum completed as part of the Master of Social Work program.