Program Overview:
The Substance Abuse Certificate for Professionals is designed to deepen students’ knowledge and understanding of chemical and behavioral addictions from various theoretical perspectives and to identify the challenges addictions impact on the well-being of children, individuals, families, and groups. The primary focus of the certificate is to expose students to effective treatment modalities and therapeutic interventions catered to those struggling with an addiction to restore personal well-being. This certificate provides professionals the opportunity to complete 12 hours of specialized coursework required for licensure as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). All certificate courses satisfy the academic requirements for the LCDC. Additional licensure requirements are also required.
Certificate Admission Requirements:
Candidates seeking to complete the certificate must meet the following requirements:
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a related behavior sciences discipline (i.e. human services, psychology, criminal justice, human relations, social work, etc.). Bachelor’s degree(s) are reviewed by the Human Services, Management, and Leadership (HSML) program coordinator to determine eligibility.
- Obtained an accumulative GPA of 2.0 on the last 60 hours in undergraduate courses.
- Complete and submit a Post-bachelors admission application and official transcripts.
Certificate of Completion Requirements:
- Students completed all four (4) required courses with a C or better.
- Provide documentation of a completed internship. Students that have not completed an internship may do so by enrolling in the internship course and completing 300 hrs course direct practice services within an approved internship site. Proof of a completed internship is required by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services to receive the LCDC credential.
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) Requirements:
The fundamental requirements for an LCDC include completion of 18 hours of collegiate level courses, which nine hours must be specifically in substance abuse, meet registration requirements as a Counselor Intern through the Department of Health & Human Services, complete 300 hours of supervised fieldwork; successful completion of the written exam; and 4,000 supervised fieldwork experience post-Bachelors. Candidates for licensure are subjected to background checks and fingerprinting activities. For information regarding LCDC requirements please go to https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/licensing-credentialing-regulation/professional-licensing-certification-unit/licensed-chemical-dependency-counselor-program.
Course Offerings:
All Substance Abuse courses are offered 100% online in 8-week formats during fall and summer and 10 weeks during summer semesters. The certificate is designed for students to complete the required course within one academic year. To meet this goal, students must complete 6 hours per 8-week semester. See course rotation below. Students have the option to complete one course per semester.
Course Substitution:
Students seeking to meet licensure are required to complete 4 courses related to substance abuse.
The course can be substituted for either or . Upper level course must be completed as required.
Course Rotation:
Certificate courses are offered over 8-week semesters and delivered in a 100% online format.
Certificate Internship Requirements:
The internship course is optional. Students seeking licensure requirements are required to show evidence of a successful completed internship as part of the Bachelor’s or Master’s academic program. If students have not met this requirement s/he can enroll in the internship course. The internship courses require students to complete 300-hours direct practice internship with an organization providing addiction services.
Financial Aid:
Students seeking the certificate in Substance Abuse are ineligible to receive federal financial aid.
Click here for the Recommended Course Sequence degree plan.
Certificate Requirements, 12 hours
Students enrolled in the Stand-alone SA certificate must complete the following courses listed below.
Note: * means this course is optional.
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