Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies

Graduate Certificate In Addiction Studies Director:
John Franklin, Ph.D.,Lp, Cac II
Reno 242
University Of Detroit Mercy
4001 W. Mcnichols Rd.
Detroit, Mi 48221-3038
Tel: 313.578.0468
frankljt@umercy.Edu

The Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies program is designed for individuals that possess a graduate degree in Counseling, Psychology or Social Work, or other related field and wish to further specialize in the study of addictions. It is an 18 semester-hour program, which includes a 300-hour internship. The Certificate program does not lead to licensure as a professional counselor (LPC), psychologist (LLP) or social worker (CSW).

Individuals completing this program are eligible for certification as an addictions counselor within the state of Michigan (CAC). The 18 credit hour program generally requires 1 year to complete.

The certificate provides students with course work and experience that, along with their professional degree, enables them to work effectively in the prevention, assessment, or treatment of addictive disorders, such as cannabis dependence and compulsive sexuality.

While the certificate course work can be pursued along with the graduate degree course work, it will only be awarded when the graduate degree is completed. Some of the professional fields which are compatible with this certificate are counseling, clinical psychology, social work, law, law enforement, probation, nursing, pastoral ministry, human resources, employee assistance, business and health care administration.

State Certification

The State of Michigan sponsors the Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) credential. The CAC is compulsory for most professionals who counsel chemically dependent clients in Michigan and many other states. UDM's Addiction Studies Certificate program provides all the educational and practicum hours required for the CAC should the student choose to pursue this credential. The additional requirements (state examinations and clinical hours) are the responsibility of the graduate.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission to graduate studies at University of Detroit Mercy.
2. Admission to graduate certificate program: Applicants submit to the Graduate Admissions Office of the University of Detroit Mercy, the following documents:

   a. A program application accompanied by a statement of personal career goals.

   b. One letter of recommendation attesting to the applicant's qualifications.

3. A personal interview with the department chair or a designated faculty member.
4. Applicants who are recovering from chemical dependence must demonstrate total abstinence for two years from all mood rewarding drugs via association with a recognized recovery program.

Program Features

To accommodate students who are employed during the day, all courses are taught after 5:00 p.m. weekdays and on Saturday. Personal academic advising is provided to each student. Classes are small and are taught by instructors well acquainted with both the theory and application of the subject matter. The course of study can be completed in one calendar year.

Curriculum

The curriculum has three components:

1. A core of three required courses totaling 9 hours:
   • ADS 509 - Drugs & Behavior,
   • ADS 511 - Theories of Addiction,
   • ADS 512 - Recovery Processes.
2. An elective component of two courses totaling three hours carefully chosen to meet the student's professional needs from among the following courses:
   • ADS 517 - Chemical Dependency & Youth,
   • ADS 536 - Family Theory & Therapy,
   • ADS 521 - Gambling and Sexual Addiction,
   • ADS 547 - Employee Assistance Programming,
   • ADS 560 - Spirituality & Recovery,
   • ADS 595 - Addictive Populations.
3. An applied component, totaling three hours, to be fulfilled as a field placement of 300 clock hours (ADS 588) or a culminating seminar (ADS 571) in which the student is directed in research in the student's chosen field of interest.
   Total Semester hours required: 18