The Substance Abuse Counseling program offers flexible and student-centered program options to prepare students for careers as substance abuse counselors and related fields. Our instructors represent a broad range of experience, skills and knowledge in the field. University faculty with research and training expertise, as well as experienced practitioners in drug and alcohol treatment across many demographic groups and treatment settings make up the cadre of instructors.
► The Bachelor Degree Program:
The bachelor degree is designed for students who are interested in careers in the chemical dependency treatment areas of counseling and prevention. Students are prepared through a program grounded in current research and proven practice in the field of Substance Abuse Counseling to be qualified clinicians. Upon completion, students will have met academic requirements for Ohio Licensure. Complete licensure information can be found here.
Students have 2 options for completing the Bachelor of Science degree:
Students attend classes both in the traditional face-to-face delivery method and online through the blackboard platform.
Coursework is completely entirely via the Blackboard platform in an asynchronous, computer-based format without obligation to travel to UC’s campus.
► Certificate Programs:
Certificates are credit-based programs designed for focused learning. They are shorter than the degree program, requiring just 18-24 semester credit hours of coursework. Certificates can supplement an existing program of study or provide the additional training needed for licensure. All certificates can be completed online with no need to attend class on UC’s campus.
Undergraduate Certificates
- Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate
This 24 credit hour certificate is designed for students who already possess a baccalaureate degree or who are in the process of pursuing a baccalaureate degree in another discipline and who wish to become licensed and/or certified as a substance abuse counselor. - Substance Abuse Prevention Certificate
This 18 hour graduate-level certificate for students who wish to become state and nationally certified substance abuse prevention specialists. Several credits can also apply toward a master's degree in public health. - Violence Prevention in Families, Schools and Communities Certificate
This 21 credit hour undergraduate certificate program is a course of study preparing students to identify vulnerable individuals, families, and communities and to plan effective strategies to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of violence and abuse. This certificate is well suited for students and professionals in fields such as education, social work, criminal justice, psychology, nursing, and health education.
Graduate Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Substance Abuse Prevention
This 18 credit hour graduate certificate is designed to provide the education requirements for the highest level of national and state (Ohio) level certification. The certificate includes a combination of courses in substance abuse counseling and health education, as well as courses specific to substance prevention.
Post Master's Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling
This 20 credit hour certificate is designed for those seeking to become dually licensed as a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC) to supplement their existing license as a mental health provider. The certificate fully satisfies the addiction specific education requirements of the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board and the licensing boards of many other states.
