Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling
This program is not currently admitting students. Please contact the department for further information.
The Graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling (GCAC) provides specialized education and training in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) disorders. Specifically, the coursework provides education in the theories, techniques, and core functions of substance abuse counseling, focusing on evidence-based research and best practice standards. Specialized clinical experience complements coursework. This certificate program fulfills the educational requirements for Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC).
Applicants who are not current Counselor Education students must have a degree in counseling or a closely related mental health degree from an accredited university program that meets the academic and clinical requirements for licensure as a master's-level mental health professional. Applicants can apply through NEIU's online application system. The online application requires the following:
- Application form
- Application fee
- Official transcripts from all universities and colleges attended
- Current resume
- Two recommenders (applicants will be prompted to enter contact information for two professional recommenders)
- Signed Informed Consent
- Essay: In 500-700 words, please respond to the following prompts:
How do you see yourself aligning with NEIUs Counseling Department?
Please talk about your personal and/or professional experiences that make you a strong candidate for this program.
An application is reviewed only if all application materials are received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date for the semester applied for.
For applicants who are current Northeastern Illinois University students in Clinical Mental Health, Couple and Family, Rehabilitation or School Counseling:
- Minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Addiction Counseling Certificate Application for Current Students. Once all signatures are collected, submit to Graduate Records at graduate-records@neiu.edu.
- Graduate Program Add Request Form. Once all signatures are collected, submit to Graduate Records at graduate-records@neiu.edu.
- An application is reviewed only if all application materials are received by Graduate Records by the deadline date for the semester applied for.
Contact Counselor Education at (773) 442-5550 or counsedu@neiu.edu if you have further questions or if the links are not working.
The proposed Addiction Counseling Certificate (ACC) requires completion of 21 graduate credits.
Required Core Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-425 | Diagnosis And Treatment Of Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| COUN-426 | Advanced Treatment Of Addictive Disorders | 3 |
| COUN-428 | Advanced Issues In Co-occurring Disorders And Counseling Interventions | 3 |
| COUN-429 | Psychopharmacology | 3 |
| COUN-438 | Trauma And Crisis Counseling | 3 |
Required Clinical Courses
Completion of 500 supervised clinical experience at an approved addiction counseling site. Students may choose from one of the four counselor education programs’ Practicum and Internship courses:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-444 | Practicum: Group Supervision In Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-464 | Internship I: Clinical Mental Health Counseling | 3 |
family counseling:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-445 | Practicum I:Group Supervision In Couple And Family Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-465 | Internship I:Group Supervision In Couple And Family Counseling | 3 |
rehabilitation counseling:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-446 | Practicum In Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-463 | Internship I:Rehabilitation Counseling | 3 |
School counseling:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COUN-442 | Practicum I:Group Supervision In School Counseling | 3 |
| COUN-462 | Internship I:School Counseling | 3 |