Addictions Counseling
Kent State University’s Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling is a fully online program designed to provide professionals with the specialized skills needed to support individuals struggling with substance use disorders. Ideal for counselors, social workers, and healthcare professionals, this certificate equips students with the knowledge to address addiction through evidence-based practices. With flexible coursework, you can enhance your qualifications and make a meaningful impact in the field of addiction recovery.
Addictions Counseling Undergraduate Certificate Program Overview
The Addictions Counseling undergraduate certificate prepares students with all the requisite training hours for licensure eligibility as a chemical dependency counselor in Ohio, issued by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. The certificate supplements existing Kent State health and behavioral health degree programs, such as psychology, health education, and human development and family science. The certificate also allows in-career professionals to specialize in addictions counseling (e.g., nurses, clergy, rehabilitation counselors, mental health therapists). Successful completion of the first course in the certificate provides students the opportunity to apply for the chemical dependency counselor assistant (CDCA) credential from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
Course content includes theories and models of addiction and addictive behaviors; pharmacology (i.e., review of substances typically misused, as well as medications used to treat symptoms of substance use disorders); screening and diagnostic assessment of substance use and co-occurring disorders; case conceptualization and treatment planning using the American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria; evidence-based practices in addictions (e.g., motivational interviewing, contingency management); and legal and ethical considerations in addictions counseling.
Experiential training is infused throughout the curriculum (e.g., use of simulated clients) and culminates in a practicum in the field at an approved behavioral healthcare facility offering addictions services under the supervision of an approved licensed behavioral healthcare provider.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State’s website for professional licensure disclosure.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Articulate comprehension of a range of models or theories of addiction and evidence-based practices in addictions counseling.
- Demonstrate at least minimal competence in addictions-related services, including assessment, treatment planning, counseling session facilitation and coordination of care.
- Apply for licensure as chemical dependency counselors in Ohio.
- Apply for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
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As I enter graduate school to become a licensed professional counselor, I know these skills will follow me. Even in my graduate interview, I found myself citing MI as a guide to what a counselor is. I’ve already learned so much about partnership and collaboration. I feel almost hungry to learn more and I plan to do that by investing myself in the literature on MI.
What qualifications do I need to enroll in the Certificate in Addictions Counseling program?
Applicants typically need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as psychology, social work, or counseling. However, professionals from other fields may also qualify with relevant experience.
Can this certificate help me meet licensure requirements for addiction counseling?
The program is designed to provide education and training that are aligned with licensure requirements in many states. However, licensure requirements vary by state, so you should check with your state licensing board for specific criteria.
Does this program provide licensure in the state of Ohio?
Yes. This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State’s website for professional licensure disclosure.
Can I use this certificate outside of Ohio?
No, the Addictions Counseling undergraduate certificate prepares students with all the requisite training hours for licensure eligibility as a chemical dependency counselor in Ohio, issued by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
How long does it take to complete the Addictions Counseling Certificate?
The program is flexible and can typically be completed within one year, depending on your course load and schedule.
Is this program fully online, and are there any in-person requirements?
Yes, the Certificate in Addictions Counseling is offered entirely online, allowing you to complete coursework from anywhere. There are no in-person requirements.
What career opportunities are available after completing the Addictions Counseling Certificate?
Graduates may pursue careers as addiction counselors, case managers, and substance abuse specialists or continue their education toward advanced degrees in counseling or related fields.
Why should I get a certificate in addictions counseling?
The certificate supplements existing Kent State health and behavioral health degree programs, such as psychology, health education, and human development and family studies. The certificate also allows in-career professionals to specialize in addictions counseling (e.g., nurses, clergy, rehabilitation counselors, and mental health therapists).
What can I do with a certificate in addictions counseling?
Examples of possible careers include:
- Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
What will I learn in this program?
You will learn how to:
- Articulate comprehension of a range of models or theories of addiction and evidence-based practices in addictions counseling.
- Demonstrate at least minimal competence in addictions-related services, including assessment, treatment planning, counseling session facilitation, and coordination of care.
- Apply for licensure as a chemical dependency counselor in Ohio.
- Apply for the Alcohol & Drug Counselor (ADC) credential through the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).
Addictions Counseling Undergraduate Certificate Program Admissions Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.
First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.
First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.
Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.
Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog’s Academic Policies.
Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program’s Coursework tab
Admission GPA for Undergraduate Students
For admissions, the College of Education, Health and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours. Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into programs, Advanced Study, and the Professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen, or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State cumulative GPA will be considered for admission into a program, Advanced Study, and Professional Phase.
Students who have completed 12 or more credit hours of previous college-level coursework, either at Kent State University or at another accredited institution, need an overal GPA of 2.00 or higher to declare a College of Education, Health and Human Services majors, minors or certificates unless a higher minimum GPA is specified by the program. See specific programs in this catalog for more information on required minimum GPA to declare. Non-degree EHHS General can be declared without a minimum 2.00 overall GPA.
Transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 12 semester hours of college-level coursework will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records.
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Requirements | ||
| CES 34650 | PRACTICES AND THEORIES IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING | 3 |
| CES 34654 | EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACHES IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING | 3 |
| CES 37662 | INTRODUCTION TO ADDICTIONS COUNSELING | 3 |
| CES 37665 | PLANNING CARE IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING | 3 |
| CES 37692 | ADDICTIONS COUNSELING PRACTICUM (ELR) | 4 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 16 | |
Addictions Counseling Undergraduate Certificate Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $592.97 | $1,778.91 | $9,500 part-time1 $6,500 full-time2 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
| $602.97 | $1,808.91 | $9,600 part-time3 $6,700 full-time4 |
1The $592.97 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.
2The flat-rate semester fee of $6,526.80 applies to full-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester.
3The $602.97 per-credit-hour tuition rate applies to part-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour.
4The flat-rate semester fee of $6,526.80 applies to full-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 12-18 credit hours, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credits taken (between 12-18 semester credits or $120-$180).
The tuition listed above is for the Kent campus. The Addictions Counseling Undergraduate Certificate is offered at both the Kent campus and one or more Regional campus. The tuition rate will be assessed individually for each campus, however, the individual tuition assessments added together will not exceed the Kent campus flat rate capped at between 12-18 credits. If the tuition added together for each campus does exceed that amount, then the student account will be adjusted. Please visit the Admissions website for information regarding Regional campus tuition.
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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