What you study

IU Online’s Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling is open to Indiana residents only. It offers instruction in the 12 core functions of an addiction counselor and also explores the history, major theories, techniques, and strategies in the field of substance addiction and intervention.   

How you benefit

Students in this program evaluate and critically analyze professional scholarship in the field. They apply the counseling skills needed to address the mental health needs of diverse clients—concentrating on prevention, intervention, and crisis management. They apply strategies for helping clients identify addiction’s impact on their life, relationships, and health, and the benefits of living without addiction. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of one’s own previous attitudes and beliefs surrounding mental health issues, substance use, and culturally diverse groups—and how these may influence future clinical work.

This program is taught by IU Bloomington, IUPUC, IU Kokomo, and IU South Bend. 

Certificate Requirements

To earn a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, you must complete 18 credit hours.  

Requirements are broken down as follows:

• Addiction counseling theories and techniques (core) course (3 credits)
• Clinical appraisal and assessment course (3 credits)
• Clinical problems and applications course (3 credits)
• Psychoactive drugs and psychopharmacology course (3 credits)
• Diversity course (3 credits)
• Practicum course (3 credits)
  Please note that the practicum must be completed on campus.

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree
2. 3.0 minimum GPA

To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:

1. Official transcripts from each undergraduate institution
2. Resume
3. Personal statement (250 words)

Application Dates

Fall semester: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Courses

All core courses are listed here. You will select from among these courses to meet certificate requirements.

• EDUC-G 510 Introducton to Alcohol and Drug Counseling (3 cr.)
• PSY-G 510 Alcohol and Drug Counseling (3 cr.)
• PSY-P 535 Introduction to Addictions Counseling (3 cr.)