Addictions Counseling
Major: Addictions Counseling
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 57.5
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.1501
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 21-1011
About the Program
NOTE: This program is subject to approval by the program accreditor, Commission for Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).
The Master of Science in Addictions Counseling is an online program consisting of a 57.5-quarter credit curriculum (63.5 with practicum supervision) that meets the educational requirements for Certification as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) in the state of Pennsylvania. The curriculum covers the knowledge, theory, and skill development areas as suggested by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) and TAP 21.
Students will gain competence in best treatment practices related to substance abuse and co-occurring behavioral disorders including assessment, motivational interviewing, recovery and relapse prevention, cultural diversity, and family systems theory. For students interested in a clinical practicum experience, the program offers clinical supervision as an optional component. Some, but not all states, require a practicum experience as a prerequisite to licensure or certification.
Additional Information
For more information, go to Drexel Online Master's In Addictions Counseling webpage.
Admission Requirements
The following minimum criteria determine an applicant’s eligibility for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Academic transcripts(s)
- Focused personal essay:
- Reason for applying to the program
- How the program mission fits with their professional goals
- No GRE test scores
- Professional resume
Degree Requirements
| BACS 530 | Understanding Prevention and Prevention Programs | 3.0 |
| BACS 531 | Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences | 4.0 |
| BACS 532 | Ethical Issues in Addictions Counseling | 4.0 |
| BACS 534 | Approaches to Substance Use Disorders | 3.0 |
| BACS 535 | Motivational Enhancement Skills | 3.0 |
| BACS 540 | Treatment Planning and Relapse Prevention | 3.0 |
| BACS 568 | Substance Use Counseling with Special Populations | 3.0 |
| BACS 570 | Clinical Supervision Skills | 3.0 |
| BACS 573 | Group Dynamics and Techniques | 4.0 |
| CFTP 513 | DSM I: Adult Psychopathology | 3.0 |
| CFTP 516 | Behavioral/Process Addictions | 4.0 |
| CFTP 517 | Addictions in The Family | 4.0 |
| CFTP 521 | Human Development | 4.0 |
| CFTP 572 | Diversity and Contextual Factors in Clinical Practice | 4.0 |
| CFTP 725 | Trauma and Families | 4.0 |
| CTCN 603 | Clinical Appraisal and Assessment | 4.5 |
| Practicum Courses (Optional) | ||
| Addictions Practicum Supervision I | ||
| Addictions Practicum Supervision II | ||
| Addictions Practicum Supervision III | ||
| Total Credits | 57.5 | |
Sample Plan of Study
Full-time Plan of Study With Practicum Supervision
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BACS 532 | 4.0 | BACS 530 | 3.0 | BACS 543 | 2.0 | BACS 531 | 4.0 |
| BACS 534 | 3.0 | BACS 540 | 3.0 | BACS 568 | 3.0 | BACS 573 | 4.0 |
| BACS 535 | 3.0 | BACS 542 | 2.0 | BACS 570 | 3.0 | CFTP 516 | 4.0 |
| BACS 541 | 2.0 | CFTP 513 | 3.0 | CFTP 521 | 4.0 | CFTP 517 | 4.0 |
| CFTP 572 | 4.0 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CFTP 725 | 4.0 | ||
| 16 | 15.5 | 16 | 16 | ||||
| Total Credits 63.5 | |||||||
Full-time Plan of Study Without Optional Practicum Supervision
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BACS 532 | 4.0 | BACS 530 | 3.0 | BACS 568 | 3.0 | BACS 531 | 4.0 |
| BACS 534 | 3.0 | BACS 540 | 3.0 | BACS 570 | 3.0 | BACS 573 | 4.0 |
| BACS 535 | 3.0 | CFTP 513 | 3.0 | CFTP 521 | 4.0 | CFTP 516 | 4.0 |
| CFTP 572 | 4.0 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CFTP 725 | 4.0 | CFTP 517 | 4.0 |
| 14 | 13.5 | 14 | 16 | ||||
| Total Credits 57.5 | |||||||
Part-time Plan of Study with Optional Practicum Supervision
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BACS 534 | 3.0 | BACS 530 | 3.0 | BACS 568 | 3.0 | CFTP 516 | 4.0 |
| BACS 535 | 3.0 | BACS 540 | 3.0 | BACS 570 | 3.0 | CFTP 517 | 4.0 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BACS 532 | 4.0 | CFTP 513 | 3.0 | CFTP 521 | 4.0 | BACS 531 | 4.0 |
| CFTP 572 | 4.0 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CFTP 725 | 4.0 | BACS 573 | 4.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | ||||
| Third Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| BACS 541* | 2.0 | BACS 542* | 2.0 | BACS 543* | 2.0 | ||
| 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Total Credits 63.5 | |||||||
Part-time Plan of Study without Optional Practicum Supervision
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BACS 534 | 3.0 | BACS 530 | 3.0 | BACS 568 | 3.0 | CFTP 516 | 4.0 |
| BACS 535 | 3.0 | BACS 540 | 3.0 | BACS 570 | 3.0 | CFTP 517 | 4.0 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| BACS 532 | 4.0 | CFTP 513 | 3.0 | CFTP 521 | 4.0 | BACS 531 | 4.0 |
| CFTP 572 | 4.0 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CFTP 725 | 4.0 | BACS 573 | 4.0 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | ||||
| Total Credits 57.5 | |||||||
- *
This term is less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students this term.
