Anna Maria College has offered graduate coursework in counseling psychology for several decades including concentrated coursework in counseling, diagnosis, and assessment of mental health.  In the spring of 2018, Anna Maria College was accredited as an Addiction Education Provider in Massachusetts.  Graduate students now have the exciting opportunity to concentrate their schooling in alcohol and drug counseling. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/) predicts a 22 percent job growth in this field from 2014-2024, which qualifies it as “much faster than the average for all occupations.”   

As a point of comparison, the projected job growth rate for counselors, social workers, and similar occupations is projected to be 12% over the same time period, and total job growth for all occupations is projected to be 7%. 

Massachusetts has the highest rate of employment for substance use counselors nationwide 

In addition, job growth is, “expected as addiction and mental health counseling services are increasingly covered by insurance policies.” 

This graduate certificate program is designed to fulfill the 270 training hours in the full range of educational requirements towards becoming a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Counselor 1 (LADC-I).  The certificate includes 9 required courses including a 300-hour internship in addiction counseling. For more information regarding the various licensing requirements for addiction counseling, please visit www.mass.gov. 

A unique aspect of this certificate is the fact that it can be taken as a standalone certificate or as part of a Master’s degree program.  To that end, students can feasibly receive both the LADC-I and LMHC licenses in the 60 credit Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology program.  Please consult with the Program Director of the Counseling Psychology Program with regards to completing the LADC-I certificate in tandem with a 60 credit Master’s degree.

1. PSY 606 Psychopathology
2. PSY 622 Counseling Theories
3. PSY 632 Group Process
4. PSY 724 Clinical Skills
5. PSY 726 Alcoholism Manifestation & Management
6. PSY 727 Substance Use Counseling
7. PSY 736 Multicultural Counseling
8. PSY 760 Professional Ethics and Orientation  
9. PSY 815 Internship Seminar I (300 hours)