Addiction Studies | BA

Program Overview

The Addiction Studies Program offers a contemporary and comprehensive study of addiction through the primary lens of Psychology. Students will explore both theoretical and evidence-based concepts, practices, and policies of Addiction and Recovery. Coursework will look at the mental and behavioral impact of substance use, addiction and recovery on individuals, families and communities while also considering how problems and solutions must meet the concerns of multicultural and diverse populations.

Addiction Studies is available as a major or a minor. There is an additional track that concentrates on addiction counseling and prepares students in becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level 1 (LADC-1) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program prepares students for careers in the fields of substance use, behavioral disorders, and mental health counseling. These positions are often found in public and private mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice. Employment of substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030.

Students interested in further pursuing their careers can complete a standalone Addiction Counseling Graduate Certificate or can concentrate their studies in addiction counseling through our Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA/LMHC) program.

More Information

Course Of Study

Minor

Addiction Studies Minor

The Addiction Studies Minor provides an interdisciplinary education as it relates to substance use, addiction, and recovery. Students will be offered courses in substance use theory, prevention, treatment, and social issues. There is an additional track that concentrates on addiction counseling and prepares students in becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level 1 (LADC-1) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The goal of the minor is to increase student knowledge, competency, and skills as it relates to the field of addiction science. According to the www.mass.gov website,

“The LADC-I is a person licensed by the Department to conduct an independent practice of alcohol and drug counseling, and to provide supervision to other alcohol and drug counselors.”

A person who has their LADC-I license can bill certain insurance companies for their services. The license is designed to prepare people for careers in the field of substance use in various settings across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

However, it is also anticipated that there will be many undergraduate students who will be interested in Addiction Studies yet may not be interested in LADC licensure. Hence, the Addiction Studies Minor is designed to have two tracks that are effectively distinguished as “licensure” versus “non-licensure” tracks. Regardless of track, students in the minor take four core courses. If the student is not interested in LADC licensure, he or she will take two upper-level (i.e. 300-level or above) elective courses that are relevant to the field of substance use (e.g. HST 332 Drug Trafficking in Latin America). Students interested in licensure will take two graduate classes in counseling psychology as Fifth Year Option courses and will complete an additional 300 hour internship experience.

Addiction Studies Minor (18 credits)

1. PSY 205: Foundations of Addiction
2. PSY 206: Addiction Counseling
3. CRJ 304: Drugs & Society
4. PSY 306: Abnormal Psychology
5. Upper-Level Elective
6. Upper-Level Elective

Addiction Studies Minor – Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Track (24 credits)

1. PSY 205: Foundations of Addiction
2. PSY 206: Addiction Counseling
3. CRJ 304: Drugs & Society
4. PSY 306: Abnormal Psychology
5. PSY 622: Counseling Theory
6. PSY 727: Substance Use Counseling
7. PSY 815: Internship Seminar I (300 hour)

Internship
Students pursuing internship for licensure will need to meet the BSAS internship standards including supervised clinical work at an addiction site (e.g. a detox unit). Students will need to take a seminar corresponding with the semester in which they complete their internship hours.

Curriculum Map

View the curriculum map HERE.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Understand theoretical and evidence-based concepts, practices, and policies of Addiction and Recovery.
2. Apply knowledge of addiction, treatment, and recovery to issues individuals, families, and communities.
3. Exhibit behavior, skills, and attitudes to meet concerns of multicultural and diverse populations.
4. Effectively communicate knowledge and research findings from the field of addiction.
5. Demonstrate Professional and Ethical Behavior.