Addiction Studies (BS) | Office | Website

The Addiction Studies program educates students in the knowledge and skills required to provide prevention, assessment, referral and treatment services for individuals and families who suffer from addictive disorders. The curriculum places major emphasis on chemical addictions while exploring the broader range of addictive behaviors. The interplay of mental illness and addiction is a focus as well. The program is interdisciplinary, including courses in the behavioral and physical sciences, the humanities as well as addiction studies. The practical experience of the internship is an important part of the curriculum.

Students can conveniently pursue the Bachelor of Science or the Undergraduate Certificate on a part-time or a fulltime basis. Transfer credit will shorten the program. Courses are scheduled evenings and weekends to accommodate the working student.

The B.S. curriculum satisfies the prerequisites for the M.A. in Addictions Counseling or Agency Counseling and for the M.A. in Clinical Psychology at UDM. Both the B.S. and the Undergraduate Certificate meet the education and internship requirements for the Certified Addictions Counselor credential (CAC) awarded by the State of Michigan.

Program Requirements

Program Recommendation

Internship Sites
Over 30 substance abuse prevention, referral, and treatment agencies throughout Southeast Michigan and Southern Ontario are affiliated with the University for field placements in Addiction Studies.

Continued Matriculation/ Graduation Requirements

• A. A grade of "C" must be earned in all courses required for the major. An overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained.
• B. Students recovering from addiction who experience a failure in abstinence while in the program will be expected to demonstrate two years sobriety once again in order to continue matriculation and to graduate.

Minor In Addiction Studies
This curriculum is intended for two types of undergraduate students: 1) those who are majoring in one of the helping professions, such as Psychology, Social Work or Human Services and hope to improve their employment options without a graduate degree by adding expertise in Addiction Studies; 2) those who are pursuing a degree in an area somewhat removed from the helping professions, such as Health Services Administration, where knowledge and expertise in addictions and recovery is a helpful adjunct. Because of the education and professional training the student brings to the program from his or her major it is possible to provide a curriculum of course work and field experience in Addiction Studies totaling 21 credit hours that prepares the student to work effectively on behalf of those adversely affected by addictive disorders.

Addictions Counseling Certification
The State of Michigan sponsors the Certified Addictions Counselor credential (CAC). It is strongly recommended in this state and many others that any professional who counsels chemically dependent clients have this certification. The Minor in Addiction Studies provides all the educational and internship hours required for the CAC. should the graduate choose to apply for it. Additional requirements (examination and clinical hours) are the responsibility of the graduate.

Admission Requirements

• 1. Admission to undergraduate studies at UDM.
• 2. Declaration of a major which would interface effectively with the minor.
• 3. Interview with Addiction Studies program director of designated faculty member.
• 4. Filing of program application accompanied by a statement of career goals.

Curriculum
The Curriculum has three components: