Overview

• 482 hours of academic learning and 1,096 hours of clinical practice
• Appropriate for those seeking entry-level counseling positions as well as for those with related advanced degrees seeking credentials in addiction counseling
• Full and part-time student enrollment accepted each semester
• Offered at Hazelden's campus in Center City, Minnesota. Not available through distance learning.

Admission Criteria

• Two years of freedom from chemical use is required prior to clinical process courses
• Two years post-secondary education with a minimum of 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits or 900 semester hours
• Prior knowledge of addiction treatment and recovery. Experience is preferred in a Twelve Step program such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Overeaters Anonymous, Emotions Anonymous
• English proficiency. If English is not your primary language, you may be required to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and obtain a score of at least 550 on the written test or 213 on the computer-based test. A TOEFL score is not required if the applicant has a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or if the student has completed a bachelor's degree or higher in English in another country, as evidenced by an official transcript in English
• Minimum computer standards are required prior to admission

Course outlines

• full-time 
• part-time

Semester schedule examples for full-time enrollment

• Winter 
• Summer
• Fall 

Licensure
Graduates of the Certificate in Addiction Counseling program meet requirements for licensure in Minnesota for alcohol and drug dependency counseling. As of July 1, 2008, candidates for Minnesota licensure must hold a bachelor's degree. Licensing requirements vary from state to state. It is the candidate's responsibility to check licensing requirements in his or her respective state.

Undergraduate Credits

Graduate School of Addiction Studies - main page

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