The Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling is a graduate course of study designed to provide a broad base of knowledge and skill to address the complexities of addiction treatment and recovery across the continuum of care. The Graduate School offers courses focusing on individual and group counseling, research, multicultural counseling, mental health complications and adolescent development.

Overview

• 44 credit program (see course outline below)
• Additional elective courses available*
• Full-time one-year program
• Part-time two year program
• Full and part-time student enrollment accepted each semester
• Offered at Hazelden's campus in Center City, Minnesota.  Not available through distance learning.

Licensure
Graduates of the Master of Arts and Certificate in Addiction Counseling meet requirements for licensure in Minnesota for alcohol and drug dependency counseling. In addition, graduates are eligible for initial certification in most states.

*Students may elect to complete additional coursework in vocational adjustment, life span development, and clinical practice in order to pursue licensure in Minnesota as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Full-time students interested in these elective courses will need to extend their program plan one semester. Extra semester course outline.

Admissions Criteria

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent, as pertinent for international students
• Two years' freedom from chemical use problems, including the use of maintenance drugs, prior to clinical process courses.
• English proficiency. An applicant who does not speak English as a first language is required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)--with a score of 213 or more on the computer-based test, or 550 on the written test. Since the test is given on a limited basis each year, and preregistration is required, the student should allow sufficient time for the results to be included with the enrollment application. 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.
• It is preferred that applicants have:
  • Prior personal or professional knowledge of addiction and recovery
  • Some prior educational and/or clinical experience in alcohol and drug dependency or human services
  • Basic computer skills (i.e. Power Point/Word)

Full-time course outline

Graduate School of Addiction Studies - main page

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