Center City, Minn. (July 13, 2006) -- The Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies will undergo a comprehensive evaluation visit Nov. 6-8 by a team representing the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Hazelden Graduate School is seeking accreditation as an institution of higher learning from the Higher Learning Commission in order to expand opportunities for its students and gain recognition for the advanced level of education it provides.

"The school's mission is to educate future leaders in addiction counseling, as reflected in our mission statement," said Tim Sheehan, PhD, chief academic officer and dean of the school. "Education has always played an important role at Hazelden, and the school's mission builds on the organization's strong legacy of educating alcohol and drug counselors."

The Hazelden Graduate School has been engaged in a self-study to address the Higher Learning Commission's requirements and criteria for accreditation. The evaluation team will visit the institution to gather evidence that the self-study is thorough and accurate. The team will recommend to the Commission a continuing status for the school. Following a review process, the Commission will take action and determine if the school is ready to advance from the "candidacy phase" of accreditation to the actual "initial accreditation."

The public is invited to submit comments regarding the school to:

Public Comment on Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504

Comments are due to the Commission no later than one month before the date that the visit is scheduled, or by Oct. 5. Comments should include the name and address of the person(s) providing the comment and must be in writing and signed.

Attaining accreditation is sought to broaden the graduates' access to licensing exams in clinical professional counseling now available in 46 states. In addition, after Higher Learning Commission accreditation is achieved, the school can seek other sources of program accreditation. Since 2000, the Graduate School programs have had continuous accreditation from the Wisconsin Certification Board, a body that accredits programs preparing students for alcohol and drug dependency counseling.

"With accreditation as an institution of higher learning, the Graduate School will have the credibility it deserves as a broad-based academic program preparing counselors for careers as professionals in the field of addiction treatment," said Ellen Breyer, CEO and president of Hazelden. "During a time when patients and health care are increasingly complex, the Graduate School is filling a need in the addiction field for professionals who are prepared to meet these challenges."

Breyer is the president of the Graduate School, while Sheehan as dean is responsible and accountable for the school's performance. The Hazelden Foundation Board of Trustees governs the Graduate School and has organized an eight-member Board of Governors to oversee all aspects of the school. The Board of Governors is represented by two Hazelden Foundation trustees and six members with significant experience in higher education.

Hazelden's commitment to sharing its knowledge and providing addiction training dates to its inception in 1949. Counselor training began in the early 1960s, when new counselors received on-the-job training. From that time on it grew steadily in sophistication, from workshops for new counselors in 1968 to a formal counselor training curriculum in 1971. In the 1990s, it became clear to Hazelden leaders that employment and professional trends indicated the need for addiction counselors educated with an even broader base of knowledge and a wide repertoire of skills. As a result, establishing an institution of higher learning became an organizational priority and planning began for the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies, which admitted its first class in 1999. The Graduate School has enjoyed steady growth since then, with 31 students taking part in commencement ceremonies in 2005 and 37 expected in August 2006.

For more information please call 800-257-7810, ext. 4175, or visit the Graduate School online.