Masters Degrees

Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling—Addictions

Program Details

Credits: 64 semester hours
Program Length: 8 semesters (part-time and full-time study available)*
Program Start: Summer, fall, or spring
View program of study in current course catalog
Program Director: Boyd Pidcock, Ph.D., pidcock@lclark.edu

Students completing this Master of Arts degree program are prepared to pursue certification as drug and alcohol counselors and also as Licensed Professional Counselors or other master’s level certification as mental health counselors. This preparation is recognized in Oregon and most other states in the U.S.

There is a growing shortage of counselors prepared with graduate-level knowledge and skills in addictions treatment. One in ten adults in the U.S. is addicted to alcohol or drugs according to the best existing research. Drug and alcohol abuse is a critical risk for teenagers. Child abuse, domestic violence, and criminal activity are common with the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Affected families suffer in many ways. Professionals in mental health, medicine, and public schools are awakening to the need to work together to prevent people of all ages from abusing drugs and alcohol and to provide effective treatment.

Master of Science Option

Program Details

Credits: Minimum of 70 semester hours
No direct admission is available for this program (see below)
Thesis project required
View program of study in current course catalog

There is also a Master of Science option for the Professional Mental Health Counseling—Addictions program. The M.S. curriculum is for students who have interest and potential in psychological research. Students must first be accepted into the M.A. concentration. Admission to the M.S. concentration requires that the student be active, successfully complete CPSY 530 Research Methods and Statistics I with a grade of B or better, complete CPSY 531 Research Methods and Statistics II, present a preliminary research proposal, secure the commitment of a faculty adviser to chair a thesis committee, have a defined timeline for completion of the project, and have formally applied to the M.S. program. Full admission is granted when the faculty approves a proposal that meets these criteria.