What is the Specialization in Addictions?

A common misconception is that professional mental health and addictions counselors are only prepared to work with clients struggling with addiction, and are therefore limited in the services they can provide. On the contrary, students who graduate from the Professional Mental Health Counseling—Specialization in Addictions program are trained to work effectively and professionally with all mental health clients, including those with addiction problems and those without. They are also uniquely trained to work with co-occurring disorders common to all treatment contexts. 

Combined preparation for professional mental health treatment and co-occurring addiction problems.

Completing a master’s degree in Professional Mental Health Counseling—Specialization in Addictions meets the educational requirements in pursuit of licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) and certification in drug and alcohol counseling (CADC-I).

Students who graduate from the Professional Mental Health Counseling—Specialization in Addictions program are trained to work effectively and professionally with all mental health clients, including those with addiction problems and those without.

What kind of places do graduates of the program work after completing the program?

Our students go on to a wide variety of clinical contexts including community mental health, inpatient/outpatient addiction recovery services, private practice, hospital and healthcare clinics, schools, and outpatient clinics. There is a growing demand for competent dually trained mental health and addictions counselors.