Specialization in Addictions Masters Degrees

Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions

Program Details

Credits: 62 semester hours
Program Length: 9 semesters (part-time and full-time study available)*
Program Start: Fall only
View program of study in current course catalog
View application requirements and deadlines
Program Co-Directors: Alexia de León, PhD and Justin D. Henderson, PhD

The Master of Arts in Professional Mental Health Counseling - Specialization in Addictions thoroughly integrates preparation for addictions counseling with general mental health/community counseling. Students completing this master of arts degree program are prepared to pursue licensure as licensed professional counselors (LPC) and certification as drug and alcohol counselors (CADC-I). This preparation is recognized in Oregon and most other states in the U.S. For more information on accreditation and licensure information, see this page.

We also offer specific coursework that prepares students to work with clients who have alcohol and drug addiction, disordered eating, and problem gambling. More information here.

Master of Science Option

Program Details

Credits: Minimum of 66 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—Specialization in Addictions program. The MS curriculum is for students who have a strong interest and potential in psychological research. Students must first be accepted into the MA concentration. Admission to the MS 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 MS program. Full admission is granted when the faculty approves a proposal that meets these criteria.

Advising and Contact Information

Students take courses from both full-time faculty and also from adjunct faculty. Most of our adjunct faculty are practitioners who teach particular courses based on their specialized experience and their commitment to teaching the next generation of professional mental health providers. To schedule appointments with advisors or coordinators call 503-768-6060. General inquiries for the program co-directors can be sent to ccdirector@lclark.edu.

Faculty Advisors and Clinical Coordinators

PMHCA Program Co-Directors and Clinical Coordinators:
Justin D. Henderson, PhD, justinhenderson@lclark.edu, 503-768-6092
Alexia de León, PhD, alexiadeleon@lclark.edu, 503-768-6066

Program Faculty:
Cort Dorn-Medeiros, PhD, dorn-medeiros@lclark.edu, 503-768-6147
Rafe McCullough, PhD, rafemccullough@lclark.edu, 503-768-6144
Carol Doyle, PhD, cdoyle@lclark.edu, 503-768-6067
Jeffrey Christensen, PhD, jchristensen@lclark.edu, 503-768-6071
Stella Kerl-McClain, PhD, sbk@lclark.edu, 503-768-6077
Amy Rees, PhD, arees@lclark.edu, 503-768-6074

Adjunct Faculty

Charles Dickerman, MA, LMFT, CADC I; Mark Douglass, MA, LPC, CADC I; Margaret Eichler, PhD; James Gurule, MA; Meg Jeske, MA, LPC; Antonia Mueller, MS, LPC; Tanya Prather, PhD; Sally Rasmussen, MA, LPC; Richard Rosenberg, PhD; Suzanne Schmidt, MS; Julianna Vermeys, MA

Note: Additional adjunct faculty teach courses in other programs. Many of those courses can be taken for elective credit by Professional Mental Health Counseling students.

Forms and Documents

Forms for current students