Addiction and Substance-Use Related Disorders (Graduate Certificate)
Build specialized expertise in addiction and substance use disorders through graduate coursework in assessment, treatment, recovery and evidence-based practice. Complete a flexible, fully online graduate certificate designed for aspiring professionals, graduate students and working clinicians.
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Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Addiction and Substance-Use Related Disorders certificate description
Addiction and substance abuse is one of America's top public health problems, and there is a growing need for well-trained addictions counselors.
In the graduate certificate program in addiction and substance-use related disorders, you explore state-of-the-art research and learn from internationally recognized experts in addictions with clinical expertise of licensed psychologists and licensed substance abuse counselors who have decades of experience providing substance abuse treatment.
This program is valuable if you are in counseling, social work, psychology, medicine and various fields of therapy that provide services to individuals and families suffering from addiction and substance use disorders.
The addiction certificate program meets all the curricular requirements of the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners for licensure in substance abuse counseling as well as most national and state certification requirements.
Why earn an addiction and substance-use related disorders graduate certificate at ASU?
Earn focused, graduate-level training in addiction science and evidence-based treatment without committing to a full master's degree. Rather than emphasizing theory alone, as many addiction-related certificate programs do, ASU's curriculum helps you turn scientific knowledge into practical approaches you can apply in behavioral health, healthcare and community settings. If you later pursue the ASU online Master of Science in addiction psychology, your certificate coursework may count toward the degree, opening a flexible pathway for continued graduate study.
You also study within ASU's Department of Psychology, a nationally recognized leader in psychological science, clinical training and community impact. The department is home to the Clinical Psychology Center, which has provided psychological assessment and therapy to Arizona communities since 1959 while serving as a training environment for future mental health professionals and to the Reach Institute, a nationally recognized center that translates psychological research into programs that strengthen child, family and community well-being.
Additional details
Beyond the classroom, you can connect through a student-led organization that fosters connection among graduate students while supporting mentorship, professional growth and public engagement. For decades, Reach Institute researchers have developed and evaluated prevention and intervention programs that have improved mental health, parenting outcomes and long-term resilience for thousands of families.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
21 credit hours
Required Core (18 credit hours) Other Requirements (3) Additional Curriculum Information PSY 591 can be substituted with approval of the academic unit.
PSY 570 Psychopharmacology (3)
PSY 601 Addiction and Substance Abuse: Assessment and Diagnosis (3)
PSY 602 Comorbidity in Substance Use Related Problems (3)
PSY 603 Evidence-Based Interventions for Substance Use Related Problems (3)
PSY 604 Multicultural Issues Related to Substance Use Related Problems (3)
PSY 605 Group Therapy for Substance Use-Related Problems (3)
PSY 591 Topic: Ethics (3)
For students interested in pursuing licensure in substance abuse counseling, this graduate certificate meets all seven of the core content curricular requirements for the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. In addition, the program is in compliance with national certification curriculum guidelines.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Develop a comprehensive treatment plan using biopsychosocial assessment techniques in final course projects.
- Develop resolutions to ethical and legal dilemmas that occur in clinical practice.
Develop a comprehensive treatment plan using biopsychosocial assessment techniques in final course projects. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any health, behavioral health or counseling-related field from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an international institution that is officially recognized by its country. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | Rolling* | |
| Session B | Online | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | Rolling* | |
| Session B | Online | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master's degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this addiction and substance-use related disorders graduate certificate prepares you for
Substance abuse counseling can be incredibly rewarding, and the field offers a wide variety of experiences. Jobs are available in substance abuse treatment centers; community mental health agencies; primary care, integrated health and criminal justice facilities; hospitals; schools and universities; and military and veterans affairs centers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects employment of substance abuse counselors to grow 17% between 2024 and 2034, much faster than other occupations. Job prospects are expected to be very good for counselors who are licensed.
Career examples include:
- addiction counselor
- licensed addiction counselor
- licensed substance abuse counselor
- substance abuse counselor
- substance abuse technician
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
Department of Psychology
|
PSY 201
addictioncert@asu.edu
480-727-4561
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
