The Master of Addiction Counseling in Psychology is designed to provide students the education needed to become a licensed addiction counselor. With this degree and licensure, graduates are able to enter the workforce as treatment providers for those struggling with substance use and substance use disorders. The program is structured as one year of course work and one year of internship in order to satisfy state requirements for certification and licensure.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
The Program will prepare students to work as Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) in the State of Colorado, or as Licensed Addiction Counselors (LAC), either in private practice or addiction treatment centers nationwide. Typical responsibilities for LAC Counselors include:
- Providing treatment for substance use disorders and behavioral addictions through either individual or group therapy.
- Providing training and supervision for CAT and CAS counselors.
- Providing community outreach, informing the public of what treatment options are available and what the impacts of addictive disorders are on public health.
All courses are designed to embody emerging principles in Addiction Counseling as set forth by the field, the Behavioral Health Administration, and the Department of Regulatory Agencies (both part of the Colorado Department of Human Services). Courses will provide critical core knowledge, and will map onto the coursework and training experiences required by OBH and DORA so that graduates will be eligible to sit for licensure exams upon completion of the Master’s in Addiction Counseling Program.
Effective Fall 2022
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| PSY 612 | Introduction to Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 675 | Ethics and Professional Psychology Practice | 3 |
| PSY 724 | Motivational Interviewing | 3 |
| PSY 726 | Neuropharmacology of Addiction | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY 613 | Advanced Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 620 | Addiction Counseling Concepts | 4 |
| PSY 775 | Diversity Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 793 | Clinical Supervision of Addiction Counseling | 3 |
| Total Credits | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| PSY 787 | Internship | 9 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PSY 787 | Internship | 9 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 43 | |
A minimum of 43 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |