Major in Psychology, Addictions Counseling Concentration

The Addictions Counseling concentration provides students with an undergraduate degree in psychology while completing the required courses for becoming certified addictions technicians in the state of Colorado. Besides coursework, students are required to complete internship hours at an approved facility. Students who are interested in the clinical/counseling field of psychology, but do not wish to seek an advanced degree in psychology, may find this an attractive concentration.

Learning Objectives

Successful students will:

1. Attain a solid foundation in the natural sciences.
2. Demonstrate strong analytical, mathematical, and statistical skills.
3. Identify, describe, and demonstrate knowledge of the major branches of psychology.
4. Describe, evaluate, and apply methods for conducting research and analyzing data in psychology.
5. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate material from psychology.
6. Demonstrate the ability to write and communicate effectively on topics in psychology.
7. Appraise the diversity, complexity and intersectionality of human experience.
8. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
9. Engage in professional development and lifelong learning.
10. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in counseling psychology and addictions treatment.
11. Develop counseling skills via an internship in which they receive hands-on, supervised experience in an approved facility.
12. Complete the course work necessary for becoming a Certified Addictions Technician (CAT) in the state of Colorado.

Effective Fall 2024

Students must have a C or better in each of the following courses: PSY 100, PSY 192, PSY 210, PSY 250, PSY 252, PSY 311A, PSY 350, the two lecture-lab pairs in psychology (for the AUCC 4A, 4B requirement), and the additional PSY lecture selection from: PSY 315, PSY 370, PSY 452,or PSY 458. 

Maximum of 12 credits allowed toward graduation for any combination of PSY 295, PSY 296,  PSY 384, PSY 484,  PSY 486, PSY 487, PSY 488, PSY 495A-PSY 495F, PSY 496A-PSY 496F, PSY 498A-PSY 498F, PSY 499A-PSY 499F.

¹

MATH 120 may be completed as a substitute for MATH 117, MATH 118, and MATH 124.

²

Select any CS course except CS 192 or variable credit options. Some courses with this prefix will also satisfy the AUCC 3B requirement.

³

Select any PHIL course except variable credit options. Some courses with this prefix will satisfy the AUCC 3B requirement.

⁴

Select any course in category 3C of the AUCC except HONR 492 or any PSY course.

⁵

Select any SPCM course except SPCM 178 and variable credit options. Some courses with this prefix will satisfy the AUCC 3B requirement.

⁶

Students should select a total of two lecture/lab pairs of courses over the junior and senior years. Two pairs are necessary to satisfy AUCC Cat 4A and 4B requirements. 

⁷

Select one 3- to 5-credit course from this list, excluding BZ 101, LIFE 102, BC 192, BZ 192, CHEM 192, CS 192, MATH 192, STAT 192, and variable credit options, that is not counted elsewhere. Acceptable MATH options are MATH 141, MATH 155, MATH 156, MATH 157, MATH 159, MATH 160, MATH 161, MATH 255, MATH 3** (excluding MATH 384) and MATH 4** (excluding MATH 484, MATH 487, MATH 495, MATH 498)

⁸

Select one course from this list, excluding variable credit options, that is not counted elsewhere.

⁹

Select enough elective credits to bring the program to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level). 

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program: Students must have a C or better in each of the following courses: PSY 100, PSY 192, PSY 210, PSY 250, PSY 252, PSY 311A, PSY 350, the two lecture-lab pairs in psychology (for the AUCC 4A, 4B requirement), and the additional PSY lecture selection from: PSY 315, PSY 370, PSY 452, or PSY 458. 

Maximum of 12 credits allowed toward graduation for any combination of PSY 295, PSY 296,  PSY 384, PSY 484,  PSY 486, PSY 487, PSY 488, PSY 495A-PSY 495F, PSY 496A-PSY 496F, PSY 498A-PSY 498F, PSY 499A-PSY 499F.