Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine Counselor Training
Program Overview
The Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine Counselor Training Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program is designed to prepare students for clinical practice in the field of addiction medicine focusing on seven comprehensive areas of professional practice from the principles of the Association for Addiction Professionals also known as NAADAC:
- Comprehensive treatment admissions, screening, intake processes, and procedures
- Clinical assessment and diagnosis of substance abuse disorders and pathologically addictive behaviors (i.e. gambling, sex, pornography, shopping)
- Treatment planning, case management, discharge, and aftercare
- Clinical counseling services for individuals, groups, families, and crisis intervention
- Client and community education and awareness of addiction behavior
- The legal and ethical practice of addictions treatment
- Professional growth and development; clinical supervision for addiction professionals
Program Mission
The mission of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Substance Abuse and Addiction Medicine Counselor Training is to provide students with advanced, evidence-based education and specialized knowledge needed to prepare for employment as qualified addiction and behavioral health counselors within human services, healthcare, and community organizations.
Through a fully online, NAADAC aligned curriculum, the program equips graduates with the clinical, ethical, and cultural competencies required to address substance use and behavioral addictions across diverse populations.
Recognizing the severe national shortage of licensed substance abuse counselors, the program seeks to meet critical workforce needs not only within Nevada but also in other states to meet licensure alignment by meeting NAADAC curriculum requirements. GBC offers high-quality education and training accessible to working professionals and students nationwide. The program supports the development of a resilient, ethically grounded addiction counseling workforce prepared to respond to the growing challenges of addiction in society.
Program Goals
Graduates with a BAS in Human Services and completion of this Certificate of Achievement will:
- Demonstrate a range of professional counseling skills sufficient to conduct human service and substance abuse counseling interventions.
- Deliver professional services within guidelines of the ethical and professional practice of the human services and substance abuse counseling field, including culturally competent care.
- Demonstrate competencies in comprehensive treatment admissions screening, intake processes and procedures, clinical assessment, diagnosis of substance abuse disorders and pathologically addictive behavior, treatment planning and discharge and aftercare planning.
Learning Outcomes
This program satisfies the education and training requirements in the State of Nevada to be eligible for the following professional licenses:
- Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Intern
- Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor
- Clinical Supervisor for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
- Certified Problem Gambling Counselor
This program satisfies the education and training requirements to pass a written and oral examination concerning the clinical practice of counseling alcohol and drug abusers by the Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drugs, and Gambling.
Program Enrollment Prerequisites
- Completed a four-year baccalaureate program in the social sciences field (human services, psychology, counseling, sociology, nursing, social work, marriage, and family therapy, and closely related disciplines) with a cumulative GPA of 2.85 or
- Hold a master's degree or Ph.D. in the social sciences field (human services, psychology, counseling, sociology, nursing, social work, marriage, and family therapy, and closely related disciplines) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0
Program Requirements
- CPD 116 Substance Abuse: Fundamental Facts and Insights, 3 Credits
- HMS 105 Substance Abuse Counseling Methods, 3 Credits
- HMS 104 Small Group Interaction Techniques, 3 Credits
- HMS 322 Family Integrated Treatment of Addiction Disorders, 3 Credits
- HMS 427 Identification and Assessment in Mental Health and Addictions, 3 Credits
- HMS 439 Gambling Disorders, 4 Credits
- HMS 475 Prevention Strategies in Human Services and Addictions, 3 Credits
- HMS 499 Clinical Supervision for Alcohol and Drug Counselors, 3 Credits
Total Credits: 25
Curriculum
Certificate Program Total - 25
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CPD 116 | Substance Abuse: Fundamental Facts and Insights | 3 |
| HMS 104 | Small Group Interaction Techniques | 3 |
| HMS 105 | Substance Abuse Counseling Media | 3 |
| HMS 499 | Clinical Supervision for Alcohol and Drug Counselors | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HMS 322 | Family Integrated Treatment of Addiction Disorders | 3 |
| HMS 427 | Identifications and Assessments in Mental Health and Addictions | 3 |
| HMS 439 | Gambling Disorders and Behavior Addictions | 4 |
| HMS 475 | Prevention Strategies in Human Services and Addictions | 3 |
| Total | 13 |
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please check with the Nevada Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, and Gambling Counselors (or counselor licensing/certification boards in other states, if applicable) about the acceptability of academic coursework PRIOR to enrolling in any course, as an individual or state licensing and/or certification requirements may vary. Also, check with individual licensing/certification boards before registering for courses to be used for professional continuing education credit.
Schedule an advisement meeting
School of Health Sciences & Behavioral Health
775-327-2317
E-mail: hsbh@gbcnv.edu
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