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Funding Available

There is currently additional funding available for students taking Addiction Studies courses! Click here for more information.

This is a 25-credit course that provides students with an in-depth understanding of substance use disorders, and the individuals and communities it affects. Completing the certificate and 300 internship hours allows students to become a Substance Use Disorders Associate (SUDA) certified by the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). With the addition of a Bachelor’s degree, students are eligible for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through IBADCC. The knowledge and skills learned in this course will provide competency in addressing addiction-related issues for those in health professions and beyond. 

Important:

Eligibility for the ADC or SUDA certifications through the Idaho Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC) includes the coursework offered through Idaho State University and a minimum requirement of internship hours, not offered through Idaho State University, working directly with substance abusing clients. Additional ADC/SUDA certification eligibility criteria is available on the IBADCC website.

Have questions? Let us know!

Department of Community and Public Health

dcph@isu.edu

(208)282-2729

Lisa Salazar- Advisor and Clinical Assistant Professor

lisasalazar@isu.edu

(208) 282-3135

Cindy Hansen - Advisor and Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor

cynthiahansen@isu.edu

(208) 251-1787

Online Undergraduate Certificate

This is a 25-credit course that provides students with an in-depth understanding of substance use disorders, and the individuals and communities it affects. Completing the certificate and 300 internship hours allows students to become a Substance Use Disorders Associate (SUDA) certified by the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). With the addition of a Bachelor’s degree, students are eligible for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through IBADCC. The knowledge and skills learned in this course will provide competency in addressing addiction-related issues for those in health professions and beyond. 

Career Development and Professional Growth

Idaho is facing a significant shortage of counselors, particularly those specializing in substance use disorders. Our certificate program aims to empower students to support communities and states by providing education and training on substance use disorders across various professions. Graduates of this program will be recognized as "specialists" in addictions, enhancing their skills for employers. 

Coursework

Course List
CPH 4450 Introduction to Addictions 3
CPH 4451 Basic Addiction Treatment Skills 3
CPH 4452 Harmful and Illicit Substances 3
CPH 4453 Blood Borne Illness 1
CPH 4454 Addiction within Family Systems 3
CPH 4455 Screening and Assessment of Substance Abuse 3
CPH 4456 Case Management of Substance Abuse 3
CPH 4457 Ethics for Addiction Counselors 3
CPH 4458 Group Skills for Addiction Counselors 3
Total Credits 25

Online Graduate Certificate

This is a 25-credit course that provides students with an in-depth understanding of substance use disorders, and the individuals and communities it affects. Through a series of meticulously curated courses, participants will delve deep into critical areas such as ethical and legal issues in counseling, theories of counseling and psychotherapy, effective interventions, and empirically supported treatment modalities. The coursework is structured to aid in building a solid foundation, enabling students to establish their unique theoretical approach to working with diverse groups, including individuals, couples, and families. Completing the certificate and 300 internship hours allows students to become a Substance Use Disorders Associate (SUDA) certified by the Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). With the addition of a Bachelor’s degree, students are eligible for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through IBADCC. The knowledge and skills learned in this course will provide competency in addressing addiction-related issues for those in health professions and beyond. 

Career Development and Professional Growth

Idaho is facing a significant shortage of counselors, particularly those specializing in substance use disorders. Our certificate program aims to empower students to support communities and states by providing education and training on substance use disorders across various professions. Graduates of this program will be recognized as "specialists" in addictions, enhancing their skills for employers. As students navigate through the program, they will evolve into ethically and spiritually aware behavioral sciences professionals, ready to promote mental health and holistic wellness across diverse populations. This transformation ensures that graduates are well-equipped to provide unwavering support and assistance to people living with addiction.

Key areas of focus include:

  • Tailored counseling strategies for clients struggling with addiction.
  • Holistic case management techniques that emphasize the entirety of the individual’s well-being and promote sustained engagement in treatment.
  • Group counseling methods and the development of essential facilitation skills.
  • Comprehensive understanding of how addiction influences a person’s physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
  • An overview and awareness of pharmacological treatment strategies across various stages of addiction, including withdrawal, ongoing treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention.
  • Utilization of standard screening and assessment tools to identify substance use disorders, process addictions, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
  • Insights into the addictive nature and properties of a range of substances and behaviors.

Coursework

Course List
HE 5550 Introduction to Addictions 3
CPH 4451 Basic Addiction Treatment Skills 3
HE 5543 Substance Use and Misuse in Community and Public Health 3
HE 5553 Blood Borne Illness 1
HE 5554 Addiction w/in Family Systems 3
HE 5555 Screening and Assessment of Substance Use and Misuse 3
HE 5556 Case Management of Substance Use and Misuse 3
HE 5557 Ethics for Addiction Counselors 3
HE 5558 Group Skills for Addiction Counselors 3

Major in Community and Public Health - Addiction Studies Concentration

All students pursuing a Major in Community and Public Health must choose a concentration. Students with an addiction studies concentration are trained with a broad understanding of substance abuse issues as well as specific strategies to prevent/intervene with individuals in a variety of settings. Upon completion of this academic concentration, coupled with 300 internship hours, students are eligible to become Substance Use Disorders Associates (SUDA) certified by The Idaho Board of Alcohol/Drug Counselor Certification (IBADCC). Upon completion of the Addiction Studies Certificate, paired with a 300-hour internship and a Bachelor's degree, students are eligible for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) certification through IBADCC.

CPH 4450 Introduction to Addictions 3
CPH 4451 Basic Addiction Treatment Skills 3
CPH 4452 Harmful and Illicit Substances 3
CPH 4453 Blood Borne Illness 1
CPH 4454 Addiction within Family Systems 3
CPH 4455 Screening and Assessment of Substance Abuse 3
CPH 4456 Case Management of Substance Abuse 3
CPH 4457 Ethics for Addiction Counselors 3
CPH 4458 Group Skills for Addiction Counselors 3
CPH 4490 Practicum in Community and Public Health 4
CPH Electives or Other Approved Electives 2 3

Additional SUDA and ADC Information

Substance Use Disorders Associate

  • The required coursework is offered through ISU
  • A bachelor's degree is not required
  • A 300-hour supervised practicum is required, and not offered through ISU
  • The Substance Use Disorder Associate certificate holder is considered a “trainee” in the State of Idaho
  • The scope of practice is less than an ADC certificate holder
  • Please see the IBADCC website for more eligibility information

Alcohol/Drug Counselor

  • The required coursework is offered through ISU
  • A bachelor's degree is required
  • Three (3) years of work experience is required and not offered through ISU
  • The scope of practice is more than an SUDA, including counseling and treatment planning 
  • Please see the IBADCC website for more eligibility information

This publication/project was supported by Grant 93.959 Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SUBG) American Rescue Plan Act from SAMSHA. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department, HHS, or SAMSHA.

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