College of Education and Human Services
School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences
www.kent.edu/ehs/ldes

About This Program

The Addictions Counseling undergraduate certificate program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become a licensed addictions counselor. With hands-on experience and a comprehensive curriculum, students will be equipped to make a positive impact on individuals and communities dealing with addiction. Read more...

Contact Information

• Bryn Oldham | boldham@kent.edu | 330-672-4091
• Speak with an Advisor
  • Kent Campus
  • Trumbull Campus
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • Fully online
  • Mostly online
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus
  • Trumbull Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at Kent State’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students who have not attended another institution since Kent State and were not academically dismissed will complete the re-enrollment process through the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center. Former students who attended another college or university since leaving Kent State must apply for admissions as a transfer or post-undergraduate student.

Transfer Students: Students who attended an educational institution after graduating from high school or earning their GED must apply as transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Students may be required to meet certain criteria to progress in their program. Any progression requirements will be listed on the program's Coursework tab

Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• Students must complete a minimum 16 credit hours of certificate requirements at Kent State University.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Articulate comprehension of a range of models or theories of addiction and evidence-based practices in addictions counseling.
2. Demonstrate at least minimal competence in addictions-related services, including assessment, treatment planning, counseling session facilitation and coordination of care.
3. Apply for licensure as chemical dependency counselors in Ohio.
4. Apply for the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential through the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC).

Admission GPA for Undergraduate Students

For admissions, the College of Education and Human Services considers a student to have established a Kent State University GPA after the student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours.

New Students and Transfer Students: Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours will be evaluated for admission into an academic program, advanced study and the professional phase based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Once a student has successfully completed a minimum of 12 Kent State University credit hours, only the student’s Kent State overall GPA will be considered for admission into a program, advanced study and professional phase. Transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 12 semester credit hours of college-level coursework will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records.

Current Students: Students who have completed 12 or more credit hours of previous college-level coursework — either at Kent State University or at another accredited institution — need an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher to declare a College of Education and Human Services major, minor or certificate unless a higher minimum GPA is specified by the program.

The following degree programs require a minimum 2.750 overall GPA for current students who have an established GPA to declare a major:

• American Sign Language/English Interpreting
• Early Childhood Education
• Integrated Language Arts
• Integrated Mathematics
• Integrated Science
• Integrated Social Studies
• Middle Childhood Education
• Physical Education, Health and Sport Exploration (only Health and Physical Education concentration or Physical Education Licensure concentration)
• Special Education

Full Description

The Addictions Counseling undergraduate certificate prepares students with all the requisite training hours for licensure eligibility as a chemical dependency counselor in Ohio, issued by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. The certificate supplements existing Kent State health and behavioral health degree programs, such as psychology, health education, and human development and family science. The certificate also allows in-career professionals to specialize in addictions counseling (e.g., nurses, clergy, rehabilitation counselors, mental health therapists). Successful completion of the first course in the certificate provides students the opportunity to apply for the chemical dependency counselor assistant (CDCA) credential from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.

Course content includes theories and models of addiction and addictive behaviors; pharmacology (i.e., review of substances typically misused, as well as medications used to treat symptoms of substance use disorders); screening and diagnostic assessment of substance use and co-occurring disorders; case conceptualization and treatment planning using the American Society of Addiction Medicine criteria; evidence-based practices in addictions (e.g., motivational interviewing, contingency management); and legal and ethical considerations in addictions counseling.

Experiential training is infused throughout the curriculum (e.g., use of simulated clients) and culminates in a practicum in the field at an approved behavioral healthcare facility offering addictions services under the supervision of an approved licensed behavioral healthcare provider.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.