Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling
Specialize to help others conquer chemical dependency
Walsh University’s online Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling is meant to prepare you to assess, treat and support individuals suffering from chemical dependency to address the increasing number of clients experiencing substance use and alcohol dependency. This certificate can be added onto your online master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling degree (coming soon) for further specialization. It can also be completed apart from those degrees to give yourself an additional tool to help your current client population.
This online chemical dependency certificate program will prepare you with evidence-based practice, assessment, and treatment plans for addictions counseling.
This program will prepare you with the ability to:
- Identify models and theories of addiction, the effects of addiction on individuals, and differentiate addiction from other medical/psychological conditions.
- Utilize the dynamics and components of group therapy with diverse, addicted populations.
- Apply theories, models, and techniques of assessing/treating dysfunctional relationships.
- Gain an understanding of pharmacology of drugs of abuse, drugs used in detoxification, and the treatment of addiction and mental/emotional disorders.
- Use models and methods for addiction prevention, needs assessment, and intervention strategies.
- Help clients through treatment planning and relapse prevention, utilizing treatment strategies for individual needs/characteristics.
This course emphasizes illness prevention, health life style adaptations, wellness promotion and health maintenance of adult clients, including health/wellness motivation and promotion, disease prevention, and pro-activeness and self-determination. Socio-economic influences on wellness are also elements of this course. Research guidelines, and evidence based practice will be utilized to enhance the students learning and clinical education, including clinical procedural, diagnostic, and treatment skills. (100 clinical hours).
This course provides didactic and clinical experiences to prepare the advanced practice nurse to provide primary and episodic care to the pediatric population, from birth through adolescence. Emphasis is on the integration of theory, development, health promotion, disease prevention, and clinical decision making. Didactic content and clinical address comprehensive diagnosis and management of common health problems, appropriate diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, therapeutic interventions for pediatric patients and families. Management and promotion of health, treatment of acute episodic health problems and stable, chronic illness in the continuum of infants through adolescence is the focus of the clinical application in a variety of health care venues. The course has a strong focus on providing culturally competent care to achieve health promotion, disease prevention, and the care of underserved, vulnerable populations. (100 clinical hours).
- Fully online/no campus visits required
- 3 to 5 courses
- 9-15 credit hours
- 220 internship hours (possible transfer credit)
- 3 starts per year (Fall, Spring and Summer)
- 1:1 faculty guidance
- Values-based education
- Practice in Ohio
- Applications are currently being accepted for next intake
- Completed application
- Master's degree from an accredited institution
- Proof of internship experience and licensure
- Resume
- Faculty interview
This course presents theories, principles and skills in assessing, promoting, and maintaining the health of women across the lifespan, with a focus on the gynecologic and reproductive health needs of women. Management of common health problems is included. Clinical experiences will focus on competency in the evidence-based management of women’s health. (100 clinical hours). –
Our Financial Aid Office is committed to working with you. We also award aid based on need. Tuition for Walsh University’s online graduate programs varies depending on the number of credits required to complete the degree. The cost per credit hour is $745 for this program. To calculate tuition for your degree program or to discuss your financial aid options, schedule an appointment or contact an enrollment advisor today at 888.899.4046.
As a student, you will benefit from an exceptional learning experience from a reputable, values-focused university. The Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling program is accredited by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
Walsh University is recognized as a College of Distinction for Ohio universities, Catholic universities, and Overall for 2020–2021. U.S. News & World Report ranked us #58 in Best Value Schools Midwest, and #39 in Regional Universities Midwest.
This course focuses on the intricacies and interrelationships between disease processes, human physiology, and pharmacologic and other treatment modalities inherent in the care of the adult or elderly patient with multiple chronic healthcare conditions (MCC). (150 clinical hours).
Walsh University opened its doors in North Canton, OH, on November 17, 1960. Founded and operated by the Brothers of Christian Instruction, whose beginnings date back to France following the French Revolution. Walsh University grew from humble beginnings to a thriving campus community.
Today, Walsh is a Catholic liberal arts university that has grown to encompass more than 2600 students and 16,000 alumni. Our North Canton campus sprawls over 130 acres, and we offer more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. Through Walsh University’s online degree completion program, we also educate students virtually from anywhere in the world.
A Values-Based Education
As a Catholic university that welcomes students of all faiths, Walsh is dedicated to developing the whole person. Like our courageous, hard-working, and faithful founders, you will be prepared to lead in service to others. Evolve as a well-rounded individual through meaningful relationships within a diverse community of faculty, students, and mentors.
This course serves as the capstone experience for the FNP program and synthesizes all material from previous FNP courses. In addition, this course will explore legal and governing issues that impact advance practice. Didactic and clinical experiences promote transition into practice. This course requires 200 clinical hours. –
As you near the completion of your coursework, our site placement team will begin working with you to find sites to complete the internship hours within your own community at no additional cost. You will also benefit from a student success advisor who supports you from enrollment through graduation.
Employment
Graduates who possess an addictions counseling certificate are prepared to enter a field where they will impact lives. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected as people continue to seek addiction and mental health counseling services.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $46,240 in May 2019. The highest 10% earned more than $76,080.
Demand
Nearly 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder, driving the demand for specialized counselors. Especially in the state of Ohio, substance use counselors are needed to manage clients’ chemical dependency issues, address myriad underlining mental health disorders that may cause addiction and provide support and self-care strategies that can navigate clients through treatment plans and recovery.
This course focuses on the inter-relationships of human biological systems, biochemical, genetic and cellular concepts which provide the framework for study of advanced pathological concepts. Case studies illustrate theoretical concepts and assist in the application of theory to practice.
This course provides the basis for pharmacotherapeutics and fundamental therapeutic management guidelines for treatment of select disease processes, drug information by classification, and principles of pharacodynamics and pharmacokenetics. Clinical application, adverse reactions and patient and population education implications are presented. Use of schedule II controlled substance in drug therapy, recent guidelines and recommendations on pain management, fiscal and ethical implications of prescribing schedule II controlled substances, prevention of abuse and diversion of schedule II controlled substances, and state and federal laws regarding controlled substances will be reviewed..
This course builds on the students’ knowledge and skills of basic health assessment and provides a foundation for the advanced nurse to evaluate the health of individuals across the lifespan. Theory and research based methodologies and skills will be incorporated to assist students in the comprehensive assessment of individuals including advanced communication skills such as clinical interviewing and focused history taking; psychosocial and physical assessment, critical diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making. Interpretation of data for the purpose of differentiating normal from abnormal findings as well as for recognition of potential and/or actual health problems will be addressed.
This course builds on the students’ knowledge and skills of Advanced Health Assessment focusing on the diagnostic process within the primary care context. Evidence-based practice will be incorporated to assist students through the inductive process of moving from specific physical findings or patient concerns to possible diagnoses based on history, physical, and laboratory and diagnostic tests. Students will be expected to synthesize diagnostic information in order to arrive at appropriate diagnoses.
Clinical pharmacology builds upon NURS 612 Advanced Pharmacology. Specific requirements, responsibilities, interprofessionalism, and concerns as an APN prescriber, including safe prescription writing and medication management of patients throughout the life span, including persons with multiple chronic conditions (MCC), will be comprehensively reviewed.
Course presents the biopsychosocial approach to the etiology, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders and addictive behaviors. Includes application of counseling theories and techniques in chemical dependency counseling as well as an overview of treatment stages and environments. Examines the impact of addiction on the family and the role of self-help groups in the recovery process. This is an intermediate level course. Possible transfer credit.
Theories and practice of addiction focuses on knowledge and skills needed for the development and implementation of theories of addiction counseling, treatment approaches and procedures, prevention, and recovery maintenance in the addictions field. Emphasis is placed on selection and utilization evidence-based practice.
Essential Skills; held on campus (Must be completed prior to the start of clinicals).
Advanced Skills/Professional Practice; held on campus (Must be completed during FNP IV).
This course focuses on the conceptual framework for the use of assessment tools as they relate to the assessment and development of treatment planning for substance use and other addiction disorders. Signs, symptoms, and patterns of use will be examined, as well as psych-social and family dynamics. This course will assist clinicians in identifying strategies for screening and assessing clients and development of effective treatment plans.
This course explores the determinants and distribution of health and illness; application of epidemiological principles and biostatistics to advanced nursing practice and health care delivery. Nurse executives and clinical nurse leaders are provided the conceptual orientation and the knowledge of techniques from epidemiology to design, manage, and evaluate nursing and health care delivery systems which are focused on populations. The epidemiologic approach along with evidence based practice serves as the basis for analysis and application of the theory and skills needed to assess, plan and evaluate the care of populations within integrated healthcare systems. Cultural, ethical, and organizational factors impacting at-risk populations are explored.
This course focuses on advanced theories and techniques in family, relationship and group counseling specific to psychoactive substance abuse and addiction, assessments, dysfunctional relationships, family systems, effects of growth and development, group dynamics, diversity ad facilitation, pharmacology of both drugs of abuse as well as detoxification and treatment of addiction and mental/emotional disorders, drug tolerance, sensation/perception and legal/ethical issues in pharmacology.
Mental Health professionals:
CHD 792 Addictions Counseling Internship (220 hours) – Designed as the capstone of addictions counseling training, this is a performance-based course in which students must demonstrate their competence in diagnosis and treatment planning in an approved addictions/clinical setting (clinic, private practice, hospital, etc.). Emphasis is on the application of academic training and skills with clients. Evaluation of demonstrated skills is made through close supervision by an on-site supervisor and the instructor. Prerequisites: CHD 642, 643, 644. Possible transfer credit.
Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students:
CHD 796 I & CHD 796 II (600 hours) – Designed as the capstone of clinical training, these are performance-based courses in which students must demonstrate their competence in diagnosis and treatment planning in an approved clinical setting (clinic, private practice, hospital, etc.). Emphasis is on the application of academic training and skills with clients. Evaluation of demonstrated skills is made through close supervision by an on-site supervisor and the instructor. Students pursuing the Certificate in Addictions Counseling will be expected to secure an internship placement that meets the requirement of the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (i.e. 220 hours of direct counseling work at an internship site accredited to provide chemical dependency counseling services).
Students will explore healthcare technology and data management concepts, theories, legal and ethical implications, and application within the healthcare environment. Critical issues affecting the development and implementation of healthcare technologies (clinical, administrative, and learning), knowledge management principles, and professional practice trends will be analyzed. Students will apply new knowledge, manage individual and aggregate level information, and assess the efficacy of healthcare technology appropriate to their area of practice.