Endorsed by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board
Compassionate faculty with an emphasis on human dignity
Ensuring a high-quality education
and practical training
Specialize to Help Clients Conquer Chemical Dependency
Gain essential knowledge through Walsh University’s flexible, online Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling program to enhance your online Clinical Mental Health Counseling or School Counseling degree. Or enter the program to better assist clients in your current profession. Endorsed by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board, this program is beneficial for counselors, nurses, therapists, or any healthcare professionals working with at-risk populations. You can be part of the solution, helping to address Ohio’s high drug overdose death rate. Ohio has the second highest rate of death due to drug overdose (46.3 per 100,000 people), and addictions to opioids, heroin, fentanyl and carfentanil, as well as overdoses, continue to rise. The Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network has reported an increase in meth usage in the Akron-Canton area.
The chemical dependency certificate program prepares you with evidence-based practice, assessment, and treatment plans for addictions counseling.
- 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.
Fast Facts
- Fully online/no campus visits required
- 1:1 faculty guidance
- Cost per credit hour - $775
- 3-5 classes
- 9-15 credit hours
- 3 starts per year (Fall, Spring and Summer)
- Practice in Ohio
Admissions Requirements
- Completed application
- Master's degree from an accredited institution
- Proof of internship experience and licensure
- Resume
- Faculty interview
Walsh University Honored as National 2023-2024 College of Distinction and Ohio College of Distinction
Recognized as a College of Distinction for Ohio universities, Catholic universities, and overall for 2023-2024
Online Chemical Dependency Certificate Program Curriculum
Below is the full list of courses you will take while enrolled in the online Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate program.
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.
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 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.
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).
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Applications are currently being accepted for next intake
Counseling Careers Outlook
The US Department of Labor reports the salary range for a substance abuse counselor to be $31,300 to $63,850 in Ohio.
Ohioans are in desperate need of treatment providers due to drug use and overdose, the second highest in the country; therefore, there is a strong demand for qualified substance use counselors in Ohio.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the projected job growth for Substance Abuse Counselors is much faster than average at 23%, nationwide.
Online Counseling Programs: Internship/Practicum Site and Support
Walsh is committed to your academic success and as such, provides field experience support resources at no additional cost. Our placement team works with you directly to help you connect with internship/practicum sites in your area. In addition, we assign you a dedicated Student Support Advisor who assists and guides you in your educational journey from enrollment to graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Walsh University will accept up to 9 credit hours as transfer credits.
Students can expect to dedicate roughly 10 to 15 hours a week of homework and study in addition to their class hours.
To ensure vital, hands-on experiences, students are required to complete field hours at a pre-approved location. During this practicum, students will work alongside a counselor and gain real-world insights into the profession.
Yes, students may complete their practicum where they are currently employed as long as the location is approved by both the director and the practicum supervisor.
Each student is assigned to a dedicated Student Support Advisor who assists and guides them in their educational journey from enrollment to graduation.
