Master of Science (MS) in Addiction Studies
School of Counseling and Human Services
The Master of Science in Addiction Studies degree program provides learners with the knowledge, competencies, and skills necessary to become practitioner-scholars in addiction treatment delivery, service coordination, and supervision. The curriculum emphasizes principles of addiction treatment and intervention for individuals and groups and focuses on established standards and ethics of addiction professionals, including awareness and sensitivity to the complex needs of a multicultural society. Successful graduates of this degree program are prepared to pursue positions as addiction professionals in treatment and prevention programs, as well as in general clinical settings where addiction professionals serve as members of a treatment team.
Personal Suitability and Fitness for the Profession
Capella embraces the principles and guidelines set forth by the American Counseling Association (ACA) related to professional counseling programs in that the faculty, training staff, supervisors, and administrators within the MS in Addiction Studies degree program have a professional, ethical, and potentially legal obligation to ensure, insofar as possible, that all learners have the competence to manage professional relationships in an effective and appropriate manner and that they possess the emotional maturity, interpersonal stability, and intellectual judgment required to work with vulnerable populations. Personal suitability and fitness for the profession includes but is not limited to demonstration of sufficient interpersonal and professional competence; self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-evaluation; openness to processes of supervision; and resolution of issues or problems that interfere with professional development or functioning in a satisfactory manner. Throughout the graduate training of each learner, faculty and staff are responsible for educating and assessing learners with regard to their personal suitability and fitness for the profession.
Residency Requirement(s):
One six-day residency. See university policy 3.04.05 Attendance at Residencies, the Residencies page on Campus, and the Residency section, below, for more information. Also see each graduate school's residency courses.
Practicum/Internship Experience Requirement(s):
Minimum of 300 internship hours. See the Practicum/Internship Experience section, below, for more information.
Twelve Required Courses
48 quarter credits
ADD5004 |
Survey of Research in Human Development for Addiction Professionals
This course presents theories of human development and behavior
throughout the lifecycle. Learners examine approaches for researching
human development, including personality and moral development theory.
Learners also focus on the developing person by applying biological,
psychological, and addiction concepts.
Must be taken during the learner’s first quarter. Cannot be
fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
ADD5106 |
Assessment of Addiction
Learners in this course examine the addiction-specific assessment
process and apply assessment principles, measurement constructs, and
testing strategies to evaluate diverse clients with a range of
presenting issues. In addition, learners analyze screening and
assessment results to diagnose substance-use disorders and determine
goals and treatment recommendations. Learners also analyze legal,
ethical, and cultural considerations related to screening and
assessment in addiction treatment. | 4 quarter credits |
ADD5107 |
Principles of Integrated Addiction and Mental Health Treatment
Learners in this course examine diagnostic categories, professional
literature, and current issues associated with an integrated addiction
treatment model. Learners also explore the current Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifications
and diagnostic issues associated with multicultural
populations. | 4 quarter credits |
ADD5217 |
Ethical and Legal Issues in Addiction Treatment
In this course, learners evaluate current legal and ethical
guidelines used in the addiction profession. Learners apply
decision-making models and formulate effective collaboration
strategies used to resolve legal and ethical issues that arise when
working with children, adults, couples, and families. Learners also
analyze how personal belief systems influence addiction professionals’
responses to those issues. | 4 quarter credits |
ADD5336 |
Implications of Addiction Treatment with Diverse Populations
This course is an introduction to the theory and research related to
culturally competent addiction services and social justice advocacy.
Learners consider the characteristics and concerns of diverse
populations as they inform treatment and advocacy practices that
promote optimal wellness and growth for individuals, couples,
families, and groups. Learners also assess the influence of their own
characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs on the counseling process;
examine their roles in promoting social justice at multiple levels;
and evaluate approaches for prevention of addiction issues in a
multicultural society. | 4 quarter credits |
COUN5258 |
Group Therapy and Treatment of Substance-Related and Addictive Behaviors
In this course, learners explore group counseling as an important
aspect of addictions treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention.
Learners develop a personal model of group treatment for
substance-related and addictive disorders that is informed by
counseling and group theories; ethical, legal, and cultural
considerations; and group development models.
For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family
Therapy, MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in
Addictive Behavior graduate certificate learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
COUN5260 |
Theories of Addiction Treatment
Learners in this course investigate the nature of addiction problems,
studying various theories and models of addiction to evaluate the
validity and efficacy of associated treatment approaches. Learners
also utilize critical thinking skills in the application of theory to
therapeutic work with specific populations.
For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy,
MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in Addictive
Behavior graduate certificate learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
COUN5261 |
Interventions for Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Learners in this course investigate current treatment interventions
for substance-related and addictive disorders. In addition, learners
evaluate diagnoses for substance-related and addictive disorders and
apply appropriate treatment. Topics include inpatient and outpatient
treatment options, self-help groups, the use of alternative treatment
modalities, and continuum of care including community resources,
relapse prevention, and recovery planning.
For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy,
MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in Addictive
Behavior graduate certificate learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
COUN5264 |
Contemporary Issues in the Treatment of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
In this course, learners gain and apply the knowledge and skills
needed to pursue a career as an addictions counselor. Learners analyze
the history of addiction treatment as well as approaches to treatment
and examine case management, including continuum of care. Learners
also develop an understanding of ethical considerations, special
populations, and general terminology for the field of addiction treatment.
For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family
Therapy, MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in
Addictive Behavior graduate certificate learners only.
| 4 quarter credits |
In addition, choose one from the following courses:
ADD5945 |
Supervision and Program Management in Addiction Treatment
This course presents an overview of various supervision approaches
and the ways these methods support the development of addiction
professionals. Learners explore addiction treatment issues associated
with training, staff credentials, working with multidisciplinary
staff, and ethics from research and administration perspectives.
Learners also review various methods used to conduct contemporary
addiction research, with particular emphasis on the emerging research
practices and perspectives used for evaluating substance-related
treatment programs. | 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
COUN5266 |
Family Systems and Psychoeducation in Addiction
Learners in this course apply the lens of systemic thinking to examine how addiction impacts family systems. Learners assess the role of psychoeducation in treating and preventing addiction with individuals and families as well as other complex facets of addiction that include the role of family dynamics, the relationship between professional systems, models of recovery, and pathology. Learners also develop psychoeducation-informed family group therapy lesson plans. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. | 4 quarter credits |
COUN5268 |
Psychopharmacology and Medication Management
Learners in this course examine the neurobiological, behavioral, psychological, and physical effects of psychoactive substances on individuals and analyze the classifications, indications, and contraindications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medication. Learners also apply principles of psychopharmacology to the clinical practice of counselors and therapists, including consultation and interfacing with the medical community and other systems of care. For MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MS in School Counseling degree program and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Contemporary Theory in Mental Health Services, Contemporary Theory in School-Based Services, and Systemic Couple and Family Therapy graduate certificate learners only. | 4 quarter credits |
All academic courses listed below include specific residency,
practice, or clinical experiences. Learners must complete
prerequisites to be eligible to complete each course in the sequence.
ADD-R5941 * |
Addiction Studies Residency
The residency includes both an online courseroom and a face-to-face
residency experience. Learners engage in online courseroom activities
to prepare themselves for the residency experience and focus on
developing clinical addiction counseling skills, including building
therapeutic relationships, performing therapeutic assessments, and
applying ethical and legal standards of practice. During the
face-to-face residency experience, learners integrate addiction
theories for both individuals and groups. Learners then engage in
post-residency online courseroom activities to assess knowledge
gained.
This course requires travel. Prerequisite(s): ADD5004,
ADD5106, ADD5107, ADD5217, ADD5336, COUN5258, COUN5260, COUN5261,
COUN5264. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
---|---|---|
ADD6431 * |
Addiction Studies Internship
This course is an online-directed, supervised internship during which
learners fulfill the minimum of 300 total required contact hours. Of
the 300 total hours, learners must provide direct services in an
addiction-related setting for at least 120 hours. Learners must also
complete 10 hours of face-to-face contact with site supervisors. This
internship provides learners with specific clinical skills in
interviewing, assessment, intervention, documentation, and
consultation in a site-based learning setting relevant to addiction
treatment.
Grading for this course is S/NS. It is the learner’s
responsibility to research and comply with the specific clinical
experience requirements of their states. May be repeated for
credit. Prerequisite(s): ADD-R5941 and ADD5945 with a cumulative
GPA of 3.0 or better. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.
| 4 quarter credits |
Total
48 quarter credits
* Denotes courses that have
prerequisite(s). Refer to the descriptions for further details.
Capella University cannot guarantee licensure, endorsement, other professional credential, or salary advancement. State licensing regulations and professional standards vary; learners are responsible for understanding and complying with the requirements of the state in which they intend to work. For more information, see the Licensure section for this program on Capella’s website (www.capella.edu).
Residency
The residency requirement for the Master of Science in Addiction Studies degree program is satisfied by completion of an online course consisting of preand post-residency activities and a six-day residency experience (ADD-R5941). The residency for the Master of Science in Addiction Studies degree program requires learners to receive a minimum of 40 total hours of training and practice in the areas of interventions assessment, diversity, culture, and ethics. Learners must have completed the residency requirement prior to starting their internship course (ADD6431).
Practicum/Internship Experience
Learners enrolled in the Master of Science in Addiction Studies degree program complete supervised site-based learning experience as a requirement of their program. The internship (ADD6431) is an online course that requires completion of 300 hours of supervised site-based learning experience performed at an approved internship site. Learners apply the skills developed throughout the course of their program while working in an addiction treatment recovery clinic, agency, or other setting that provides addiction treatment services.