AODA Program

Alcoholism & Other Drugs of Addiction (AODA)

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

Accredited by The Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse

Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA)

About Certification

Students completing the AODA Post-baccalaureate certificate training program will be eligible to take the Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC) Illinois State Certification Examination administered by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB) to receive their CADC . The goal of the program is to lead to employment in facilities such as:

Hospitals and clinics
Schools, colleges and universities
Community agencies and organizations
The two-year work experience requirement will be waived for students who complete an IAODAPCA accredited program.

Prerequisites

CSU course numbers are given in parentheses:

Intro to Psychology (1100)
Childhood and Adolescence (2040) or Lifespan Development (2000)
Abnormal Psychology (2155)

*Students are required to take all prerequisite courses. Will not be given credit towards program requirements.

Required Courses (18 Credits)

Theories and Practice of Addictions Counseling (COUN 5810)
Family Violence and Addictions/Trauma Informed Treatment for Women and Adolescents (PSYC 5302)
Assessment, Planning and Case Management (PSYC 5303)
Diagnosis and Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders (PSYC 5306)
Addictions Internship I: Addictions Counseling (PSYC 5307 - includes 300 hours of field practice)
Addictions Internship II: Ethics and Professional Issues in Addictions Counseling (PSYC 5308 - includes 300 hours of field practice)

Students are encouraged to take the non-credit Certification Exam Review Seminar.

Students will be required to do an internship of 600 field hours, which must be completed within a year and approved by the program coordinator.

Employment Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is projected to grow 23% from 2016-2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. A key reason for the growth is that the Affordable Care Act mandates that insurance providers cover treatment for mental health issues now as well as the shift in how the justice system is dealing with drug offenders. Rather than jail time, many offenders are receiving treatment-oriented sentences. Typically, counselors conduct session for individuals, families, and groups to provide case management and referral services. In Illinois, the mean salary for a Drug Abuse Counselor in 2017 was $42,810. The median salary in 2017 in the United States was $46,560. It was noted that government employers paid highest wages.

Additional Information About This Program

This certificate primarily prepares students to work in the field of addictions. The certificate is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association. Upon completion of the program, students are qualified to sit for the Certified Alcohol and Other Drugs of Abuse Counselor Examination. The certificate is an ideal compliment to any graduate degree in counseling, social work, criminal justice and other disciplines. It also offers graduates a wide range of professional possibilities. For information about program costs, employment, and other information, click here for gainful employment.

Handbooks

Interesting Facts

1 in 4 Americans will have an alcohol or drug problem at some point in their lives.
Almost a quarter of a trillion dollars of the nation’s yearly healthcare costs are attributed to substance abuse and addictions.
60% of admission to emergency rooms are either directly or indirectly due to drug or alcohol usage.
50% of all traffic accidents involve the use of drugs or alcohol, with many of these being fatal.
Alcohol and other drugs contribute to over 50% of all suicides and over 50% of all violent crimes.
Alcoholism is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death in the nation.
More than 4 in 10 people who begin drinking before age 15 eventually become alcoholics.
The annual Illinois statewide economic costs associated with alcohol, other drug, and tobacco-related mortality is in excess of $3.5 billion.

AODA Program Coordinator/Advisor

Maryse Nazon, PsyD, CADC, MISA

Phone: (773) 995-2394

E-mail: mnazon@seezl.com

For Questions Regarding Psychology Minors

Contact: Psychology Undergraduate Advising Center HWH 214

Call (773) 821-2885