Acquire the knowledge to become an effective substance use disorder counselor. Learn the skills to help clients identify and change addiction-related beliefs and behaviors. Format: Remote (Required Courses). Internship may be in-person or remote.
Addiction is one of the most pressing public health challenges in society today. With nearly 21 million Americans—a number that is greater than all cancer diagnoses combined—suffering from substance use disorders, there is an urgent need for competent and knowledgeable counselors in the field.
To help address this serious issue, the UCLA Extension Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate program prepares students for professional certification and careers in substance use disorder counseling.
Format: Remote (required courses). Internship may be in person or remote.
Duration: 1.5 years
Attend our free information session and new student orientation to learn more about the growing profession of substance use disorder counseling and meet instructors who teach in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate. Attendance is required to complete the application to the program.
The UCLA Extension Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate is approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals Education Institute (CCAPP-EI).
I can’t thank UCLA Extension enough for launching my counseling career. I received excellent training from the program’s knowledgeable and dedicated teachers. UCLA Extension’s reputation has opened many doors for me. I now have the privilege of doing work that I love through facilitating groups at rehabs in the Los Angeles area and working as a counselor and case manager.
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
This program begins in Fall quarter. All prospective certificate candidates must complete an application process prior to enrolling in required courses.
To apply:
Upon completion of steps 1-3, successful applicants will be assessed a $125 nonrefundable candidacy fee, payable once permission to enroll in the program is granted
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate program includes:
Additional benefits exclusive to UCLA Extension certificate students:
Practical training is offered through fieldwork experience—including an opportunity to participate in a two-quarter Supervised Field Work Practicum course.
Both experiential and didactic, this practicum incorporates information learned in prerequisite courses and serves as the capstone experience in the curriculum. Students spend 255 hours in direct agency internship, and complete 18 classroom sessions that utilize role playing, case studies and other exercises to troubleshoot counseling issues.
Students are encouraged to research facilities of interest to them at the beginning of their coursework, and must secure their field work practicum site and complete paperwork prior to enrolling in the Supervised Field Work Practicum course.
The Zappala Family Scholarship, established in 2013, supports students enrolled in the UCLA Extension Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate.
When it comes to the cycle of addiction, skilled and well-trained substance use disorder counselors make all the difference in the lives of those who struggle with the disease. This scholarship was created to provide qualified individuals the opportunity to pursue professional careers as addiction counselors.
The Zappala family has been personally touched by the devastating effects of addiction and strongly believes in supporting the education of those seeking to help individuals and families overcome addiction, achieve recovery, and return to a healthy way of living. Thanks to the support of qualified and compassionate counselors, a member of the Zappala family successfully received treatment for addiction, rebuilt a sober life, and later pursued his own career in substance use disorder counseling after completing his certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling at UCLA Extension. In gratitude for that support, the Zappala family offers assistance to those pursuing careers in substance use disorder counseling to ensure that expert counselors are readily available for other families like theirs.
All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.
The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.
The UCLA Extension Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate meets the educational requirements for those seeking professional certification from the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) and its certification board, CCAPP Credentialing.
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