ACCEPT Program

The ACCEPT Program is the Addictions Counseling Certificate Experiential Paraprofessional Training Program at Kent State University. 

It is an enhancement of the Addictions Counseling Certificate Program, providing additional experiential training and financial support to a select number of KSU undergraduate students enrolled in the certificate program. 

The ACCEPT Program is a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA; Grant # 1 M01HP42441‐01‐00), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services administration. (Total HRSA award to KSU for 4 years is $1,598,289; 60% of which is dedicated to student support.) 

About the ACCEPT Program

Eligibility Requirements

Students eligible for the ACCEPT Program are those who begin the undergraduate/post-secondary Addictions Counseling Certificate Program (ACCP) in either the Fall semester or the Spring semester and commit to completing the ACCP in 12 months, including completing 4 credits and 315 clock hours of supervised practicum at an approved behavioral health organization in Northeast Ohio. 

The majority of ACCEPT Program Trainees are Psychology majors. All of the Trainees are preparing to work as addictions counselors. 

Fall 2024 ACCEPT Applications Open

The ACCEPT Program is now recruiting for the Fall 2024 class of ACCEPT Trainees! If you are interested in completing the 16-credit and 12-month addictions counseling certificate program, which includes a 315-hour practicum in addictions counseling, and beginning addictions counseling coursework Fall 2024, please consider applying for the ACCEPT Program! The application can be accessed here using this QR code:

QR code for Accept trainee program
Program Trainee Benefits

Each KSU ACCEPT Program Trainee receives the following:

  • $3,000 toward tuition/fees
  • $5,000 stipend during practicum
  • Training in cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and working with families
  • Extensive training and certification in telehealth service provision, offered by Telehealth.org, a leader in telehealth training
  • Participation in client simulation practice activities/encounters conducted live/on-ground in The Counseling Center (325 White Hall, Kent campus) and online/asynchronously, including a simulated case conference
  • Career mentoring provided by a graduate student Research Assistant, including resume revision and participating in mock employment interviews
  • Placement in a 13- or 15-week addictions counseling practicum (Fall, Spring, or Summer term) for a minimum of 315 clock hours of supervised practice at a facility in Northeast Ohio that offers integrated health services (behavioral health and primary care)
  • Free life-time subscription to Tevera, a digital portfolio/software package to track all practicum field hours and progress toward licensure as a chemical dependency counselor in Ohio
  • View the Undergraduate Addictions Counseling Practicum Manual (PDF)

To learn more, view the ACCEPT informational session!