Addictions Counseling Certificate Program
Nationwide, there are more than 300,000 job openings for substance abuse treatment providers. Projections in Ohio indicate an 18% increase in the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor occupation from 2018 to 2028. This ranks as the 19th fastest growing occupation of 35 occupations listed on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Labor Market Information webpage.
The Addictions Counseling Certificate Program (ACCP) provides students at the undergraduate and graduate levels who are enrolled in a behavioral science degree program (e.g., counseling, human services, criminal justice) with the educational content necessary to apply for chemical dependency counselor licensure in Ohio issued by Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. The ACCP is also available to in-career professionals (e.g., licensed professional counselors, licensed social workers) who wish to pursue addictions counseling as a specialty area. The ACCP can be completed in 12 months and all classes are offered in-person at the Kent campus.
The ACCP is a certificate program offered at KSU. It is not a degree program. Because it is not a degree program, the ACCP is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) because CACREP does not accredit non-degree programs.
For Undergraduate Students:
If you have a high school diploma or an associate's degree you must complete a minimum of 16-credits comprising five courses at the undergraduate/ post-secondary level (four, 3-credit courses and one, 4-credit course).
- Program Overview (Post-secondary)
- View University Requirements
- Schedule of Classes
- Overview of Addictions Counseling Practicum at KSU (PDF)
- Steps to Add Undergraduate Certificate
Have questions? Schedule an appointment with Ms. Michelle Schultz or Ms. Shannon Logsdon, professional advisors for the ACCP in the College of EHHS.
For Graduate Students:
If you have a bachelor's degree or higher, you can complete a minimum of 15-credits comprising five courses at the post-baccalaureate/graduate level (five, 3-credit courses).
The ACCP is designed to fulfill all 180 hours of chemical dependency specific education (across nine content areas) for all three levels of chemical dependency counselor licensure issued by the state of Ohio:
- After completing CES 37662 or 67662/77662, students can apply for certification as a chemical dependency counselor assistant (CDCA Preliminary).
- After completing all courses, practicum hours, paid or supervised work hours (2,000 hours) and ADC examination, students with an associate's degree in a behavioral science discipline or nursing can apply for Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II.
- After completing all courses, practicum hours, paid or supervised work hours (2,000 hours) and ADC examination, students with a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science discipline or nursing can apply for Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III.
- After completing all courses, practicum hours, paid or supervised work hours (2,000 hours) and ADC examination, students with a minimum of a master's degree or higher in a behavioral science discipline or nursing can apply for Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor.
To apply for the CDCA Preliminary certification or any of the above licenses, please visit the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board for further instructions.
Dr. Osborn and the addictions counseling certificate program featured on the 10/9/2019 episode of Psychology Pathways, a podcast series produced by Dr. Joel Hughes, Professor of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University.
Contact
Cynthia Osborn, Ph.D, LPCC-S, LICDC
cosborn@kent.edu
330-672-0695
Professional Licensure Disclosure
This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.