Assumption Introduces Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Paige Pihl Buckley, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Drug overdose deaths in Massachusetts rose 47% since 1999.

With overdose deaths in the Bay Sate up 47% since 1999, Continuing and Career Education (CCE) at Assumption College has introduced an alcohol and substance abuse counseling certificate program. The eight-course program includes a 300-hour internship program and supervised practical training geared toward eligibility requirements for counselor certification.

“The Assumption College program appears to be a very integrated program, combining both issues in addictions, addiction counseling, psychiatric disabilities, as well as issues related to co-occurring disorders. This, I think, makes the program of study quite unique in its scope,” said Jacquelyn Cummins, executive director of the Massachusetts Board of Substance Abuse Counseling Certification.

The program, which has been approved by National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals, will prepare students for the state Certified Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor exam and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Licensure of Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADCII and LADC Assistant).

A Growing Job Market

"This program provides practical training that takes students on a direct path to an entry level job as a counselor,” said Dennis Braun, CCE program director at Assumption College.

“It's a distinct advantage for new counselors to have training and experience in substance abuse counseling because drug and alcohol dependency is a condition that factors into almost every other form of counseling,” he said. “Our graduates will be able to draw upon this work as foundational expertise no matter which direction their counselor career takes."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to grow 27% overall by 2020, and 44% in residential treatment facilities by 2020.

"We are getting a lot of interest in the program, the feedback has been very positive,” said Braun. “The program has been well received by the industry and will be of great benefit to Central Massachusetts.”

The certificate program can be combined with CCE’s Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Rehabilitation Sciences with a concentration in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling. All the credits earned in the certificate program can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree program.