Program Overview
Help prevent substance abuse, counsel people with addictive disorders, and provide other services to people suffering from addiction when you graduate with an Addiction Counseling master’s degree program from JWU.
This 18-month full-time program* has two cohort starts each year (fall or spring), and meets in the late afternoons and evenings. This flexible schedule allows opportunities for students to work at their field placements during the day and on weekends. The majority of courses are taught by full-time faculty who represent diverse areas of expertise including clinical, school, addictions and substance abuse, grief and rehabilitation counseling and social work.
Learn clinical skills by turning theoretical foundations into positive, ethical client interaction and intervention. Students are prepared to take the National Counselor Examination before graduation, allowing a distinct advantage upon entering the job market.
The program includes 12 core courses related to mental health counseling, 4 electives related to addiction counseling, a practicum and an internship. This fieldwork puts professional knowledge into practice, starting with a 150-hour practicum and ending with an internship under the supervision of clinical professionals. This work can be conducted at one or more sites and fulfills the 600 experiential field hours required for licensing. Many students continue on to full-time employment at the agency where they interned.
*A part-time option is available. Part-time students follow a study plan of two courses per semester, completing the program in 3 years.
Individual states may require specific licensing or professional certification in addition to earning a degree in order to practice in the field. For more information, visit the Licensure & Professional Certification Disclosures page of the catalog.
Sample Courses
For a full course listing, visit the JWU Catalog:
