WCSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ADDICTION STUDIES

Mary Murphy, Graduate Coordinator
Phone: (203) 837-8944
murphym@wcsu.edu
Carol O’Connor, Secretary
Phone: (203) 837-8470
oconnorc@wcsu.edu    

 

Full-time faculty, Licensed Clinical Psychologists: N. Gallucci, M. Murphy (LADC), S. Murphy
Part-time faculty: J. Conrad (LADC), K. Sharpe (LADC)

 

MS Addiction Studies Website

Mission

Our mission is to develop professionals with the knowledge and values to be career-long learners, and effective and ethical providers in the treatment of addiction. We serve the state of Connecticut by providing the highest quality training in best practices for treating and preventing substance use disorders through integrated behavioral health services with a focus on treatment and recovery in high need and high demand areas.

Program Objectives

The MS in Addiction Studies will produce professionals who can:

1. Apply evidence-based principles to lead effective individual, family and group counseling for SUDs.

2. Develop and implement best-practice treatment plans and propose risk reduction interventions.

3. Employ and articulate the professional values and ethics specific to intervention and prevention in this field.

4. Utilize the diagnostic criteria for Substance Use Disorders (SUD; DSM-5) and related psychological disorders across diverse populations, and provide referral, consultation and collaboration with mental health providers and/or medical providers to ensure continuity of care, adherence to best practice treatment standards for the individual’s Co-occurring Diagnosis (COD), and achieve through the treatment of SUDs & CODs, optimal treatment outcomes.

5. Demonstrate the ability to conduct effective program reviews on addiction services and psychopharmacological treatment.

Certification and Job Prospects

Graduates will be prepared for the certification of: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).

The LADC in Connecticut requires a Master’s degree in a Behavioral Science as well as supervised experience in the field. Additional requirements for licensure are:

· 300 hours of supervised practical training in Alcohol and Drug Counseling.

· Two years of supervised work experience.

The M.S. includes a supervised internship.

Graduates will be prepared to apply for jobs as counselors, supervisors, team leaders, inpatient managers, outpatient coordinators, and other careers in the substance use disorders field. Given the unfortunate and devastating surge in opioid use in New England, there is every expectation that graduates will be able to gain immediate employment as they work toward the two years of supervised work experience requirement for LADC. Connecticut has the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation in the nation – 2,600 jobs (www.bls.gov.).

Admission Requirements

Applicants who wish to be admitted to the M.S. in Addiction Studies must submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

1. Application for admission to the Office of Graduate Admissions and a $50 application fee. Online Application

2. Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education at time of entry into the program.

3. One official transcript mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions from each college or university previously attended, including all earned grades and degrees. Mail transcripts to Western Connecticut State University, 181 White Street, Danbury, CT 06810 Attention: Office of Graduate Admissions. Electronic transcripts can be forwarded to graduateadmissions@wcsu.edu

4. Applicant’s cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) must be at least a 3.0 for admission consideration into program.

5. An interview with the department admissions committee.

6. It is preferred for students to have skills (e.g., completed coursework) in the following areas. Such courses are not required. Applicants should specify the relevant courses or experiences they have completed.

o research methods in the behavioral sciences

o basic understanding of the DSM-5

o applied experience in psychology or a related field

Advanced Standing Pathway Option

Individuals with demonstrated competency in substance use disorder counseling evidenced by exemplary performance in relevant undergraduate coursework and field placements may apply for advanced standing. Such students complete the MS in Addiction Studies in 30-31 credits (rather than 37).

Courses waived for advanced standing will be established upon admission, after a review of prior work by the graduate coordinator. Students will receive documentation of the approved program prior to the start of the program.

WCSU Psychology Candidates

The WCSU Psychology Department four-course (16 credit) undergraduate sequence in Substance Use Counseling prepares students for certification as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (CADC) in Connecticut. Students who have completed three (3) courses of this CADC sequence at WCSU and a relevant field placement are eligible to apply for admission with Advanced Standing to the M.S. in Addiction Studies program. Specifically, eligible candidates must have:

· An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher

· Completed three courses in the WCSU Substance Use Counseling sequence (three of: PSY 392, PSY 393, PSY 394, PSY 395) with a grade of B or better in each course

· Completed a field placement through PSY 306, or PSY 439, or the equivalent as determined by the Psychology Graduate Admissions Committee, e.g. prior work experience in the substance use field.

External Candidates

Applicants to the MS program who have completed a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) program at a Connecticut Community College, such as Manchester Community College, Naugatuck Valley Community College, and Gateway Community college, are also encouraged to apply for Advanced Standing recognition. The DARC program is nationally accredited through the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC). In addition to the 30-credit DARC curriculum, candidates must have completed an internship in their DARC program and have a baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Course Schedule: Completion of the following:

Choose one option

Option 1 : Full-time Pathway ___       Option 2 : Part-time Pathway ___

Core Addiction Studies Courses (16 credits) Cr. Course Offered
PSY 592 Substance Use Counseling: Assessment and Counseling  4 Every Fall
PSY 593 Substance Use Counseling: Drugs and Behavior 4 Every Spring
PSY 594 Substance Use Counseling: Counseling Techniques 4 Every Fall
PSY 595 Substance Use Counseling: Applied Individual and Group Counseling 4 Every Spring
Additional Required Courses (15 credits)
PSY 581 Development and Evaluation of SUD Intervention Program 3 Every Summer I
PSY 584 Substance Use and Co-Occuring  Disorders: Diagnosis and Interventions 3 Every Fall
PSY 582 Professional Development and Ethics 3 Every Fall
PSY 583 Theories of Psychotherapy 3 Every Winter Int.
PSY 585 Current Topics in Substance Use Disorders Assessment and Treatment 3 Every Summer I
Internship (3 credits)
PSY 530 Internship in Addiction Studies 3 Every Spring
200 hours of supervised practical training in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Master Project (3 credits)
PSY 590 Masters Project   3 Every Spring
Completed in one semester or over the entire program.
Total credits 37

** These courses are waiting approval at WCSU.

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • When does the program begin?
    For both full-time and part-time students, classes begin in the Fall. Full-time students can complete all program requirement in a year; part-time students in two years..
  • How much is tuition?
    Student tuition rates and fees, and information on financial aid, can be found at: Tuition and Fees
  • Are Graduate Assistantships available?
    Yes. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for information.
  • Can courses be taken online?
    Some designated courses are offered online.
  • Is there an interview for admission?
    Yes. This is scheduled after review of application materials.
  • Is there an internship?
    Yes. This can be arranged by the student with approval of the Graduate Coordinator, or in cooperation with the faculty.
  • Do I have to be a psychology major to apply?
    No. Applications are encouraged from a variety of related undergraduate fields.
  • I have been working many years. Can I successfully come back to school for this program?
    Some of our most successful graduates have been in similar situations.

 

Course Schedule for Fall 2019 Cohort:

FULL-TIME PATHWAY

Fall 

PSY 592 Substance Use Counseling: Assessment and Counseling. (4 Cr)

PSY 584 Substance Use Disorders & Co-Occurring Disorders: Diagnosis and Interventions (3 Cr)

PSY 582 Professional Development and Ethics  (3 Cr)

PSY 594 Substance Use Counseling: Counseling Techniques. (4 Cr)

Winter 

PSY 583 Theories of Psychotherapy (3 Cr) Online option.

Spring

PSY 593 Substance Use Counseling: Drugs and Behavior. (4 Cr)

PSY 590 Masters Project. (3 Cr)

PSY 530 Internship in Addiction Studies. (3 Cr)

PSY 595 Substance Use Counseling: Applied Individual and Group Counseling. (4 Cr)

Summer I 2020

PSY 585 Current Topics in Substance Use Disorders Assessment and Treatment (3 Cr)

Summer II 2020

PSY 581 Development and Evaluation of SUD Intervention Programs (3 Cr)

TOTAL: 37 Credits

 

PART-TIME PATHWAY

Fall Year 1

PSY 582 Professional Development and Ethics  (3 Cr)

PSY 594 Substance Use Counseling: Counseling Techniques. (4 Cr)

Winter Year 1

PSY 583 Theories of Psychotherapy (3 Cr) Online option.

Spring Year 1

PSY 530 Internship in Addiction Studies. (3 Cr)

PSY 595 Substance Use Counseling: Applied Individual and Group Counseling. (4 Cr)

Summer I Year 1

PSY 585 Current Topics in Substance Use Disorders Assessment and Treatment (3 Cr)

Fall Year 2

PSY 592 Substance Use Counseling: Assessment and Counseling. (4 Cr)

PSY 584 Substance Use Disorders & Co-Occurring Disorders: Diagnosis and Interventions (3 Cr)

Spring Year 2

PSY 593 Substance Use Counseling: Drugs and Behavior. (4 Cr)

PSY 590 Masters Project. (3 Cr)

Summer II Year 2

PSY 581 Development and Evaluation of SUD Intervention Programs (3 Cr)

TOTAL: 37 Credits