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Substance Use Disorder Counseling Online Certificate

The field of substance use disorder counseling ranks among the top twenty fastest-growing occupations in the State of Ohio. The Substance Use Disorder Counseling Certificate (SUD) prepares students to be Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC) or a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselors (LICDC), depending on prior academic work. 

Leading to licensure in the State of Ohio, the SUD certificate provides in-depth, evidence-based training that is highly valued by employers. Current undergraduate students and bachelor’s-level college graduates are eligible for this five-course program. Students with master’s degrees can complete the program by taking as few as three courses.

The SUD certificate at John Carroll is a cohort program offering an accelerated pace for students to complete the coursework in just eight months. In each cohort, students are joined by classmates from diverse personal and professional backgrounds who advance through the program as a community of peers. The classes are held fully online with a mix of asynchronous and synchronous learning. Classes are seven or fourteen weeks in length and are taught by dually-licensed counselors with years of clinical, academic, and research experience.

Note: For all Licensure questions, please contact the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professional Board: https://ocdp.ohio.gov/

45-Year Tradition of Educating Counseling Students

More information regarding the total cost of attendance can be found here.

  • Successful completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
  • This program has no set submission deadline. Applications are considered on a rolling basis upon completion. Admission decisions will be made based on space in the program.
  • No GRE Required

The SUD counseling online certificate is well suited for those who are in a variety of professions including; law enforcement, probation officers, social workers, human resources, mental health practitioners, nurses, and other medical staff, just to name a few. This graduate certificate is both for aspiring and current professionals.

  • Meet with the Program Coordinator, Dr. Moore. Schedule an appointment here.
  • Complete your application.
  • Free Application
  • Official Transcript(s)
  • 1 Letter of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • No GRE Required

Certificate Highlights

Why Substance Use Disorder Counseling?

This flexible certificate program features comprehensive online classes that provide a solid foundation for practicing in the specialty of substance abuse and addictive behavior. Put your passion for helping others to work and learn how to treat one of America’s most harmful disorders. Your courses are taught by practicing counselors from the greater Cleveland area, allowing you to build your network and learn directly from professionals in the field. Take advantage of our established connections at agencies and private practices, and pursue coveted internship placements and jobs.

Curriculum

Fall Semester

  • CG 5514 - Addiction Knowledge - First half of Semester
  • CG 5516 - Service Coordination & Documentation - Second half of Semester
  • CG 5515 - Treatment Knowledge - Full Semester

Spring Semester

  • CG 5556 - Family and Relationship Dynamics - First half of Semester
  • CG 5517- Group & Individual Counseling -  Full Semester
  • CG 5518** - Field Experience in Substance Use Disorders Counseling - Full Semester

**Students may not need CG 5518 if they are already working in the substance use disorder field. Please make an appointment with the Program Coordinator, Dr. Moore mmoore@jcu.edu to confirm the necessary course sequence.

You can find the course descriptions by visiting the John Carroll University Graduate Bulletin.