Certificate
The Alcohol and Drug Counseling program provides the necessary courses beyond a bachelor's degree required to pursue a Maryland alcohol and drug counselor certification. Once certified by the state, employment opportunities include addiction treatment programs.
Group therapy session
Program Location

What Makes Our Program Unique

We offer a distinctive focus on women with topics including trauma and pregnancy in relation to addiction. Our program also focuses on prevention efforts and behavioral pain management.

Curriculum & State Requirements

Our program follows the curriculum guidelines for the Certificate Associated Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD) provided by the State of Maryland. NDMU advisors will work with you to enroll in courses that meet State requirements.

State of Maryland Certification Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in a human service field from any accredited university
  • Minimum of 33 credits completed beyond the bachelor's degree
  • One year of supervision and 2,000 hours of supervised experience under an alcohol and drug approved supervisor
  • Must pass the International Certification Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC)/Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) Examination and the Maryland Law Test

Courses

PSY 207 - Psychopathology (3) *online
PSY 350 - Ethics that includes Alcohol and Drug Counseling Issues (3) *online
PSY 306 - Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy (4)
PSY 450 - Group Counseling (4)
PSY 451 - Addictions Treatment Delivery (4)
PSY 452 - Medical Aspects of Chemical Dependency (Pharmacology) (3) *online
PSY 461 - Practicum I (4)
PSY 462 - Practicum II (4)

Choose Three

PSY 233 - Human Development (3) *online
PSY 411 - Topics in Substance Related and Addictive Disorder (topic rotates) (3) *online
PSY 453 - Family Counseling (4 credits)
PSY 454 - Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders (3) *online

What to Expect Studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University

Small classes, lectures and seminars provide a climate for individualized learning while relevant course topics ensure classroom concepts are applicable to practical situations.

Class Schedules

Courses will primarily be offered in a face-to-face format during the day with some evening, online, and hybrid (partially online) options.

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