Online Courses are not required for degree programmes.
These courses are constructed for Academic Credit and may also be used to meet professional requirements of licensing, certification and other professional purposes. The following courses meet the required standards for specific core content for most state, national and international boards to be certified/licensed as an alcohol/drug counselor.
AC801 - Diversity and Special Issues in Substance Abuse(3 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,350) Prerequisites: Minimum 12 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies or psychology. Course Description: This graduate-level course examines the issues of diversity in substance abuse population and prepares the students to work more effectively with individuals from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds struggling with alcohol and drug dependence. The following topics will be addressed and analyzed: theory and meaning of diversity in the context of addictions, race and ethnicity including African-Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Sexual orientation and diversity in substance abuse population will also be examined. Finally, this course will provide a comprehensive overview of the theory and research regarding diversity issues in addiction treatment. |
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AC802 - Sexually Transmitted Disease and Other Medical Illnesses and Drug Abuse(4 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,800) Prerequisites: Minimum 12 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies or psychology. Course Description: This graduate-level course examines the different sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s) including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomonas (the four most common) along with genital herpes, genital warts, hepatitis A, B, C and D, and HIV/AIDS. About 85% of all STDs occur in people between the ages of 15 and 30. Almost half of all teenagers who are very sexually active have had chlamydia; the fastest-spreading STD. The increased risk of STDs, including HIV disease, due to lowered inhibitions or trading sex for drugs is all too common among the drug-abusing population. One thing to remember about STDs is the delayed incubation period before symptoms appear. This allows the disease to be unknowingly transmitted to others. This course looks critically at how individuals of different races, ages and gender and sexual orientation who are substance abusers can prevent as well how they acquire, spread and cope with triple combined diseases-STD, mental illnesses as well as substance abuse. Emphasis on the different research in this field of study, with available categories of interventions for those individuals with these conditions. |
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AC803 - Case Management for Substance Abuse Treatment(3 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,350) Prerequisites: Minimum 15 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies or psychology. Course Description: This graduate-level course examines the role and function of the case manager in substance abuse treatment. The topics to be covered in this course include the definitions and functions of case management, history and development of case management, various models of case management currently used in substance abuse treatment, ethical and legal aspects of case management, meeting clients and assessing their strengths and needs, developing a treatment plan, record keeping and report writing, and monitoring services and following the client until the termination of treatment. |
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AC804 - Psychopharmacology of Drug Abuse(3 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,350) Prerequisites: Minimum 12 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies or psychology. Course Description: This graduate level course teaches that an important psychological disorder is substance abuse. It causes many health and social problems. This course emphasizes the fact that it is treatable. Addresses current issues in the treatment of substance abuse which include: The rapidly expanding use of medications for detoxification, withdrawal, and long-term abstinence; Examines in detail, topics such as motivational interviewing, stages of change model, treatment in prisons, intervention strategies, and obstacles to effective treatment. This course also examines medical intervention developments in detail including medications already approved, medications in development, and the new drug development process. |
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AC805 - Psychopharmacology of Mental Illness and Dual Diagnoses – Causes and Treatments(3 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,350) Prerequisites: Minimum 12 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies or psychology. Course Description: This graduate-level course examines:
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AC806 - Methods, Models and Applications in Addiction Treatment(3 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,350) Prerequisites: Minimum 12 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies or psychology. Course Description: This graduate-level course examines: This graduate level course examines and compares different methods and models used in addiction treatment settings. Applications of different methods and models will be addressed, as how they pertain to people who have addiction issues. Overview of growing addiction groups will be addressed. This course will also examine treatment applications and treatment planning with special populations groups. This course will prepare professionals in this field to effectively apply methods and models learned into addiction practices. |
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AC815 - Ethics in the Professional Practice(3 Credit Hours - Cost: $1,350) Prerequisites: Minimum 12 credit hours of graduate level courses in addictions studies, psychology, behavioral health, or social work. Course Description: This graduate-level course examines: This graduate level course addresses the many facets of ethical issues in professional practice. It addresses current ethical issues in providing counseling, psychotherapy, social work, and recovery-oriented services. |
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AC890 - Independent Course Description (Individualized Curriculum)(1-4 Credit Hours - Cost: $450-1,800) Degree candidates and their Dean(s) may elect to have the student engage in individualized course content, approved by the Dean of the candidate’s programme. Once the learning contract has been negotiated between the candidate and his/her Dean, the Dean will notify the Registrar of the assignment and the Registrar will authorize permission for the candidate to enroll in 1-4 credits. A one credit graduate course requires approximately 40.5 hours of course work, which includes:
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On a part-time basis, most candidates are anticipated to complete their degree requirements within eighteen months. The determining criteria are dedication and the candidate’s previous academic and professional portfolio.