Substance Use Disorders Interprofessional Graduate Certificate
The Substance Use Disorders Interprofessional Graduate Certificate offers a focused, practice鈥憃riented pathway for students and professionals who want to strengthen their ability to serve individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use. The program is built around a clear mission: 鈥渢o train students to work with populations impacted by substance use disorders (SUD)鈥� .
Its curriculum blends foundational knowledge, clinical skill development, and interdisciplinary perspectives drawn from counseling, psychology, and social work. Students gain a strong grounding in evidence鈥慴ased approaches while learning to navigate the complex biopsychosocial factors that shape addiction, recovery, and co鈥憃ccurring mental health concerns.
A central feature of the certificate is its required core course, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), which teaches students to identify and respond to substance use and mental health disorders using a preventive, integrated care model. The course emphasizes routine screening, early intervention, and coordinated treatment planning, and students learn these skills through 鈥渞eadings, role plays, presentations, and online trainings鈥� . This foundation prepares graduates to work effectively in healthcare, behavioral health, community agencies, and other settings where early detection and intervention are essential.
Students then tailor their training through a combination of core electives and specialized coursework. Options such as Addiction Counseling, Neuropsychopharmacology, and Treatment of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) deepen clinical expertise in assessment, diagnosis, pharmacology, and evidence鈥慴ased intervention models. Courses explore 鈥渢he physiological effects of commonly misused substances, assessment and diagnosis of substance use disorders, and specific, evidence鈥慴ased interventions with adolescent and adult clients鈥� . Additional electives鈥攊ncluding crisis intervention, psychopathology, trauma treatment, rehabilitation counseling, and lifespan development鈥攁llow students to build competencies relevant to co鈥憃ccurring disorders, trauma鈥慽nformed care, and work with diverse and high鈥憆isk populations.
Designed as a 15鈥慶redit program, the certificate supports both current graduate students and working professionals seeking advanced preparation in addiction鈥憆elated practice. With its interdisciplinary structure, emphasis on evidence鈥慴ased treatment, and flexible elective options, the program equips graduates to meet the rising demand for skilled practitioners in behavioral health, integrated care, and community鈥慴ased service systems.