The Addiction Studies Graduate Certificate is designed for persons who have completed a bachelor's or master’s degree with a background in human services or a related field who are interested in obtaining coursework leading to certification as a Substance Use Disorder Professional in Washington state.

Certification as Substance Use Disorder Professionals in Washington State requires students to have 45 quarter or 60 semester credits in addiction-related coursework. This Graduate Certificate provides most of those courses as some students may have already completed other required courses in previous programs. Additional coursework required includes:

• ADST 502 Counseling Theories for the Addiction Professional
• ADST 503 HIV/AIDS and Addiction Treatment
• ADST 505 Addiction Group Counseling
• A course in Human Development, Developmental Models and Theories, Lifespan Development, or Human Behavior in the Social Environment will be required for certification in Washington State.

Other requirements include:

With a Bachelor of Arts Degree: 2,000 hours in a Substance Use Disorder treatment agency. Note: this Certificate Program does not equate to a master’s degree.

With a Master’s Degree: 1,500 hours in a Substance Use Disorder treatment agency. Note: those with a master’s degree that is not in human services or a related field will need to complete 2,000 hours.

A practicum option may be available for students and may count toward Washington State Certification required hours.  

Addiction Studies has not yet determined if this program meets the educational requirements to sit for licensure/certification outside of Washington State. The department works to provide education that qualifies students to sit for certification/licensure examinations through states affiliated with NAADAC and IC & RC. 

Please contact the respective certification/licensing board for exact requirements in your state. Many states require students to have a practicum/internship listed on transcripts when they apply for certification/licensure. If students do not know their state licensing/certification board or need assistance determining if EWU’s program is right for them, please contact adst@ewu.edu.

Required Courses
ADST 501	RELAPSE PREVENTION	2
ADST 504	ADOLESCENT ADDICTION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT	4
ADST 512	PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS	4
ADST 520	CASE MANAGEMENT	4
ADST 530	ADDICTION TREATMENT WITH FAMILIES AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS	4
ADST 535	CONFIDENTIALITY, LAW AND ETHICS FOR THE ADDICTION PROFESSIONAL	4
ADST 542	SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION OF CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS	4
ADST 544	TREATING CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS	4
Total Credits		30

 Optional Practicum–Students who are not currently working in a treatment agency may benefit from the practicum experience. Practicum hours may count toward Washington state certification required hours.

ADST 595	ADST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELING PRACTICUM	2-4
ADST 695	ADST BEHAVIORAL HEALTH COUNSELING PRACTICUM II	1-4

Students who earn an Addiction Studies Graduate Certificate from EWU should be able to:

• demonstrate the competency-based knowledge and skills required for working in behavioral health treatment settings;
• understand the underlying causes of addictive behaviors and approaches to intervention, including assessment, treatment, relapse prevention, case management, and self-help;
• describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the person using and significant others.