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Master of Science in Human Services/Addiction Counseling Certificate Program at Albertus Magnus College
The MSHS/ACC program enables students to earn a master’s degree and a graduate certificate
in just 2 years and includes all the academic preparation necessary to be eligible
for the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) credential in the State of Connecticut.
Program Tracks in Human Services and Counseling
State requirements for licensure may be found here. In brief, they entail:
- A counseling-related master’s degree (with at least 18 credits on counseling-related topics).
- At least 27 credits in counseling-related subjects, including at least 18 credits in subjects specifically related to addiction counseling. The latter involves designated coursework in a number of topics, such as psychopharmacology, assessment, and treatment planning).
- At least 2 years’ experience working with clients with addiction-related problems (this may include unpaid internships and other experience accrued before completing the master’s degree) with at least 300 hours of professional supervision/practical training.
- A passing score on the International Certification Examination for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselors (AODA) administered by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), whose local affiliate is the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB).
What Makes Human Services/Addiction Counseling at Albertus Different?
Engaged
Students
- Hands-on, experiential learning
- Interdisciplinary perspectives
- Emphasis on collaborative work
Great
Teaching
- Personally invested professors
- Small class sizes
- Innovative, well-rounded programs
- Resources and opportunities for research
Vibrant
Communities
- Lively extracurricular activities
- Campus-wide events
- Service and community engagement
Successful
Outcomes
- Active career counseling
- Opportunity-building networks
- Access to internships and professional experiences
The Albertus Human Services/Addiction Counseling Faculty
Human Services/Addiction Counseling Affiliate Faculty
Where Will Your Human Services/Addiction Counseling Degree take You?
Possible career paths with a Master of Science degree in Human Services/Addiction Counseling include:
Human Services/Addiction Counseling Courses
YEAR ONE (30 credits)
Master Mod 1
- HS504 Writing in the Social Sciences
- PY530 Theories of Counseling
Master Mod 2
- HS531 Theory, Practice, and Multicultural Issues
- PY533 Psychopathology
Master Mod 3
- HS530 Ethical and Legal Issues in Human Services
- PY537 Counseling Techniques
Master Mod 4
- Case Management
- Program Evaluation
Master Mod 5
- PY540 Organizational Behavior and Group Dynamics
- PY542 Career Counseling and Vocational Rehabilitation
YEAR TWO (27 credits)
Master Mod 1
- PY583 Drugs and Behavior I: Basic Science
- PY584 Professional Issues in Addiction Counseling (1.5 credits)
- HS580 Field Experience (extends through Master Mod 2)
- HS660A Capstone Seminar (1.5 credits, extends through Master Mod 2)
Master Mod 2
- PY585 Drugs and Behavior II: Applications
- PY586 Culture, Gender, and Special Populations in Addictions (1.5 credits)
Master Mod 3
- PY587 Addiction Counseling I: Core Competencies
- PY588 Clinical Assessment in Addiction Counseling (1.5 credits)
- HS580 Field Experience (extends through Master Mod 4)
- HS660B Capstone Seminar (1.5 credits, extends through Master Mod 4)
Master Mod 4
- PY589 Addiction Counseling II: Advanced Techniques
- PY591 Treatment Planning and Case Conceptualization (1.5 credits)
Interested in learning more about the diverse courses offered at Albertus?
Human Services/Addiction Counseling Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Human Services/Addiction Counseling program, applicants must submit the following:
Prospective students should meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.00 on a 4.00 system (documented by official transcripts sent directly from the degree-granting institution).
- A minimum of 15 credits in psychology, human services, and/or social work. Credits from closely related disciplines may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- A current resume.
- A 500-600 word essay, double-spaced, detailing why the candidate is applying for this program, any experience in this area, and his/her expectations for this program.
- Two letters of recommendation from former professors or professional associates.
- Proof of immunization (in accordance with Connecticut State requirements).
- For non-native English speakers, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 80 (internet-based), or 213 (computer-based).
- For applicants who intend to use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Educational Benefits, military, university and college transcripts and a Certification of Eligibility letter or, for reservists, Notice of Basic Eligibility.
- An interview with one or more members of the program faculty is required.
This program fulfills all of the strictly educational requirements for licensure (the first two bullet points), may include some of the required experience and clinical supervision, and should enable students to prepare for the licensure examination.
The program is optimized for fall admission. The complete schedule is shown above. Year One (mods 1 – 5) is identical to the existing M.S. in Human Services program and involves a total of 30 credits distributed across five 8-week mods). Year Two includes the existing Addiction Counseling Certificate program (18 credits) as well as the remaining 9 credits of the master’s degree program, with the latter distributed across four 8-week mods.
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