Advanced Certificate Program

Advanced Certificate Program in Addiction Treatment and Prevention Services

The 12 to 18-unit graduate certificate in addiction treatment services is offered through the Center for the Application of Substance Abuse Technologies (CASAT). The graduate certificate is available to individuals who already hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree and wish to add addiction-specific information to their body of knowledge. It is particularly useful to those pursuing licensure in the state of Nevada as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).

NOTE: Students who are solely enrolled in this program are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid. GRE scores are not required for this certificate.

The curriculum is designed to provide an overview and state of the art information regarding services presently provided to individuals, families, organizations, and communities interested in preventing, intervening, assessing, and treating people in the area of addictions. Each individual pursuing this certificate is expected to meet with the Academic Program Manager to develop an individualized program of study based upon the student’s interests, experience, previous education, and career goals. The curriculum options presently available include:

Course Options

  • CAS 674 Overview of Addiction Prevention, Treatment & Recovery (3 credits) – online 
  • CEP 642b Assessment & Diagnosis (3 credits) – inperson
  • CAS 637 Aging and Addiction (3 credits) – online 
  • CAS 639 Exploring Gambling Behaviors (3 credits) – online
  • CAS 659 Special Topics in Addiction (3 credits) – online and inperson
  • CAS 661 – Clinical Considerations and Technology in Behavioral Health (3 credits) – online
  • CAS 662 – Ethics and Technology in Behavioral Health Practice (3 credits) – online
  • CAS 663 – Virtual Client Engagement in Behavioral Health Practice (3 credits) – online

*Varied topics available: i.e., Women, Co-occurring, Process Addictions, Supervision

  • CAS 660 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (3 credits) – online
  • CAS 712R The Neurosciences of Addiction (3 credits) – inperson
  • CAS 759 Assessment, Treatment, and Case Management (3 credits) – inperson
  • CAS 760 Advanced Addiction Counseling in Community Settings (3 credits) – inperson
  • CAS 761 Couple and Family Treatment of Addictions (3 credits) – inperson
  • CAS 791 Independent Study 

*Note: only one course from the Tele-behavioral Health Services online course series will apply to this certificate. These courses are detailed below and include CAS 661, 662, and 663. 

Students pursuing the advanced certificate who have previously completed the undergraduate minor or certificate in addiction treatment services should not enroll in CAS 674 as it would be repetitive.  Additionally, graduate versions of previously completed undergraduate courses should also be avoided due to repetitiveness of course material.

Individuals who already have a master’s degree and are clinically licensed (i.e., Psychologist, MFT, CPC, MSW) may pursue an abbreviated program of study in order to waive clinical internship hours for Alcohol and Drug Counselor licensure.  Such individuals should seek advisement from the Academic Program Manager.

This Advanced Certificate meets the state of Nevada Board of Examiners (BOE) for Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors educational requirements and students who complete this program will have the required 12 semester units in addiction treatment services needed to reduce the number practical experience hours from 4,000 to 1,500 hours prior to applying for certification OR it could apply 18 of the required 24 semester hours courses relating to counseling to qualify a current degree as a degree in a “field of social science” according to NAC 641.c.070 and therefore lead to licensure. For more information on LADC requirements please review the “Do You Want to Become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)” flowchart and visit NV BOE’s website.

Please keep in mind, certification and licensure boards in different states and territories most often require that other criteria also be met for certification or licensure/endorsement. CASAT has created a list of states in which our program curricula may meet professional certification or licensure requirements. For more information on certified or licensed drug and alcohol counselor requirements by state please refer to the Certification and License Disclosure by State page.

Application requirements:

  • Complete application below
  • Submit cv/resume and unofficial transcripts via instructions provided on application.

Application Deadlines:

  • Fall – August 1st
  • Spring – November 1st
  • Summer – April 1st

A student funding opportunity may be available. For more information and to see eligibility requirements go to the Student Funding Request (ACP) page.

Academic Program Manager Contact Information

Terra Hamblin, MA, NCC, BC-TMH
thamblin@casat.org
CASAT Office: 775.784.6265