Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate

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Starting Fall 2022

Meet the high demand for social workers with the specialized knowledge and skills to address the needs of individuals, families, groups, and the broader community facing the challenges of substance abuse.

Alverno's Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate is a post-baccalaureate credential available to Alverno Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)* graduates. The certificate provides three courses which, combined with your BSW, will prepare you to apply for the Substance Abuse Counselor-in-Training licensure from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services**. Having this extra licensure can better prepare you for your career as well as increase your employment opportunities.

Courses will be hands-on and interactive, covering material that is field- and evidence-based. You will learn from professional social workers with years of experience, preparing you to assess, intervene, and evaluate for substance abuse with a respectful, holistic approach.

* At this time, this Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate is only open to graduates of the Alverno College Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program.

** No determinations have been made by Alverno about the requirements for Counselor-in-Training licensure in any other states. Please check with your local department of safety and professional services.

Ready to get started? Sign up here!

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Course requirements

• SAC 420 (two credits): This course will meet four Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: August 27, September 3, 10 & 17, 2022
• SAC 440 (two credits): This course will meet over eight Tuesday evenings from 5:10-8 p.m.: September 20 & 27, October 4, 11, 18 & 25, and November 1 & 8, 2022
• SAC 460 (two credits): This course will meet four Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: November 12 & 19 and December 3 & 10, 2022

Please note: All courses are in-person.

Course Descriptions

SAC 420: Substance Abuse Rehabilitation

Considered a gateway into the substance abuse counseling program, this course will provide students with an overview of the field of substance abuse including its history, mission, values and ethics, theoretical frameworks, various practice areas, and philosophy of substance abuse counseling. Students gain exposure to the professional role in regards to cultural competency, social justice, social welfare, and social policy.

SAC 440: Psychopharmacology

In this course, students will acquire substance abuse counseling knowledge and skills in psychopharmacology. Topics include street drugs, treatment, and connection to clients, concept application, and documentation practices. The main focus of this course is to learn, understand, and process the holistic array of drugs and their interactions with the human body.

SAC 460: Mental Health & Substance Abuse: Individuals, Groups, & Families

In this final course, students will acquire substance abuse counseling knowledge and skills in the intervention level of individuals, groups, and families through social work practice. These include client interviewing, evidence-based assessments, interpersonal skills, theory application, and documentation practices.

Registration fees

• $350 per credit ($700 per course, $2,100 for 3-course certificate)
• Please note that there may be additional fees for course materials, etc.