Certificate
Beginning Fall 2022, All CCACS courses, except for SOWK 5368, will move to fully asynchronous formats.
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Addiction Counseling Studies (CCACS)
Application Deadlines for Domestic Applicants:
Summer Semester - April 15th
Fall Semester - July 15th
Spring Semester - November 15th
Application Deadlines for International Applicants:
Summer Semester - February 18
Fall Semester - April 18
Spring Semester - September 18
About the CCACS
Students admitted to the graduate CCACS program have a unique opportunity to begin
preparation for licensure/certification as alcohol and drug abuse counselors. Courses
are conveniently offered through an asynchronous virtual learning platform. Four courses
are included in the CCACS program for a total of 12 credit hours. Most state licensure/certification
boards will accept the certificate as 180 hours (45 hours per course) of addiction
specific education required for licensure or certification as alcohol and drug counselors,
and/or licensure as clinical addiction specialist (LADAC, CAADC, LCAS, etc.).
The four courses include the following:
- SOWK 5367* Seminar in Alcohol and Other Drugs - (fall, spring, & summer semesters). This course will change to SOWK 5300 in the fall of 2023.
- SOWK 5368 Clinical Practice in Addiction Treatment and Prevention – (offered each fall semester). This course includes 8 consecutive zoom group meetings (8:00-9:15pm) as part of a class project
- SOWK 5369 Science of Addiction for Behavioral Health Professionals - (offered each spring semester)
- SOWK 5370 Cultural Humility in Addiction Treatment and Prevention - (offered each summer semester)
CCACS Admission Requirements
In addition to the admissions criteria set by the ETSU School of Graduate Studies,
students must meet the following criteria for admission to the CCACS program:
- Bachelor's degree in a behavioral health discipline (social work, psychology, counseling, or human services) from a regionally accredited institution. Or, the applicant is a current graduate student in a behavioral health discipline
- Minimum undergraduate point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Completed Application materials listed below
Application materials which must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies include:
1. A completed application (click here);
2. An essay describing reason for pursuing the certificate (400 words);
3. Three (3) letters of recommendation;
4. Official transcripts from all colleges attended; and
5. A resume or CV.
All applicants will be evaluated by an admissions committee. First preference for admission will be given to candidates who seek dual admission to both the MSW program and the CCACS and those who are current ETSU graduate students. Only current MSW students dually enrolled in the CCACS are eligible for the field practicum and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) supervision. Timely submission of application materials is encouraged as space is limited.
CCACS Program Requirements for current ETSU MSW Students
*Note: This section only applies to current ETSU students of the MSW program* and
those applying to both the MSW and the CCACS programs. Only current MSW students dually enrolled in the CCACS are eligible for the field practicum and
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (LADAC) supervision.
In addition to the application process required by the School of Graduate Studies, ETSU MSW students must submit an MSW Statement of Interest (SOI). Click here to complete the MSW SOI form.
There are three elements to the CCACS for MSW students: (1) four courses, (2) field practicum, and (3) CCACS approved supervision. Each course is equivalent to 3 credit hours or 45 contact hours. A total of 12 credit hours (180 contact hours) of addiction specific education is completed for the CCACS. MSW students may apply CCACS courses to their MSW program as electives. In addition to the educational requirements, MSW CCACS students will complete their field experience in an appropriate SUD/Addiction setting and receive supervision by a qualified supervisor.
1. COURSES
- SOWK 5367* Seminar in Alcohol and Other Drugs - (fall, spring, & summer semesters). This course will change to SOWK 5300 in the fall of 2023.
- SOWK 5368 Clinical Practice in Addiction Treatment and Prevention – (offered each fall semester). This course includes 8 consecutive zoom group meetings (8:00-9:15pm) as part of a class project
- SOWK 5369 Science of Addiction for Behavioral Health Professionals - (offered each spring semester)
- SOWK 5370 Cultural Humility in Addiction Treatment and Prevention - (offered each summer semester)
- (SOWK 5368, 5369, & 5370 require acceptance into the CCACS to register)
2. FIELD PLACEMENT
The MSW student's concentration year field placement must be in a SUD, co-occurring disorder, or integrated care treatment/prevention setting, and a minimum of 600 contact hours must be completed. It is crucial that MSW CCACS candidates inform the Field Director or cohort Field Coordinator of their interest in the CCACS program as soon as possible, as CCACS approved placements are limited.Only current MSW students are eligible to receive CCACS field practicum assistance as this is a required component of the MSW curriculum.
3. SUPERVISION
Students who complete their field placements in an approved SUD/addiction setting, and who have an approved SUD/addiction supervisor, may be able to count their field internship hours towards the experiential hours required for state licensure as addiction counselors and clinical addiction specialists. It is ideal for the supervisor to hold both an MSW degree and the appropriate state credential(s) for alcohol and drug abuse counseling supervision (e.g. LCSW, LCAS, CCS; LCSW, LADAC II, QCS).
- TN: In addition to the required MSW supervision, Tennessee CCACS students must be supervised by a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor LADAC II who also holds a Qualified Clinical Supervisor Certificate (QCS).
- NC: In addition to the required MSW supervision, North Carolina CCACS students must be supervised by a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) who also holds a Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS or CSI) credential.
- VA: In addition to the required MSW supervision, Virginia students must be supervised
by a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) or a clinician with an
equivalent credential or license.
*It is important to note that the CCACS program and state licensure/certification are two separate processes.*
Application Process for ETSU MSW Students
- Complete the Statement of Interest (SOI).
- Complete the Graduate Studies Application specific to the CCACS program.
- Submit an essay describing the reason for pursuing the certificate (400 words)
- Submit three (3) letters of recommendation
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
- Submit a resume or CV
State Licensure and Certification Boards
The graduate Certificate in Clinical Addiction Counseling Studies (CCACS) and state licensure are two distinct processes. The CCACS does not grant graduates licensure or certification at the state level, although it may be helpful to meet state requirements for credentialing. It is the student's responsibility to follow through with their state's requirements to obtain licensure or certification. Requirements may vary by state.
- North Carolina Addictions Specialist Practice Board
- Tennessee Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
- Virginia Certification Board
- Virginia Counseling Board
- Tennessee Certification Board
Why Become Dually Credentialed?
View this video from the North Carolina Governor's Institute to learn about the value of becoming credentialed as both a clinical social worker and a clinical addiction specialist (LCAS, LADAC II, CAADAC).
For More Information:
Jesse D. Gilreath, LCSW
Assistant Professor
ETSU, Department of Social Work
gilreathj@etsu.edu
423-439-6016
Other Helpful Contacts
Admissions Team
(graduate application assistance)
ETSU, School of Graduate Studies
gradadmissions@.etsu.edu
423-439-4221
Laurie Webb
Director of MSW Field Education
ETSU, Department of Social Work
webbll@etsu.edu
423-439-3007