Western Connecticut State University

What you'll study

Core instruction covers clinical assessment, counseling methods, psychopharmacology related to substance use, and practicum experiences. Explicitly listed core courses include:

• PSY 592 Substance Use Counseling: Assessment and Counseling (offered every Fall)
• PSY 593 Substance Use Counseling: Psychopharmacology (offered every Spring, partial title shown)

The curriculum includes a supervised internship; students learn to develop treatment plans, lead individual, family and group counseling, apply DSM criteria for SUD and co-occurring diagnoses, design risk-reduction interventions, and conduct program reviews of addiction services.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution and submit an online application with a $50 fee. One official transcript from each prior institution is required (electronic transcripts may be sent to graduateadmissions@wcsu.edu). A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 is expected for consideration; applicants below this benchmark should contact the program coordinator and may be asked to complete prerequisites. Admission includes an interview with the department admissions committee. While a psychology major is not required, applicants are encouraged to document relevant coursework or experience in research methods, DSM familiarity, and applied psychology.

Advanced standing is available for candidates with documented competency in SUD counseling (exemplary undergraduate coursework and field placements), reducing the program to 30–31 credits. WCSU undergraduates who completed three courses in the department's Substance Use Counseling sequence plus a relevant field placement and a 3.0 GPA may apply for advanced standing. External candidates who completed a Connecticut DARC program (NASAC-accredited) with an internship and a baccalaureate degree may also be considered for advanced standing.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as addiction counselor, supervisor, team leader, inpatient manager, outpatient coordinator and other positions within substance use disorder services. The program notes strong local demand for addiction counselors in Connecticut and that many students obtain employment before or upon graduation, which helps satisfy the LADC supervised work experience requirement.

Scholarships & funding angle

The course materials do not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult WCSU's Office of Graduate Studies and departmental contacts for information on potential graduate assistantships, institutional scholarships, state funding, or external grants; employers in the addiction-treatment field may also offer tuition support for staff pursuing licensure-related education.