Department of Psychology

The program is designed to provide drug and alcohol abuse counselors and others who wish to pursue this profession with the knowledge and experience needed to prepare for state certification or licensure as an addiction counselor.  It is a total of 36 credit hours over 4 semesters based on 3 courses each fall and spring semesters.

The program recognizes that drug and alcohol addiction and treatment are complex topics driven by an array of biological, genetic, neural, psychological, social, and cultural forces.

The program will help students acquire information about assessment, psychopharmacology, evidence-based counseling methods, and addiction theory, and professional practice.

Students will study different addictions and how they affect the mind, body, and emotions.  Students will learn diagnostic formulation, documentation procedures, treatment planning, and facilitation of individual and group sessions.

The program consists of two components, didactic classroom instruction and "in the field" counseling experience.  The program recognizes that drug and alcohol addiction and treatment are complex topics driven by an array of biological, genetic, neural, psychological, social, and cultural forces.

The classroom instruction will provide students with a basic understanding of many of these forces, an array of drug and alcohol treatment procedures, theories of drug use and abuse, the addictions process and its mental health connections, pharmacology, core counselor functions, strategies for addressing addiction, and ethical considerations.

The field training component will pair students with seasoned professionals who will mentor them in all aspects of counseling substance abusers.  Field training exposes students to the practice of the core counselor functions including screening, intake, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, and record keeping.

Required Classroom Courses (7 courses)

Practicum in Applied Psychology (3 courses)

In addition to direct counseling and assessment, these courses address applications of research to improve treatment outcomes.

Electives (2 courses)

Admission Requirements:

Students are admitted to the Master of Science in Clinical Counseling program by the MSCC Admissions Committee of the Psychology Department.  To be considered for admission, students must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0.  GRE scores are recommended.  If the applicant is a recovering substance abuser, two years of continuous sobriety is strongly recommended.  Students with a GPA slightly below 3.0 for a recent degree, or students with a slightly lower GPA who are returning to college with relevant work experience in a health or human services agency may be admitted on probation.  Students admitted on probation must earn at least a B- in each of their first two classes and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in order to continue in the program.  The goal is to select applicants who can successfully complete graduate study and work successfully in the field of addictions counseling.  

Application For admittance Fall 2012 semester - Deadline June 1, 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Policies described below are in effect as of 5/10/2011 but are subject to change.

How many credits are required for the degree?

The program includes 36 credit hours (27 classroom hours and 9 practicum hours).

What are the undergraduate prerequisites for the master's program?

Prerequisites include 15 hours of Psychology, including introductory psychology, research methods, statistics, and abnormal psychology with grades of at least B-.

What is the best way to obtain letters of recommendation?

Letters must be on official letterhead or emailed from an institutional email address.

Letters from friends, relatives, and co-workers are unacceptable.

Call and schedule an appointment to speak with your recommender rather than requesting letters by email.

Professors from the courses you completed more than a few years ago cannot write an informed letter.

Most professors prefer 3-4 weeks to prepare letters, but may make exceptions if they are needed earlier.

Your recommenders should address such issues as your capability for graduate work, industriousness, motivation, perseverance, intellectual curiosity, and empathy.

Students must begin the program in the fall semester.  The degree can be completed in 4 consecutive semesters of full-time (9 credit hours) of enrollment.  Practicum courses may be offered during the summer. IUN reserves the right to conduct a limited criminal background check before students enroll for course work in order to ensure the applicant meets state licensing guidelines.

If I am accepted, can I defer my enrollment?

Enrollment may be deferred up to one year with written permission from the department chair.

Can I attend part-time?

Yes, but note that the maximum time to complete the degree is 8 semesters.  Students may not enroll in the practicum until they have completed P535, P641, and P624 which are offered only in the fall, so delays in completing these courses will lead to delays in practicum enrollment.  Practicum courses must be completed sequentially, not simultaneously.

What are the tuition and fees for graduate degrees?

Tuition and fees for degrees are reset every year by the Indiana University Board of Trustees.  For a complete list of current university fees, see the Bursar's web page.

Is financial aid available?

As of this time, there are no grants available for the master's program, but federal loans may be available.  Complete a FAFSA to confirm your eligibility. 

Financing a Grad School Education This article has helpful information concerning financial aid.

Will I be given credit for graduate work I have already completed?

Students may be given credit for up to 9 hours of required or relevant elective classes completed with a grade of B or better.  These credits will be evaluated only after admission.

Can I get credit for previous work experience?

If you have worked in the field of addictions counseling under a qualified supervisor, you may be eligible for up to 3 hours of practicum credit.  These credits will be evaluated after admission.

How does the program prepare students for licensing?

The program is specifically designed to help candidates master the background information needed to succeed on the licensing exam.  The curriculum does not include a specific test preparation course.

Note that in addition to completing the formal education requirements, applicants for the clinical addiction counselor license must have at least two years of clinical addiction counseling experience under appropriate supervision.  For details, see the document Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board: A compilation of the Indiana Code and Indiana Administrative Code, 2011 Edition.  Click on 2011 Statues and Rules and see Chapter 10.

What is the employment outlook for addictions counselors?

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook:

Employment of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to grow by 21 percent, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.  As society becomes more knowledgeable about addiction, more people are seeking treatment.  Furthermore, drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to prison.

Median annual wages of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in May 2008 were $37,030.  The middle 50 percent earned between $29,410 and 47,290.  The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,460.  Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest number of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors were as follows:

General medical and surgical hospitals.................................................... $44,130

Local governement.............................................................................  41,660

Outpatient care centers.......................................................................  36,650

Individual and family services..............................................................  35,210

Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance facilities...........  31,300

For additional information on the counseling profession published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, see http://www.bls.gov/oco/pdf/ocos067.pdf.