Requirements for Master of Arts in Addictions Counseling
The M.A. in Addictions Counseling (MAAC) program is designed to meet the educational requirements for credentialing as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I, II, or III) in Oregon and Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) in Washington; additional, supervised experience will be required for certification after graduation. Addictions counselors may seek employment in substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, outpatient mental health centers, and more.
The MAAC students take most classes in concert with the M.A. Counseling (cohorts). Therefore, the ideal time to begin the MAAC program is during the spring semester, when the cohort launches. However, MAAC students may have the option to begin coursework out of sequence every 8-weeks, when a new class begins. Coursework is offered mostly online, with 90-minute meetings one evening a week on Zoom and a variety of asynchronous course requirements each week; students are also typically required to complete three on-campus residencies during the program. The program is typically completed at a part-time pace, taking students two years and four months (i.e. seven semesters); options may be available to complete the program more quickly if desired.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete required 36 program credits (below) with at least 18 credits earned at Multnomah.
- Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
- Satisfactorily complete all required courses with a grade of C- or higher.
- Complete a minimum of 10 hours of personal counseling.
- Normally complete the program within a four-year period from the date of matriculation.
- Complete all general graduation requirements as listed earlier in this section.
Required: 36 semester hours; minimum 3.0 GPA.
| COU 500 | Professional Orientation | 1 |
| COU 520 | Legal & Ethical Issues in Counseling | 3 |
| COU 525 | Foundational Counseling Skills | 3 |
| COU 555 | Diagnosis & Psychopathology | 3 |
| COU 575 | Research I | 1 |
| COU 620 | Advanced Counseling Skills & Treatment Planning | 3 |
| COU 640 | Group Dynamics and Counseling | 3 |
| COU 643 | Social & Cultural Diversity | 3 |
| COU 655 | Addictions (Treatment) | 2 |
| COU 665 | Trauma | 2 |
| COU 653 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| COU 650 | Couples, Families and Other Systems | 2 |
| COU 535 | Religion, Spirituality and Counseling | 1 |
| COU 631 | Addiction Pharmacology & Assessment | 2 |
| COU 651 | SUD in Couples, Families and Other Systems | 1 |
| | Electives | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
3 elective credits can be in electives/senior seminar, internship, or thesis work related to addiction counseling.
Click here to download recommended program layout.