Addictions Counseling, M.A.

Major Code: 5641

The Oklahoma state legislature created a license for substance abuse counselors in 2004. Among the innovations contained in this law was the requirement that a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) not only have a master’s degree but that the degree shall be in “…alcohol and substance abuse counseling…” or a master’s degree in a behavioral science or counseling related field which is “content- equivalent” to a graduate degree in alcohol and substance abuse counseling. The law also specifies knowledge areas known as “the twelve core functions” as well as graduate hours (Title 59. Chapter 43B-Licensed Alcohol and Drug).

The graduate degree in substance abuse studies will assist students to develop their skills not only in the therapeutic areas, but also in the area of social advocacy for better treatment/facilities. Leadership/management skill development will be stressed in order to keep pace with the field’s quickly evolving standards of best practices and legal/political changes. Moreover, the graduate degree will promote sound research supporting proper advancements in the treatment of the debilitating diseases of substance abuse and dependency. Training students to be competent licensed professionals in their field supports both primary goals of the UCO Mission Statement: 1) to provide excellent education enabling students to achieve their intellectual, professional, personal, and creative potential; and 2) to contribute to the intellectual, cultural, economic and social advancement of the communities and individuals it serves.

Contacts

Graduate Advisor: Dr. J. Keith Killian
Email: jkillian@uco.edu
Office: LAN 203E
Phone: 405 - 974 - 5534

Admission Requirements

Submit the following items to:

Jackson College of Graduate Studies

100 N. University Drive, NUC 404
Edmond, OK 73034

Online application for admission (www.uco.edu/graduate/).
Official copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts from each institution attended with all degrees posted. All transcripts must be from accredited institutions.
A student may be admitted by one of the two following methods:
- A minimum 2.75 GPA overall OR
- 3.00 GPA in the last 60 hours.
Applications will be accepted from candidates possessing a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from an appropriately accredited university/college.
Applicants shall submit a one (1) page paper at the time of application stating, “Why I will be successful as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.”
Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted by someone you have known academically or professionally for a minimum of two years. Letters of recommendation are requested through the online application portal.Students with a native language other than English must submit evidence of English language proficiency. See Admission to Graduate Studies - English Language Proficiency.
Students falling below these standards may qualify for conditional admission.

Other Requirements

Plan of Study. Each student must file a plan of study with his/ her graduate program advisor and the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) by the end of the first semester of graduate work. The plan must be signed and dated by the student and the graduate program advisor before it can be considered official.
Thesis or equivalent option:
- Thesis option: Complete an acceptable thesis and successfully defend it in public. Send two paper copies and one electronic copy of the thesis to the library through Proquest, and submit the thesis’ title page, original signature page, summary and abstract page to the JCGS.
- Field/Independent study option: Complete field research in Substance Abuse Treatment outcome and Clinical Evaluation as guided by the SAS graduate program advisor, submitting the results in paper form to the graduate advisor. (Three to six hours credit). This research report will be presented in an appropriate setting as designated by the SAS graduate program advisor. (e.g., Graduate classroom, Symposium, Awareness event, etc.).
Academic Standards. Meet the following coursework standards:
- Overall GPA of 3.00 or higher;
- No more than six hours of “C” and,
- No more than six advisor-approved hours from traditional correspondence course.
- Thirty-six hours of the required curriculum
- Three to six hours of practicum.
Final Requirements. Apply for graduation through the JCGS by advertised deadline.

Graduation Requirements

Required Courses: 42-45 Hours

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 42-45 Hours

Accelerated Degree Pathway: BA to MA

Accelerated Degree Pathway students who are accepted into B.A. in Sociology or Sociology - Substance Abuse Studies, may apply to take 5000-level courses up to a maximum of nine hours during their senior year of the bachelor’s degree. These courses will count toward both the B.A. degree and M.A. in Addictions Counseling. The approved graduate courses are: SAS 5313 Advanced Family Counseling , SAS 5523 Cultural Sensitivity Add Tmnt , SAS 5353 Advanced Group Dynamics . These courses are specified on the degree sheet. During the last semester of their junior year or within 30 hours of graduation, an undergraduate student with a 3.0 overall GPA may apply for admission to the Accelerated Degree Pathway.

Accelerated Degree Pathway (ADP) Requirements