Certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling

Named the first certificate program in the state of Ohio to earn accreditation from the Ohio Board of Chemical Dependency Counseling Professionals, the Cleveland State University Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate is a joint program between our Counseling and Social Work programs, designed to prepare counselors and social workers for specialization in addictions counseling, based in the latest research in addictions studies.  The five-course sequence (12 credits), is accepted by the OBCDP as meeting the educational requirements for licensure and can be completed in one summer semester, with course offerings in the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters for optimum schedule flexibility. All of the courses can be taken entirely online but some courses provide in-person attendance options for students who prefer in-person learning. The program is designed to meet the academic credentials for all three levels of Chemical Dependency Counseling issued by the state of Ohio:

• Level 1:  Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II (LCDC-II)
• Level 2:  Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor III (LCDC-III)
• Level 3:  Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC)

In addition to Levels 1, 2, and 3 as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, the CDCA (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) is another option for students, which is summarized below:

• Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA I) can be obtained after completing SWK 494 (undergraduate level) or SWK 694 (graduate level).  This endorsement is valid for 13 months.
• Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDCA II) can be earned after students hold their CDCA I for at least 10 months.  The CDCA II is renewable every two years for life.

To learn more about eligibility, application, and coursework, and supervised field hours requirements for the LCDC-II, LCDC-III, LICDC, and CDCA I and II.

Please visit the Bursar's webpage for current information on tuition and fees.

Career Opportunities

• One of the fastest growing job markets in the mental health disciplines is chemical dependency counseling. 
• According to an Ohio Department of Labor Task Force, there will be a large number of retirements of chemical dependency professionals in Northeast Ohio between 2007 and 2017.  This means that there will be a large demand for incoming graduates to fill the vacant positions. 
• Students will be able to place the letters CDCA after their name, distinguish their resume, and enhance their job marketability.
• Students who major in a field where it is difficult to obtain a license, such as a bachelor's degree in psychology, have an opportunity to work in the field as a counseling professional.

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Admission Requirements

All students holding a master's in counseling or social work, or who are currently enrolled within such a program at CSU, are eligible for the graduate certificate program. Students who hold a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science are also eligible to take all five certificate courses. Students who have a high school diploma, who enroll as a degree seeking or nondegree seeking student, are eligible to take SWK 494. 

Application Deadline:  No deadline.  Applications accepted on a rolling basis and students can begin the program during any semester.

Certification Requirements:  Certificates are processed once the Graduate Certificate Completion Form is completed by the student and Faculty Advisor.

Course Schedule

FALL SEMESTER	CREDIT HOURS	DAYS AND TIMES
CNS 501 – Chemical Dependency:  Assessment, Prevention, Treatment	4 credits	Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
CNS 502 – Pharmacology of Addiction	1 credit	Saturdays (3 Saturdays for 4 hours each). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
CNS 503 – Legal Ethical Issues in Substance Dependence	1 credit	Saturdays (3 Saturdays for 4 hours each). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
SWK 615 - Group Work Practice (or CNS 623 for counselor education students)	3 credits	Web-based
SWK 694 – Theories and Procedures in Addictions Studies	3 credits	Web-based
SPRING SEMESTER	CREDIT HOURS	DAYS AND TIMES
CNS 501 – Chemical Dependency:  Assessment, Prevention, Treatment	4 credits	Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
CNS 502 – Pharmacology of Addiction	1 credit	Saturdays (3 Saturdays for 4 hours each). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
CNS 503 – Legal Ethical Issues in Substance Dependence	1 credit	Saturdays (3 Saturdays for 4 hours each). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
SWK 615 - Group Work Practice (or CNS 623 for counselor education students)	3 credits	Web-based
SWK 694 – Theories and Procedures in Addictions Studies	3 credits	Web-based
SUMMER SEMESTER	CREDIT HOURS	DAYS AND TIMES
CNS 501 – Chemical Dependency:  Assessment, Prevention, Treatment	4 credits	Monday, Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. (Summer Session 1). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
CNS 502 – Pharmacology of Addiction	1 credit	Saturdays (3 Saturdays for 4 hours each, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Summer Session 1). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
CNS 503—Legal Ethical Issues in Substance Dependence	1 credit	Saturdays (3 Saturdays for 4 hours each, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; Summer Session 2). (Face to face or virtual attendance options)
SWK 615 - Group Work Practice (or CNS 623 for counselor education students)	3 credits	Web-based
SWK 694 – Theories and Procedures in Addictions Studies	3 credits	Web-based

Downloadable Forms 

Graduate Certificate in Chemical Dependency - Program of Study

Graduate Certificate Completion Form