2024-2025 General Catalog

Certificate in Advanced Addiction Studies

The Certificate in Advanced Addiction Studies (CPAAS) is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work with individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The impact of addiction on the individual, families, and society is addressed.

The sequence of courses in the Certificate in Advanced Addiction Studies offers a holistic and integrative approach to working with substance use and related disorders. Individualized services informed by evidence-based practices are explored. Areas covered include theories of addiction, current intervention strategies, ethics, communication skills, comprehensive case management, documentation, relapse prevention, and the recovery process. Strong consideration is given to culture, diversity, stigmatization, and special populations as related to substance use recovery. A model of personal and professional growth is presented to promote resilience and longevity for counselors in the field of addiction.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Promote the integration of practical psychological knowledge with formal academic learning.
  2. Foster growth in intellectual accomplishment and an opportunity to develop an executive level perspective on practices in the behavioral sciences.
  3. Provide graduate study that does not commit to a full graduate program, but allows learners an option to pursue a graduate degree program upon the successful completion of the graduate certificate program in the behavioral sciences.
  4. Promote the acquisition of psychological concepts, principles, standards, and processes as it relates to the behavioral sciences.
  5. Encourage legal and ethical behavior as it relates to the behavioral sciences.
  6. Encourage ethical behavior regarding information technology skills as it applies to mental health environments.
  7. Promote the analysis and evaluation of information critically and effectively.
  8. Foster the integration of an understanding and awareness of human diversity as it relates to the behavioral sciences.

Licensure and Certification

The Certificate in Advanced Addiction Studies provides 270 hours of SUD specific education. The optional practicum experience may be required for some levels of certification. This program is approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). It is also approved by the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). For more information on how to become California and/or nationally certified/licensed, contact CCAPP at www.ccapp.us and/or NAADAC at www.naadac.org

CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the field of addiction treatment in the following states: CA, MD, NV, UT. Some states may have additional requirements that are not part of the curriculum, but which can be satisfied at CalSouthern.

CalSouthern has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the field of addiction treatment in the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY. 

Required Courses (18 Total Credits Required)

PSY 6511Substance Use and Related Disorders

3

PSY 6309Advanced Ethical and Professional Issues in Addiction Counseling

3

PSY 7534Dual Diagnosis

3

PSY 7307Advanced Physiology and Pharmacology of Addiction

3

PSY 7007Advanced Case Management: Assessment, Treatment Planning, Relapse Prevention And Aftercare

3

PSY 7316Advanced Personal and Professional Wellness for the Substance Abuse Counselor

3

Optional Course

PSY 7508Supervised Practicum in Advanced Addiction Studies

6

While California Southern University, as a member of the AIU System, is part of a Title IV eligible institution offering Title IV eligible programs, CalSouthern has elected and designated this program as not participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs. This means students enrolling in this program may not use Federal Student Aid to help pay for this program. Instead, it offers a variety of zero interest payment options for students.