Addiction Studies

TBD, Program Chairperson
Addiction Studies
Julian Hall, Room 305
Telephone: 605-677-5386
Fax: 605-677-6591
Email: ads@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/ads

FACULTY

Assistant Professors:

John Korkow, PhD., CCDC III, SAP, University of South Dakota
Diane Sevening, EdD., CCDC III, University of South Dakota

Instructor:

Mary Merrigan, MA, LPC, CCDC III, University of South Dakota

Online Faculty:

Mary Rogers, PhD., LAC, University of North Dakota
Erin Nielsen, JD, CCDC III, University of South Dakota
John Stoddard, MA, CCDC III, University of South Dakota
Frank Zavadil, MA, CCDC III, University of South Dakota
Abby Myers, MA, CPS, University of South Dakota

DEGREE:

Online Master of Arts in Addiction Studies

CERTIFICATE:

Online Graduate Certificate in Addiction Studies

Online Master of Arts in Addiction Studies Program Description

The ADS department is accredited through the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC).

All courses required for state Alcohol/Drug Certification are provided at the University of South Dakota by the Addiction Studies Department and are the only USD courses specific to alcohol/drug studies that have been approved by The South Dakota State Certification Board for Alcohol and Drug Professionals.

The Online Master of Arts (M.A.) in Addiction Studies prepares substance abuse professionals for advanced levels of competency to address current and future addiction/prevention challenges in society. Practicing professionals need graduate-level knowledge to address the complexities of today’s client. Graduates of the degree will be eligible to the highest level of addiction/prevention credentialing through the South Dakota Certification Board for Alcohol and Drug Professionals. Participants should contact their State Chemical Dependency Certifying Body to assure courses meet certification. Requirements may differ from state to state. For details regarding South Dakota’s certification standards, please refer to the Certification Standards Manual of the South Dakota Certification Board for Alcohol & Drug Professionals.

The M.A. can be completed in as little as 33 credit hours, or as many as 45, depending on your Certification and academic background.

Master of Arts in Addiction Studies Admission Requirements:

Completed Graduate Application Form.
$35 application fee.
Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree as verified by official transcripts.
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) for provisional admission status or a 3.0 or higher for full admission status.
One year professional experience and/or supervised clinical/volunteer experience preferred. Each applicant will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Statement of Purpose (250-word minimum).
Resume.
Official Transcripts from all institution of higher learning attended.
Three (3) professional letters of recommendation.
Applicants must provide a copy of a photo ID.
Applicants must complete a face-to-face interview. If applicant is not from the region, the interview can be completed via Skype or Elluminate.
Applicants must complete a background check prior to admission. Clearance can be completed by Verified Credentials, Inc. Please follow the instructions as directed on their website: Verified Credentials, Inc. You will be required to provide identifying information as well as a payment source. Results will be certified and returned to you as well as the ADS department.

Addiction Studies Graduate Certificate Program Description

The online certificate in Addiction Studies is an innovative 15 credit hour program that prepares addiction professionals to meet the increasingly complex needs of alcohol/drug patients, as well as the increasing educational and professional expectations of employers. Additionally, ADS courses are offered for graduate credit and may be used as supporting course credit or as electives.

The program focuses on evidence-based addiction education enabling professionals to provide the highest quality addiction counseling to individuals dealing with substance abuse or addiction. The completion of this certificate program prepares addiction professionals to meet fifteen (15) of the twenty-seven (27) credit hours required for South Dakota state alcohol/drug certification as Level III. Participants should contact their state certifying body to assure courses meet certification as requirements may differ from state to state.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS (requires all of the following):

Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree as verified by official transcripts
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
Statement of Purpose
Background check