45 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours
Addiction Counseling and Prevention Vermillion Campus and Online
The Addiction Counseling and Prevention (ACP) Department offers a Bachelor of Science Degree which is unique and innovative in that it is one of only a few four-year degrees of its kind in the region. This model program positively impacts one of the nation’s major health issues, alcohol and other drugs. Alcohol/other drugs appear to affect every culture, facet and discipline in life. Theoretical knowledge regarding the nature, etiology, prevention, and treatment of alcohol/other drug issues provides students with a multidisciplinary approach for career opportunities. Students will develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through practical applications of knowledge gained. Graduates of the degree will be eligible for addiction/prevention credentialing through the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals (SDBAPP). Participants should contact their state addiction and prevention certification/licensure board to assure courses meet requirements for certification. Requirements may differ from state to state. For details regarding South Dakota’s certifying standards, please refer to the SDBAPP manual.
The ACP Department is accredited through the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission.
The Addiction Counseling and Prevention (ACP) curriculum is fully sanctioned by the South Dakota Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals.
Admission: ACP majors of sophomore standing (a minimum of 32 total semester hours) must apply for formal admission to the major. Minimum admission requirements are: completion of ACP 116, ACP 117, ACP 220 and ACP 222 with at least the grade of “C” and a 2.5 overall grade point average. A successful criminal background check is also required for admission into the major and must be completed and approved by the Health Sciences Background Check Committee. Health Science majors need to have health insurance.
No credit hours may be awarded for “life experiences” toward the ACP major.
Please contact for the department for further details on the Admissions Process, 605-658-5950.
45 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours
- ACP core courses (30 credit hours)
- Specialization (6 credit hours)
- Electives (9 credit hours)
The ACP Department requires a grade of “C” or higher in all courses that are completed for the ACP Major.
Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification
The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage. Licensure-Track Programs
If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the USD’s State Authorization webpage.
State Authorization
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