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Master of Science in Addiction Studies
Addiction Studies
Take your career in addictions counseling to the next level with an online MS in Addiction Studies from Capella. This program can help you improve your skills as you prepare to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
Learn to apply addiction intervention and prevention theories, models, and approaches to individuals and groups; gain skills that can help you deliver ethical, cultural, and ethnicity-sensitive services to clients in practical settings; and integrate your knowledge and skills to create treatment plans for clients with substance abuse disorders.
Classes start July 12
Use the code SPRING to waive the $50 application fee.
At a Glance
- Online & in-person
- 10 Core courses
- 1 Residency
- Internship
90% of counseling and human services alumni are satisfied with their Capella education.*
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2019–2020
Admission requirements
Applicants to the MS in Addiction Studies program must provide the following information for admission:
- A bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official bachelor’s transcripts, minimum grade point average of 2.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Your official transcripts from all previous educational institutions, including any graduate or professional school coursework
- Two letters of recommendation completed by professionals who can assess your aptitude for graduate education in marriage and family therapy (see details)
- Your résumé or curriculum vitae and a 3–6 page essay (see details)
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee, required at the time of application, to cover transcript requests, transcript evaluation, and other administrative costs
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International student requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
A structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$20,160–$26,880*
MAX TRANSFER CREDITS–TYPICAL TRANSFER CREDITS
$560 per credit, 48 total quarter credits, 12 max transfer credits
*This is only an estimate, using general program pricing, and it does not include fees (including application and resource kit fees). Your price may be higher or lower depending on your specialization, transfer credits, and tuition discounts. If transfer credits are allowed in this offering, the prices above show what you would pay if you brought in the average number of transfer credits and the price if you brought in the maximum allowed transfer credits.
Questions about cost?
Contact an enrollment counselor.
*Alumni Outcomes Survey, 2019–2020
"Substance abuse and process addictions impact everyone in some form or fashion. Clients, families, and communities can benefit from addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies, as well as policies at individual and systemic levels. Working with clients to overcome addiction is an immensely rewarding process."
Simone Lambert, PhD* – School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Faculty Member
*Actual Capella graduate who agreed to appear in promotional materials.
| ADD5106 |
Assessment of Addiction
Learners in this course examine the addiction-specific assessment process and apply assessment principles, measurement constructs, and testing strategies to evaluate diverse clients with a range of presenting issues. In addition, learners analyze screening and assessment results to diagnose substance-use disorders and determine goals and treatment recommendations. Learners also analyze legal, ethical, and cultural considerations related to screening and assessment in addiction treatment. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| ADD5107 |
Principles of Integrated Addiction and Mental Health Treatment
Learners in this course examine diagnostic categories, professional literature, and current issues associated with an integrated addiction treatment model. Learners also explore the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classifications and diagnostic issues associated with multicultural populations. |
4 quarter credits |
| COUN5258 |
Group Therapy and Treatment of Substance-Related and Addictive Behaviors
In this course, learners explore group counseling as an important aspect of addictions treatment, recovery, and relapse prevention. Learners develop a personal model of group treatment for substance-related and addictive disorders that is informed by counseling and group theories; ethical, legal, and cultural considerations; and group development models. For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior graduate certificate learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| COUN5260 |
Theories of Addiction Treatment
Learners in this course investigate the nature of addiction problems, studying various theories and models of addiction to evaluate the validity and efficacy of associated treatment approaches. Learners also utilize critical thinking skills in the application of theory to therapeutic work with specific populations. For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior graduate certificate learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
| COUN5261 |
Interventions for Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders
Learners in this course investigate current treatment interventions for substance-related and addictive disorders. In addition, learners evaluate diagnoses for substance-related and addictive disorders and apply appropriate treatment. Topics include inpatient and outpatient treatment options, self-help groups, the use of alternative treatment modalities, and continuum of care including community resources, relapse prevention, and recovery planning. For MS in Addiction Studies, MS in Marriage and Family Therapy, MSW, MSW—Advanced Standing, and Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior graduate certificate learners only. |
4 quarter credits |
Learning outcomes
This program will help prepare candidates to assess the information needs for effective strategy and innovation and identify, access, and collaborate on the appropriate sources for that information. On successful completion of this degree and specialization, you will be able to:
- Integrate and apply theory and scholarly research to solve business problems in multiple environments.
- Apply and communicate strategic approaches to business practice and planning.
- Develop and apply critical thinking to business problems and opportunities.
- Integrate internal and external data with analytical techniques to support evidence-based decision-making.
- Integrate ethical concepts and integrity into sustainable business models.
- Develop expertise within and across functional and cross-functional disciplines.
- Apply collaborative techniques to develop relationships, partnerships, and alliances.
This program offers knowledge of treatment and intervention skills. It is designed for graduates and professionals who want to help others overcome addiction. Students in this program focus on established standards, evidence-based practices, and ethics, including awareness and sensitivity to the complex needs of a multicultural society.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- Articulate knowledge, skills, and practices related to addiction treatment
- Apply addiction intervention and prevention theories, models, and approaches to individuals and groups
- Deliver ethical, cultural, and ethnicity-sensitive services to clients in practical settings
- Select appropriate assessment interventions to evaluate and develop a treatment plan for clients
- Analyze research and models of program evaluation for addiction treatment and prevention
- Integrate knowledge and skills to create treatment plans for clients with substance use disorders
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. While Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific career outcome, such as a job title, promotion, or salary increase, we encourage you to explore potential jobs and employment settings. Here are some ideas and examples for a graduate with a Master of Science in Addiction Studies.
Job titles to explore
- Addiction counselor/specialist
- Alcohol and drug abuse counselor/specialist
- Chemical dependency counselor/specialist
- Correctional substance abuse counselor/specialist
- Substance abuse counselor/specialist
- Recovery counselor/specialist
- Case manager/worker
Employment settings to explore
- Community mental health center
- Detoxification center
- Government – local, state, federal
- Group home
- Hospital
- Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation/treatment
- Juvenile detention center
- Outpatient treatment facility
- Prison system
- Probation/parole department
- Residential treatment center
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
This program features rigorous online coursework plus added support outside the courseroom to help you begin work immediately toward the next step in your career. Our licensure team will help support you through the license application process, and will be here for you even beyond graduation.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide evidence that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability.
See all our accreditations and recognitions.
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