SMWC adds BS in Addictions Counseling and Post-Bachelor’s Addictions Counseling Certificate

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) announced the addition of a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Addictions Counseling and a Post Bachelor’s Certificate in Addictions Counseling. Both will be available for fall 2022.

“We are pleased to be able to offer new educational programs that align with other strong academic programs in psychology and social sciences at The Woods and are a good fit for our mission. These pathways are designed for both traditional and non-traditional students to complete and become eligible for licensure in an area of high need,” said Janet Clark, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The BS in Addictions Counseling will be offered both on-campus and online. The program will provide the opportunity to elevate the skills and training of behavioral health workers in rural Indiana who want to practice in and improve their own communities. It is designed with a focus on trauma-informed treatment which is a more complete form of treatment, helping to improve patient engagement and outcomes. Once the degree is obtained, students are qualified to sit for the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) exam.

For those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field who have an interest in addictions counseling, SMWC’s new Post Bachelor’s Certificate in Addictions Counseling will provide a student with the necessary courses to prepare for the LAC exam. This course will be offered in a hybrid format with online classes and onsite learning at community partners’ sites. This program is also designed with a focus on trauma-informed treatment.

Tracy Richardson, Ph.D., MT-BC, and dean of the division of arts and social sciences said, “Addiction to substances is on the rise nationwide, yet there is a shortage of treatment professionals. SMWC is addressing that need by creating the Post-Bachelor’s Certificate in Addictions Counseling and the BS in Addictions Counseling degree. Students who complete one of these programs and the required supervised experiences that follow will be eligible to take the LAC exam in Indiana and become Licensed Addictions Counselors. We believe these students will make a positive impact on many lives in Indiana.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth for behavioral disorder counselors was 11.9% and the projected employment for 2019 through 2028 is expected to grow by 17.6% in the five-state area of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky according to Burning Glass Technologies.