Welcome to Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the first of its kind in Michigan and the first university-based training clinic in Michigan to address the criminal justice population of substance abusers.
Since 1973, the Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SPADA) has been preparing professionals in the area of substances abuse. SPADA educates students in state of the art, evidence-based theories and techniques and prepares them for State and National certification through coursework and training in clinic internships.
The program engages in applied research through faculty and student research teams and has been awarded over 30 million dollars in grants and contracts to support these activities. Through these research activities, SPADA is able to transfer the results of research to practice quickly to enhance the quality of work in the profession.
You can pursue undergraduate and graduate studies through SPADA; both programs are highly accessible, with training available at ten SPADA training clinics throughout Michigan. SPADA offers its graduate program on the main WMU Campus and campus branches in Battle Creek, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. The SPADA undergraduate program is offered on the main WMU campus as well as worldwide, online, through Western Michigan University’s Distance Education Division.
We welcome your inquiry and interest in the SPADA and encourage you to view the pages of this site and to contact us for further information.
Sincerely,
Dennis Simpson, Ed.D.
Program Director