Programs
The SPADA Program includes an Undergraduate Minor in Addiction Studies as well as a Graduate Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
SPADA also offers ADA2250, Drug Use: Personal and Social Impact, a course that fulfills general education requirements in Distribution Area VIII: Health and Well-being -- online or on campus! |
Undergraduate Minor in Addiction Studies
The SPADA Program minor can be completed in its entirety online, or in combination with on-campus coursework. The course credit hours may be applied to the educational requirement for the Certified Addictions Counselor Reciprocal (CAC-R) Credential.
A multidisciplinary program, the 18 credit-hour minor prepares students to effectively function with abuse issues in professional and personal arenas. It provides a balanced orientation between theory and practice and does not emphasize any single method for dealing with the problems of substance abuse. The minor addresses varied aspects of effective service delivery such as prevention, community education, assessment, treatment, program management, evaluation, and rehabilitation.
The Undergraduate Minor Curriculum
The curriculum consists of the following courses:
Addiction and the Addiction Process
ADA 3300
This fundamental course will focus on the various models and theories of addiction as well as the behavioral, psychological, physical, and social effects of substance abuse. An overview of the various medical and mental health conditions that may coexist with addiction is also included.
Clinical Approaches to Substance Use Disorders
ADA 3360
This course examines the various aspects of substance use disorder treatment processes and interventions. Students will learn about the development of an individualized treatment plan through the screening and intake processes that address an identified substance use disorder, as well as other issues related to the treatment process.
Substance Abuse Treatment Strategies
ADA 3370
Students will be introduced to a variety of helping strategies to use with substance abuse clients. This course will focus on treatment services, medical and pharmacological resources and crisis management.
Addiction Assessment, Recovery, and Illness Management
ADA 3380
Different philosophies, policies, and outcomes most generally accepted for the treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care of addiction are addressed in this course. There will also be a strong focus on how to include all resources within an individual’s life system to help them with their addictions.
Community Diversity in Substance Abuse Services
CECP 4840
Helps students understand diverse cultures and incorporate the relevant needs of culturally diverse groups, as well as people with disabilities, into clinical practice. Also examines ethical topics directly related to diverse populations, such as different strategies of coping and how various cultures view addiction and recovery.
Ethics in Substance Abuse Treatment
SWRK 4230
This course takes students from an initial understanding of personal value based decision making into professional/public value based decision making, resulting eventually in the application of models employed in the substance abuse field. In addition, this course will address legal and ethical issues as well as professional standards.
Admission Procedures for Minor
Current WMU students should contact the College of Health and Humans Services advising office -- (269) 387-3344 -- with questions about the minor or to declare the minor. Students in attendance at other colleges or universities may take these courses as a guest student without formal admission to the University. (Go toto learn how to become a guest student.) However, without formal admission students cannot obtain the SPADA minor. Technical questions regarding the online modality may be directed towards Academic Technology and Instructional Services at (269) 387-2847.
Graduate Certificate Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Western Michigan University offers a certificate in the Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SPADA). The program is a 21-credit hour specialization for working professionals and graduate students in counselor education and counseling psychology, occupational therapy, psychology, public administration, biological sciences, social work, sociology, and other related disciplines. The curriculum consists of 18 credit hours of required coursework and 3 credit hours of field practicum. Persons who have previously completed an undergraduate or graduate degree at another institution may also be eligible for enrollment. The course credit hours may be applied to the educational requirement for the Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor (CAAC) Credential the Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) Credential
In addition to the on-campus program, the entire graduate certificate course of study is offered through Western Michigan University's regional sites in Battle Creek, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Traverse City.
The Graduate Certificate Program Curriculum
The curriculum consists of the following 3-credit hour courses that must be completed in order to obtain the certificate:
* ADA 6060 or CECP 6340 or SWRK 6530
Causes of Substance Abuse
ADA 6110
Physical Aspects of Addictive Drugs
ADA 6115
Applied Neuropsychopharmacology of Addictive Drugs
ADA 6330
Special Populations in Addiction
* ADA 6340 or CECP 6360 or SWRK 6550
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care
ADA 6700
Professional Field Practicum
* Clinical Mental Health counseling students in the Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology (CECP) Department are required to complete these two courses.
Students will enroll in an appropriate field practicum course for their disciplines. Students must complete 360 clock hours of field experience in one or more placement settings that are engaged in providing substance abuse services. Students taking the SPADA program and a graduate degree program at the same time must carefully coordinate their field practicum with both their major and specialty advisors. All policies and procedures related to the field practicum are included in the program’s Field Practicum Manual available from the SPADA office. Professional experience outside the academic program may not be used to waive the field practicum requirement.
In addition to the above courses, students must take one of the following courses:
ADA 6400
Co-Occurring Disorders and Addictions
ADA 6410
Addiction in Family Systems
ADA 6420
Clinical Supervision of Addiction Services
Admission Procedures for Graduate Certificate
Students must submit a graduate certificate program application found at http://www.wmich.edu/apply/graduate/ and official transcripts to the university Office of Admissions and Orientation. Students wishing to combine the certificate program with a graduate degree program should apply for admission to the desired degree program. Also, applicants who have not been admitted to a graduate degree program must submit a program application, references, and transcripts to the SPADA office. The office will provide application packets upon request. Persons who are eligible for graduate credit may apply for admission to the SPADA program.
Drug Use: Personal and Social Impact (ADA 2250)
A fitting enhancement to several courses of study, this course will:
- increase understanding of substance use, abuse and addiction
- apply the public health disease model
- emphasize psychological, physiological and social consequences of use and abuse
- provide an overview of prevention, case finding and treatment strategies
For further information:
CHHS Advising
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5243
Phone: (269) 387-2656