Accelerated Masters in Addiction Counseling

An accelerated pathway to earn your master’s in addiction counseling

To address a critical shortage of trained addiction treatment professionals in rural Colorado, our Accelerated Addiction Counseling Master’s Program prepares individuals to become Licensed Addiction Counselors. This program targets rural areas through partnerships with local colleges, providing a seamless pathway from an undergraduate degree to a master’s degree, equipping graduates to enter the workforce as treatment providers for those struggling with substance use disorders. The program will give you the educational requirements, however, students may need to complete additional training hours before licensure.

The Accelerated Master’s Degree is structured to be completed in 5 years, with the first 2 taken at a community college. Prior to earning a master’s degree, students must complete the Accelerated Addiction Counseling Undergraduate Program. Both programs are offered remotely, ensuring accessibility for individuals in rural communities. Year 5 will be a mix of coursework and an internship, fulfilling the educational requirements for state certification and licensure. Students will earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in this 5 year timeframe.

Courses align with emerging principles in Addiction Counseling set by the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) of the Colorado Department of Human Services. This alignment ensures that graduates are eligible to sit for licensure exams upon completing the program.

This program is a collaboration with Northeastern junior college in Sterling CO. Students need to have completed an associate’s degree at NJC to meet the admissions requirements.

The labor market for addiction counseling is projected to grow significantly, with the United States anticipating a 24 percent growth rate, translating to approximately 67,000 annual openings in addiction-related jobs. This high demand, coupled with the current shortage of addiction counselors, ensures a robust job market for program graduates. Graduates can expect to find positions as Addiction Counselors, Behavioral Health Workers, Intake Counselors, and other mental health professionals.

Join our program to become a key player in addressing addiction challenges in rural Colorado and beyond, contributing to healthier communities and a brighter future for those affected by substance use disorders.

Example Program of Study

Note: Students will work with their academic advisor to create a program of study that works for their unique situation and academic goals.

The number of courses needed for completion of program depends on:

• The number of transfer credits awarded
• Fulfillment of All-University Core Curriculum
• Degree coursework requirements

The curriculum listed below is intended to inform prospective students about the overall theme of the program and should not be used as an example program of study. Students need to consult their advisor to develop a degree completion plan based on the credits transferred into this program.

Fall Semester of Year 3:

• PSY 192 – Psychology First Year Seminar (1 cr.)
• PSY 210 – Psychology First Year Seminar (3 cr.)
• PSY 252 – Mind, Brain and Behavior (3 cr.)
• STAT 301 – Introduction to Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
• PSY 310 – Basic Counseling Skills (3 cr.)

Spring Semester of Year 3:

• PSY 350 – Research Design and Analysis II (3 cr.)
• AUCC Category 2 – Advanced Writing Requirement (3 cr.)
• PSY 311C – Basic Counseling Skills Laboratory: AAC (2 cr.)

Pick 1: Paired Lecture

• PSY 315 – Social Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 370 – Psychological Measurement and Testing (3 cr.)
• PSY 452 – Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 458 – Cognitive Neuroscience (3 cr.)

Pick 1: Paired Lab

• PSY 317 – Social Psychology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PSY 371 – Psychological Measurement and Testing Laboratory (1 cr.)
• PSY 453 – Cognitive Psychology Laboratory (2 cr.)
• PSY 459 – Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (2 cr.)

Summer Semester of Year 3:

• PSY 361 – Addiction Counseling Case Conceptualization (3 cr.)

Pick 1: Additional Diversity Requirement

• PSY 305 – Psychology of Religion (3 cr.)
• PSY 327 – Psychology of Women (3 cr.)
• PSY 328 – Psychology of Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
• PSY 437 – Psychology of Gender (3 cr.)
• AUCC 1C (3 cr.)
• ETST (3 cr.)
• WS (3 cr.)

Fall Semester of Year 4:

• PSY 320 – Psychopathology (3 cr.)
• BMS 300 – Principles of Human Physiology (4 cr.)*
• PSY 454 – Biological Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 365 – Addiction Counseling Techniques (3 cr.)
• PSY 573 – Psychopharmacology of Addictions (3 cr.)

*Another course may be substituted in place of BMS 300 to meet the science requirement, at the discretion of your academic advisor.

Spring Semester of Year 4:

• Elective – To be selected with guidance from advisor (3 cr.)

Pick 1: Lecture Lab Pair 2a

• PSY 315 – Social Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 370 – Psychological Measurement and Testing (3 cr.)
• PSY 452 – Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 458 – Cognitive Neuroscience (3 cr.)

Pick 1: Lecture Lab Pair 2b (1-2 credits)

• PSY 317 – Social Psychology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• PSY 371 – Psychological Measurement and Testing Laboratory (3 cr.)
• PSY 453 – Cognitive Psychology Laboratory (3 cr.)
• PSY 459 – Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory (3 cr.)

• PSY 574 – Addiction Counseling with Co-Occurring Disorders (3 cr.)
• PSY 575 – Addiction Counseling with Diverse Populations (3 cr.)

Total undergraduate credits completed with CSU: 58

Fall Semester of Year 5:

• PSY 675 – Professional Ethics (3 cr.)
• PSY 724 – Motivation Interviewing (3 cr.)
• PSY 787 – Internship (6 cr.)

Spring Semester of Year 5:

• PSY 793 – Clinical Supervision of Addiction Counselors (3 cr.)
• PSY 787 – Internship (6 cr.)

Total graduate credits completed with CSU: 30

Brad Conner

Professor, Director of Addiction Counseling

brad.conner@colostate.edu

(970) 491-6197

Noah Emery

Assistant Professor

noah.emery@colostate.edu

(970) 491-5905

Hollis Karoly

Assistant Professor

Hollis.Karoly@colostate.edu

(970) 491-3677

Wendy Lee

Instructor

Ryan Scarborough

Instructor

Application Deadlines