Sociology – Master of Arts: Substance Use Disorder Concentration

This program is designed to academically prepare students who wish to become certified/licensed as substance use disorder counselors after graduation.

Program Competencies

  1. Students will be expected to demonstrate competency in individual and group counseling when working with persons with substance use disorders.
  2. Students will be able to apply acquired assessment and referral skills related to substance use disorders.
  3. Students will develop competencies enabling them to work with a variety of populations.

Assessment

  1. Students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of skills as they progress through the individual courses through examinations and taped videos whereby students display skills. Overall demonstration of skills will be measured during the last course (SOC 675 - Practicum in Substance Use Disorder Treatment). Students will be placed in an agency setting whereby they can practice/demonstrate the skill sets they have learned in previous courses.
  2. Upon completion of the required courses and the master’s degree, students may apply to the Kentucky Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors for the certification/licensure for which they are qualified. NOTE: State certification and licensing requirements can change and differ from state to state. Students are responsible for knowing the certification/licensure requirements of states in which they work or plan to work.

Program Requirements

Core Requirements

SOC 604Proseminar

3

SOC 615Quantitative Research Methods

3

SOC 617Globalization

3

SOC 650Social Thought and Theory

3

SOC 655Qualitative Research Methods

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Choose Thesis or Non-Thesis plan.

Substance Use Disorder Requirements (Thesis)

SOC 671Introduction to Substance Use Disorder Counseling

3

SOC 672Screening, Assessment, and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

3

SOC 673Survey of the Biopsychosocial Aspects of Drug Use

3

SOC 674Contemporary Treatment Approaches for Substance Use Disorders

3

SOC 675Practicum in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

3

SOC 699Thesis

6

Total Credit Hours:21

Substance Use Disorder Requirements (Non-Thesis)

SOC 671Introduction to Substance Use Disorder Counseling

3

SOC 672Screening, Assessment, and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

3

SOC 673Survey of the Biopsychosocial Aspects of Drug Use

3

SOC 674Contemporary Treatment Approaches for Substance Use Disorders

3

SOC 675Practicum in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Complete a comprehensive exit examination.

Total Credit Hours: 30-36