Certificates

The Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies offers three certificate programs: Addictions Prevention and Treatment Studies, Military and Civilian Trauma Studies, and Rehabilitation Studies. These programs allow students to acquire core content that may assist in becoming recognized or certified in certain specialized professional practice areas. The certificate is open to individuals with a bachelor’s degree, students enrolled in graduate programs, or individuals with a graduate degree. Admission requirements include a minimum 2.7 GPA and a statement of purpose. Students need to apply through the ECU Graduate School and list the specific certificate program. See individual certificate webpage for additional admission and retention policies.

Certificate programs should not be confused with any state or national certification or license.

The following document provides a model for listing certificate programs versus professional credentials on a resume/vita:

DARS’ Graduate Certificate Programs Disclaimer (PDF)

Certificate in Addictions Prevention & Treatment Studies

The courses for the Addictions Prevention and Treatment Studies (APTS) program provide students with theories and techniques for this specialized area of counseling. The program requires the completion of ADRE 6703, 6793, 6796, and HLTH 6355 (12 sh). Please review the program information sheet (PDF) for further details.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the APTS Certificate program, students must be: (a) admitted by the graduate school as a degree or certificate student, and (b) meet the minimum admission criteria including a letter of intent, minimum GPA of 2.7, and approval of the APTS Certificate coordinator.

Students who are currently in a graduate degree program at ECU who wish to add a certificate may do so by submitting an ‘Add a Certificate’ form. This form can be accessed via the Graduate School website (click the ‘Request to add a certificate’ link and complete the form).

For more information, contact Dr. W. Leigh Atherton the Addictions Prevention and Treatment Studies certificate coordinator at athertonw@ecu.edu or 252-744-6290.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Info: Substance Abuse Counseling (PDF)

Licensure & Certification

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could, or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

The department has determined the Addictions Prevention and Treatment Studies certificate program does not meet the entire state educational requirements for licensure or certification. The completion of the four certificate courses (180-hours SUD specific coursework) does meet the academic requirement for the North Carolina Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) credential, or meets partial academic requirement for the North Carolina Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential. However, the other criteria for the state issued LCAS and CADC credentials (e.g. 300-hour practicum, years of supervised addictions counseling practice) are not offered through this certificate program. Complete requirements for the LCAS and CADC credentials can be found on the website of the North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board.

Other Information

Certificate in Military & Civilian Trauma Studies

The Certificate program in Military and Civilian Trauma Studies (MCTS) prepares graduate students enrolled in counselor education programs to work effectively with the psychosocial and mental health needs of military personnel, veterans, disabled veterans, and their families. Students will also acquire the knowledge and skills to work effectively with those who have experienced civilian trauma. The MCTS certificate is an online, 12 semester hour program that requires the completion of the following course work:

  • ADRE 6000 – Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability (3): Functional capacities of individuals with disabilities, impact of disability on individual, and personal and social adjustment to life. Offered Spring semester.
  • ADRE 6375 – Military and Trauma Counseling (3): Focuses on providing assessment, counseling, rehabilitation, and transitional services to individuals and families in the military, veterans, and/or trauma survivors. Offered Spring semester.
  • ADRE 6376 – Civilian Trauma Counseling (3): Focuses on providing effective counseling services for civilians (non-military/veteran persons) who have been exposed to a traumatic event, such as abuse, natural disasters, pandemics, sexual assault, and violence at schools and universities. Offered Fall semester.

Additionally, students are required to complete one three (3) semester hour elective approved by the MCTS Certificate Program Coordinator. ADRE 6703 Foundations of Addictions and Clinical Counseling, a recommended elective, is offered all semesters.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the MCTS Certificate Program students must be admitted by the Graduate School as a degree or certificate student.

Application materials: 1-2-page statement of purpose, official transcripts, and resume.

GPA requirement: 2.7

Fall admissions: Application deadline May 1st.

Spring admissions: Application deadline October 15th.

Students who are currently in a graduate degree program at ECU who wish to add a certificate may do so by submitting an” Add a Certificate” form. The form can be accessed via the Graduate School website (click the ‘add a certificate’ link and complete the form). It is electronically forwarded from the degree program, to certificate program, to the grad school for approval, and then to the Program Coordinator for final acceptance into the MCTS Certificate Program. There is no fee. If a student is not in a degree program at ECU and wants to apply for a certificate, then the regular Graduate School admission process is followed with payment of the admissions application fee.

For more information, contact Dr. Hillary DodgeEvans by email dodgeevansj20@ecu.edu or phone 252-744-6291.

MTC Certificate Program Equivalency for DARS Alumni (PDF)
Gainful Employment Disclosure Info: Military & Trauma Counseling Graduate Certificate (PDF)

Certificate in Rehabilitation Studies

The Certificate in Rehabilitation Studies provides basic knowledge and information needed to work as a professional in this specialized area. The certificate program includes specialized training in Rehabilitation Studies and may prepare counselors to partially meet the basic academic requirements to be eligible to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Exam. Participants are required to be currently enrolled in a graduate counseling program or may enroll non degree if they possess a graduate degree in counseling.

The certificate program requires a minimum of 12 s.h. in the following courses: ADRE 6000, 6010, 6100 and 3 s.h. of electives. Selected electives should be chosen in consultation with the certificate coordinator. The list of appropriate electives is available from the certificate coordinator and may be selected after consultation with the requirements of the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

Students who are currently in a graduate degree program at ECU who wish to add a certificate may do so by submitting an ‘Add a Certificate’ form. This form can be accessed via the Graduate School website (click the ‘Request to add a certificate’ link and complete the form).

For more information, contact Dr. Dominiquie M. Clemons-James, Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Studies Certificate at clemmonsjamesd21@ecu.edu or by phone at 252-744-6292.

Gainful Employment Disclosure Info: Rehabilitation Counseling (PDF)

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.

If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.

Completion of the Rehabilitation Studies Certificate does not mean one meets requirements to sit for the NC State Licensure or the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Examination (CRCE). The CRCE eligibility can be found at crccertification.com.