Online Addictions Certificate Program

The Addictions Certificate Program (ACP) is designed for direct clinical practitioners - social workers, nurses, and psychologists - who deliver or plan to deliver behavioral healthcare services to addicted populations that may present with additional complex and comorbid mental health and physical health needs. Participants will gain assessment, intervention, and consultation knowledge and skills for practical application in the workplace, and will link with a peer learning community to discuss and explore new skills and ideas.

All ACP content has been pre-approved by the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) and is applicable for "specific" continuing education contact hours. Because of the unique design features of the University of Michigan Addictions Certificate Program, these CE contact hours are designated as formal classroom education hours, rather than home study contact hours.

What to Expect

 

Participants in the Addictions Certificate program will have opportunities to:

• Learn core knowledge pertinent to working with addicted populations;
• Acquire and practice critical skills for effectively engaging and treating clients with complex and comorbid conditions;
• Earn up to 90 CE contact hours toward Social Work licensure, and up to 90 pre-approved contact hours toward certified addictions counselor certification;

Courses address core focus areas integral to providing effective, cutting-edge addictions treatment, including:

• Engagement, and Understanding Difficult Behavior Change
• Stages of Change and Motivational Enhancement
• Motivational Enhancement Skills I & II
• The Brain Chemistry of Addiction, Withdrawal and P.A.W.S.
• Multi-axial Assessment, Case Presentation, and Treatment Planning
• Stages of Change and Treatment – Measuring and Documenting Progress
• Cognitive Behavioral Approaches
• The 12-Step Model and other Peer-led Resources
• Stage-matched Group Work
• Screening and Referral
• Treatment Orientation and Psychoeducation
• Family Systems and Natural Supports
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy
• Twelve-Step Facilitation Therapy
• Contingency Management
• Empowerment Case Management
• Detoxification Approaches and Strategies
• Recovery-oriented Prescribing Practices and Pharmacological Recovery Supports
• Physical Health Concerns, including Communicable Diseases
• Addiction and Mood Disorders
• Addiction and Thought Disorders
• Addiction and Personality Disorders
• Addiction and Anxiety Disorders, including PTSD
• Dual Disorder Treatment Frameworks
• Professional Ethics I & II
• Addiction and Spirituality
• Legal System / Criminal Justice Interface
• Cultural Awareness and Competence

Teaching Method

Our Addictions Certificate Program is an online, self-paced, remote-learning experience, providing 90 hours of instruction across three 10-module tracks:

• Track 1: Addictions Treatment Foundation Skills
• Track 2: Addictions Treatment Processes and Clinical Interventions
• Track 3: Addictions Treatment with Complex & Comorbid Populations

Each module includes:

• Pre-recorded instructor-led sessions
• One required 90-minute live videoconference Q&A with the certificate director per track
• Additional resources relevant to each topic

Remote-access technology, that uses our web-based learning management system, Canvas, will make it possible for participants to connect for discussion with peers and the program director. To interact in real-time, participants will need access to high-speed Internet and a computer with a camera and microphone to join the live session, hosted via Zoom. You do not need special skills to participate successfully. We will provide detailed, user-friendly instructions and technical support.

We are dedicated to prioritizing the accessibility needs of participants in this program. If you have any questions or concerns related to your learning needs, please contact [email protected].

Fees

$525 for each 30-hour track.

$475 per track for U-M SSW faculty, staff, and U-M MSW program field instructors.

$320 per track for U-M SSW students.

For 5 or more participants from the same organization, the cost for each track is $475 per person.

Continuing Ed Credits

The University of Michigan School of Social Work, provider #1212, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/15/2026-5/15/2029.

• Track 1: Social workers completing this course will receive 1 pain management and 29 general continuing education clock hours.
• Track 2: Social workers completing this course will receive 30 general continuing education clock hours.
• Track 3: Social workers completing this course will receive 30 general continuing education clock hours.

Participants who complete the entire certificate are eligible to earn both 90 hours of Certified Addictions Counselor contact hours (as defined and honored by the Michigan Association for Addiction Professionals/MCBAP), as well as 90 hours of social work continuing education credits.

MCBAP has several certification levels, each with its particular eligibility requirements in the areas of experience, education, direct supervision and testing. Participating in the U-M ACP would jump start your pursuit of a MCBAP credential by providing up to 90 pre-approved education contact hours toward that portion of your MCBAP portfolio/application. For the Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC) credential, a total of 180 education contact hours are required, and for the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) credential, a total of 270 education contact hours are required.

For all of the additional details about the requirements of each of the different MCBAP credentials please visit the mcbap.com/mcbap-certifications/ page of their website.