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Loma Linda University's Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate is a fully online, 13-unit program designed for licensed behavioral health professionals and graduate students pursuing licensure in counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, or social work. Built on more than twenty years of preparing substance use treatment professionals, the program provides the coursework and supervised clinical experience needed to work effectively with individuals experiencing substance use disorders and their families—and to pursue national certifications through organizations such as NAADAC, CCAPP, and AAHCPAD.
🔔 Admissions and Program Requirements
- Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in behavioral health or a closely related field. Applicants must also be licensed (Psychology, MFT, Social Work, or Counseling) or enrolled in a master's or doctoral program which leads to licensure in Psychology, MFT, Social Work, or Counseling.
- The program is available online only and is authorized in these states.
📸 Program Snapshot
- 1-year (full-time), 13-unit, fully online program
- 200 hours of supervised clinical fieldwork with individuals experiencing substance use disorders
- Prepares graduates to pursue national certifications through NAADAC, CCAPP, and AAHCPAD
- Available to licensed professionals and graduate students currently pursuing qualifying licensure
- MFT MS and Counseling MS students can add this certificate with minimal additional coursework
- Rooted in a Christian commitment to whole person care, compassion, and respect for all persons
Program Director
Dr. Nichola Ribadu
DMFT, MS, LMFT
Chair, Counseling and Family Sciences
Assistant Professor, Counseling and Family Sciences
Interim Director, Counseling MS and Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate Programs
🔎 More About Our Online Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate Program
For more than twenty years, Loma Linda University's Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate program has prepared master's- and doctoral-level professionals to work effectively with individuals experiencing substance use disorders and their families. The fully online program has been continually refined to stay current with advances in the field, and graduates go on to work in outpatient and inpatient treatment settings, faith-based and community organizations, specialty private practices, and program development roles.
Completion of the certificate supports eligibility for national substance use certifications—including the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) through NAADAC, the Licensed Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LAADC) through CCAPP, and the Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) through AAHCPAD. As applicable, clinical hours may be accrued concurrently to meet BBS, AAMFT, and other certifying organization requirements.
🗓️ Program Timeline
The Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate is a one-year program that begins in Summer Quarter and is completed over four consecutive quarters of full-time coursework, concluding at the end of Spring Quarter. The program is intended for master's‑level students currently pursuing a qualifying degree for licensure in psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage and family therapy who are interested in furthering their knowledge and clinical experience working with individuals with substance use disorders.
Please Note: The curriculum of this program includes attendance during the Summer term.
Sample Plan of Study
Year 1
This sample plan of study is provided as a general guide to illustrate the typical sequence of courses for this program. Course offerings, sequencing, and scheduling are subject to change based on curricular revisions, faculty availability, and student progression. Students who take a Leave of Absence (LOA) or enroll on a part-time basis should expect their program completion term to be extended. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor for individualized academic planning.
| Summer | Units | Fall | Units | Winter | Units | Spring | Units |
| COUN/MFAM 638 | 3 | MFAM 654 | 1 | MFAM 645 | 3 | RELR 540 | 3 |
| MFAM 654 | 1 | MFAM 654 | 1 | MFAM 654 | 1 | ||
| Total Quarterly Units | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 |
Total Program Units: 13 units
Additional requirements: 200 hours of supervised clinical field work.
Student Story
Through collaboration and education from the Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate program, I've learned to factor in the varying aspects of substance use disorders in helping clients and members of their relational systems. Both faculty and fellow students are compassionate in their roles of walking with clients through the recovery process.
📝 Admissions and Application
Applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree in behavioral health or closely related field from an accredited university. Students currently enrolled in the Marital and Family Therapy MS and Counseling MS programs must be in good standing when applying to the certificate program.
- Applicants must submit an essay describing how they plan to integrate the Drug and Alcohol Counseling Certificate into their clinical work and contribute to the addiction treatment field.
- Three letters of reference are required.
- An interview by the program director is required. This interview is completed via Zoom.
🏅 Accreditation
The academic programs at Loma Linda University are regionally accredited by the WSCUC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges [WASC] Senior College and University Commission).
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💡 Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this certificate program designed for?
This certificate is designed for master's- or doctoral-level behavioral health professionals who are licensed or pursuing licensure in Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or Social Work.
Am I eligible to apply with only a high school diploma or associate degree?
No. Applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. This certificate is not an entry-level program and is not intended for individuals without prior higher education.
Do I need to be licensed to apply?
Applicants must be licensed in a behavioral health field or currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program that leads to licensure (e.g., Counseling, MFT, Psychology, or Social Work). Eligibility is reviewed as part of the admissions process.
Does completing this certificate lead to licensure as a substance-use counselor?
No. Completion of the certificate does not itself grant licensure. The certificate provides coursework and supervised experience that may support eligibility for national substance-use certifications after completion of primary licensure and additional post-degree requirements. Students are responsible for reviewing the requirements of each certifying organization.
Can students currently enrolled in eligible SBH programs add this certificate?
Yes. Students enrolled in eligible School of Behavioral Health programs may complete the Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate by adding specified coursework and practicum units to their existing program of study, in accordance with program policies. Prior to applying, students should consult with their program director to confirm eligibility.
Is the Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate offered online?
Yes. The Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate is a 100% online program offered through the School of Behavioral Health. Courses are delivered using a combination of synchronous and asynchronous formats to accommodate working professionals. Clinical training hours are completed in person at approved clinical placement sites. Students typically utilize their primary clinical program placement to accrue the required hours for this certificate.
How long does it take to complete the certificate?
The certificate is designed to be completed in approximately one year (four quarters) when taken full time. Students complete 13 quarter units, which include academic coursework and practicum units.
What are the practicum or clinical training requirements?
Students complete 200 hours of supervised clinical field experience working with individuals experiencing substance-use disorders. Fieldwork must be completed at approved sites. Telehealth service delivery may be permitted when consistent with site policies and program guidelines.
Is this certificate eligible for financial aid?
No. School-specific certificate programs, including the Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate, are not eligible for federal financial aid. Students are responsible for the full cost of the program. Students enrolled concurrently in another School of Behavioral Health master's or doctoral program may be eligible for tuition waivers for units taken beyond their primary program.
Where can I find tuition and program cost information?
Program-specific cost information is available on the Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certificate program website. Because this is a certificate program, tuition is charged per unit and financial aid is not available.