Begin developing a specialty in addictions counseling today!

The Graduate Certificate in Addictions Counseling (GCAC) is designed to prepare students for addiction specific professional counseling careers, leadership roles, and advocacy positions. The 12-credit hour GCAC program is offered exclusively online and prepares students to meet the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families dealing with addictive use disorders. The curriculum includes coursework in areas of substance-related and addictive use disorders, comorbid disorders, methods and theories of addiction specific assessments and interventions, psychopharmacology and addiction, family impact of substance disorders, and current issues and special populations in addiction. The online certificate program meets the North Carolina Addictions Specialists Professional Practice Board (NCASPPB) educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) application. 

The GCAC is offered to currently enrolled UNCP Clinical Mental Health Counseling students, graduates of qualifying UNCP graduate degree programs, and community applicants who hold or are enrolled in a master’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited educational institution. Currently enrolled UNCP Clinical Mental Health Counseling students can earn the GCAC certificate while completing the CMHC degree requirements and have the option of completing an addictions-specific internship to satisfy the field placement experience required by the NCASPPB for the expedited path to the LCAS-A licensure. Community applicants who hold or are enrolled in a master’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited educational institution should contact the NCASPPB to ensure the degree is a qualifying degree.

Students enrolled in the GCAC must earn a B- or higher in CNS 5860, CNS 5870, CNS 5890, and CNS 5900 in order to remain in the GCAC. Students earning a C or lower in any of the GCAC courses will be removed from the certificate program.