Certificate
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
On-Campus, Online
About Drug and Alcohol Counselor Certification at Loyola
Substance abuse creates complex challenges for individuals who struggle with addictions, impacting their physical, emotional, and social well-being. If you want to put your MSW to work to help individuals who are dealing with addiction, the Advanced Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Training Program at Loyola University Chicago can help you achieve your career goals. Post-graduates of advanced degrees are also welcome to enroll in the program.
The drug and alcohol counseling certificate program at Loyola is accredited by the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). It is specifically designed to prepare social work students and practitioners to gain skills to assess, treat, and counsel individuals who have identified their addiction behaviors.
Program Structure
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate can be pursued full time or part time. These classes are held mainly in the evenings in the online format via Zoom, with some classes available on-campus.
To express your interest and to see if you are eligible, email the program director, Marcy Wilroy, at CADC@luc.edu.
Why Choose Loyola for Your Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling?
Prepare to become a CADC through Loyola's highly respected Advanced Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor Training Program. Our CADC program allows for MSW students, as well as post-graduate students, to gain the skills needed to assess and treat addictions in any field of social work.
Not only will students learn how alcohol and other drugs impact the body, mind and spirit, they will also be educated in other addictions such as gambling, food, and others types. Treatment modalities that have been proven by empirical research are taught, as well as policies and procedures related to agency work. Students will also be a part of an internship experience that is addiction focused.
- Accomplished faculty
- Path to CADC certification
- Reputable and respected
- Focused on social and economic justice
- Chicago: A hub of opportunities
Take courses with expert practitioners and researchers in alcohol and drug abuse counseling. Our faculty promote empowerment, equality, and dignity, and they hold a wide array of experience in clinical and community settings.
Loyola University Chicago is an advanced accredited university for CADC certification through the Illinois Certification Board (ICB). Upon completing the program, you'll be eligible to take an exam through the ICB to earn your CADC certification, expanding your career possibilities in alcohol and drug abuse counseling.
Earn your alcohol and drug abuse counseling certificate from an established university with a history of producing successful graduates in the social services field. Founded in 1914, the School of Social Work has over 100 years of training graduate students to make a difference in their communities.
Practice cultural competence and learn how to foster equity in alcohol and drug abuse counseling. You will also discover the role of power, oppression, and institutional discrimination in the challenges facing communities through this CADC program.
Gain practical experience in one of the many practicum sites in Chicago and beyond. Loyola partners with over 1,000 agencies in Chicago and can also work with you to locate internship opportunities in your community.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Social Work faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate program.
Faculty and StaffAlcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling: Career Connections
After completing your drug and alcohol counselor certification, you'll be prepared to make a skilled assesment and treat each clients' addiction. As a licend CADC professional, these skills will allow you to help those in recovery and support those who are just beginning their recovery journey.
Specific job options include:
- Addiction therapist
- Clinical Supervisor related to addictions
- Licensed Social Worker
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Private Practice
- Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services Center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogAlcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate Results and Skills
Completing Loyola University Chicago's program will make you eligible for the CADC certification. A passing grade of an 80 on the ICB-administered exam is required for official certification. Additionally, the drug and alcohol counseling certificate equips you with the knowledge and skills crucial to treating addiction issues.
- An understanding of addiction treatments, including pharmacology
- Assessment skills
- Counseling skills
- Organizational skills
- Case management
- Verbal and written communication
- Reporting and record keeping
- Cultural competence
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate totals $7500.00, or 10 credit hours at a cost of $750.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
School of Social Work Scholarships
View a complete list of School of Social Work scholarships, including external scholarship opportunities.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Social Work offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsUpcoming Events
Visit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall, Spring, & Summer: Rolling admission
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
2 Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose
Prerequisite Standing Requirements
Applicants must have a verified Master's degree in a human services field and proof of licensure.
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY