Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Certification Education Program

Admission Criteria and Eligibility Information:

This program is open to anyone seeking to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

• A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in this professional education program.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (or 2.9 in the last 60 credits) is required for admission.
• Current Loras undergraduate students may be eligible to take 1-2 CADC courses per the Loras Undergraduate Students in Graduate Courses policy.

Sample Course Requirements and Rotation

* Students can begin the program either in fall with the Foundations of Addiction Counseling course, or in the spring with the Assessment and Diagnosis in Addictions Counseling course.

MHC-535 Addictions:
This seminar course provides an examination of substance use and abuse and the progressive nature of addiction. Effects on the user, children, and family are explored. An overview of the models of chemical dependency, dually diagnosed clients, intervention, treatment, DSM criteria and assessment tools are examined. 3 Credits, in-person format. 

MHC-536 Foundations of Addictions Counseling:
This course will be focused on professional issues related to providing addictions counseling in a multicultural society. 3 credits, hybrid format.

MHC-537 Assessment and Diagnosis in Addictions Counseling:
This course will emphasize use of appropriate assessment tools and strategies for diagnosis of addictive disorders according to current diagnostic classification systems. This course will also include discussion of the effects of various psychoactive substances, and with a special focus on differential diagnosis and recognition of instances in which medical referral and/or consultation is appropriate. 3 credits, in-person format.

MHC-538 Theories and Techniques in Addictions Counseling:
This course will provide a review of leading theories and models of addiction. The application of these theories to treatment planning, counseling interventions, and relapse prevention will also be addressed. 3 credits, in-person format. 

Application and Admission

What are the academic requirements for admission into the CADC Certification Education Program?
A completed bachelor’s degree and a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 or a 2.9 in the last 60 credits.

How do I apply for admission?
Please see the Admission Criteria & Application Checklist section of this webpage.

What are the application deadlines?
Spring enrollment – all materials due by December 1
Fall enrollment – all materials due by July 1

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on an individual basis.

What if I’m still finishing up my bachelor’s degree?
Applicants who are undergraduate students in the process of completing a bachelor’s degree (at an institution other than Loras) may be awarded a provisional acceptance to Loras’s CADC Certification Education program based on receipt of their in-progress, unofficial transcript and all other application materials; with full acceptance contingent upon receipt of the final, official transcript(s) and the conferred undergraduate degree. The student must meet the minimum GPA requirement at the time the undergraduate degree is conferred for full acceptance.

I’m an undergraduate student at Loras. Can I enroll in this program?
Current Loras undergraduate students may take two of the four required courses as undergraduates, and the other two must be taken as graduate students. After completion of the two courses taken as an undergraduate, you must complete the application process outlined on this webpage in order to continue on and take the remaining courses as graduate students.

I’m a graduate student in Loras’s Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Can I enroll in this program?
Yes, you may complete this Addictions track as part of your master’s degree. Please work with your advisor to add on this coursework to your program plan. No separate application process is needed.

Does the CADC Certification Education program require an undergraduate degree in a specific program?
The CADC Certification Education program does not require an undergraduate degree in any specific area.

How long will it take to receive a decision regarding my application?
Once we have received your application and official transcript(s), you should receive a decision within one week.

How will I be notified of the admission decision?
You will be contacted by email once a decision has been made.

How can I receive more information about the CADC Certification Education program?
For more information about the application and admission process, please contact Megan Henderson: Director of Admission for Graduate and Professional Education Programs, at megan.henderson@loras.edu or 563.588.7140.

For more information about the CADC Certification Education curriculum, please contact Dr. Heidi Nelson, Director of Graduate and Continuing Education Programs at heidi.nelson@loras.edu or 563.577.4002.

Curriculum and Class Format

What is required to become a CADC?
Students are responsible for understanding all requirements needed to apply for the CADC Certification in their state. (Each state has their own version of CADC and associated requirements.)

Typically, the requirements include: specific Addictions coursework (which Loras’s CADC Certification Education Program fulfills), an exam, and a set number of supervised internship hours in the field.

Loras’s non-degree CADC Certification Education program is comprised of the 4 classes (12 credits/180 classroom contact hours) needed to fill the Addictions curriculum component for CADC Certification in Iowa, but there may be additional behavioral science credits students need to take in order to receive the certification in their state.

Please see https://iowabc.org/credentials/cadc/ for more information about the state of Iowa’s requirements.

Does the Loras faculty help CADC students find an internship to complete the required supervised hours? 
Loras does not formally assist or assign CADC students with supervised clinical internships, but thanks to their extensive networks, the faculty can likely help direct students to places where they may be able to complete an internship.

What is the format of the CADC classes?
The CADC courses are offered in predominantly an in-person evening format, in compliance with the educational requirements to obtain a CADC in Iowa.

Is there a preferred entry point into the CADC Certification Education program?
Students can begin the program in either the Fall (with Foundations of Addiction Counseling), or in the Spring (with Addictions).

How long does it take to complete the program?
Depending on interest and course offerings, a student may be able to complete all of the necessary coursework in 12-24 months.

What is a maximum course load per semester?
Depending on interest and course offerings, students may take 3-6 credits each semester for the CADC Certification Education Program.

What is the time commitment outside of class?
Time commitments vary depending on the course and individual’s specific skill set. As a general rule, students will spend 4-6 hours per week outside of classroom instruction on class-related work for each class.

Where are classes held?
Classes are held either in person on the beautiful Loras College Campus, or in a hybrid format.

When do classes meet?
Each face-to-face class meets in the evening one day per week to accommodate working adults.

Is Loras College accredited?
Yes, Loras College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Financial

What are current tuition rates for the CADC Certification Education Program?
Visit the Graduate section of our Tuition & Fees page for detailed cost information. Tuition and Fees are subject to change at any time.

Is financial aid available?
Since the CADC Certification Education program is a non-degree program, students are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, students are able to utilize employer tuition reimbursement and/or private loans.

CADC Certification Education Program Cost
Visit the Graduate section of our Tuition & Fees page for detailed cost information.

Employer Reimbursement
Students who wish to utilize tuition reimbursement from their employer must complete Loras’ Employer Tuition Reimbursement Form before the first day of their first class. Students will still be issued regular billing statements from Loras, but will be exempt from any service charges and will be exempt from having to make full payment until after the end of each class (or until after program completion for CFP Certification or Cybersecurity Bootcamp students). Students or employers are welcome to make payments directly to Loras along the way if they would like, but it is not required. If the employer reimbursement criteria are not met and/or reimbursement is denied, the student must bring their account current immediately before any future registration will be permitted. Student’s balance must be paid in full within 30 days of the last day of each term (or within 30 days of program completion for CFP Certification Education and Cybersecurity Bootcamp students), and prior to Loras issuing the student a degree and/or final transcript.

Financial Aid
Please note that federal loans are not available for this professional education program. However, students are able to utilize employer tuition reimbursement and/or private loans.

Loras College does not offer institutional scholarships or federal grants for graduate and professional education students at this time.

Contact us if you have additional billing questions:
Carrie Jones, Director of Student Accounts:
carrie.jones@loras.edu
563.588.7232

Tuition and Fees are subject to change at any time.