Master of Arts in
Addiction Studies

Addiction Studies
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Make a Difference with an MA in Addiction Studies

Build your career helping individuals, families, and communities impacted by addiction. EWU’s fully online Master of Arts in Addiction Studies gives you the skills and credentials to make a meaningful impact in this growing field while allowing you to balance work, family, and life.

The 48-credit program prepares you for:

  • The National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC I or II) exam with NAADAC
  • Washington State’s Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) credential
  • Entry-level credentialing as a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDPT)

With flexible online classes, you can complete your studies at your convenience—anytime, anywhere. You can also choose a full-time track to graduate sooner or a part-time option that fits your schedule. Financial aid is available to help you achieve your goals.

For more information on Washington State’s Credentialing Requirements, please review WAC 246-811-030 and visit the Department of Health’s Substance Use Disorder Professional certification page.

Admission RequirementsCurriculum & Requirements

Admissions Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university.
  • A calculated GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 90 quarter or 60 semester graded post-secondary credits.
  • Application requires a 1-page personal statement (see prompts below), current resume, and 2 professional references.
  • In your personal statement, please include the following:
    1. What is your interest in addiction studies and what led you to pursue this degree?
    2. What experience do you have working with diverse and/or special populations?
    3. Constructive feedback is an essential component to graduate student learning and working within the SUD field. Please describe a time when you received feedback that was difficult for you to hear. What were your initial reactions and how were you able to work through those initial reactions in order to act upon the feedback given?
    4. Are you planning to pursue Washington State’s Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) license? If you live outside of Washington State, please review your state’s education requirements for licensing as a substance use disorder professional before finalizing your application.
    5. Did you complete a human development course, e.g. adult development, child development, lifespan development within your undergraduate/graduate studies? If not, please contact ADST@ewu.edu for options to complete this course for licensing.
    6. Do you work full-time and need to attend school part-time? This helps us identify the best academic plan, as well as your availability for completing a practicum while in school.

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What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Addiction Studies, Master of Arts (MA)

Required Courses
ADST 501RELAPSE PREVENTION2
ADST 502COUNSELING THEORIES FOR ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS2
ADST 503HIV/AIDS AND ADDICTION TREATMENT2
ADST 504ADOLESCENT ADDICTION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT4
ADST 505ADDICTION GROUP COUNSELING2
ADST 512PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS4
ADST 520CASE MANAGEMENT4
ADST 530ADDICTION TREATMENT WITH FAMILIES AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS4
ADST 535CONFIDENTIALITY, LAW AND ETHICS FOR THE ADDICTION PROFESSIONAL4
ADST 542SCREENING, ASSESSMENT, AND MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION OF CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS4
ADST 544TREATING CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS4
ADST 548MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT2
ADST 550SPIRITUALITY AND ADDICTION4
or ADST 552 PROCESS ADDICTIONS
ADST 576ADDICTION: A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH4
ADST 602ADST PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO2
Total Credits48

Why Study at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.

Affordable Education

Benefit from the lowest tuition rates in Washington and financial aid options to help you graduate debt-free.

NAADAC Approved

Study with confidence in a well-rounded Addiction Studies program approved by NAADAC.

Strong Job Opportunities

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an average job growth of 23% for addiction counselors through 2026.

Expert Faculty

Learn from dedicated, passionate professionals who bring decades of on-the-job insight into the classroom.

Online Classes Available

Take courses at your convenience and complete assignments when it works for your schedule.