The Master of Science Degree in Addiction Studies Program believes our students find value in the journey of learning, not just the acquiring of a degree. We’re glad you’re a part of our program.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program requires a total of 36 semester hours. It emphasizes empirical-based approaches to preventing addiction problems and provides specialist skills related to the theoretical, policy, evaluative, and research frameworks which underlie treatment, intervention, and prevention approaches in the addiction field. It helps student’s build upon their theory, research, and policy skills by completing a research course and project. Unconditional admission requires at least a 2.5 undergraduate cumulative grade point average.
COURSE CATALOG
1. GASP 5311: GASP 5311: “Diagnostics and Statistical Evaluation in Addiction Studies (aka: Research Methods I )
The course includes knowledge and skills to evaluate, practice and carry out research. Major content areas include formulating research questions; research design and methodology; sampling techniques; protection of human subjects; descriptive statistics; and computerized data analysis. The use and abuse of tobacco is a special area of emphasis in this course, including extant research, practice and treatment applications. This course also includes knowledge and skills in understanding the bio-psychosocial model of assessment.
2. GASP 5312: Clinical Models of Addiction
The course will provide a comprehensive exploration of models and treatments of addictions, including current tobacco cessation approaches. Counseling theory, methodology, and application will be presented with a focus on addictions. The following Addiction Counseling Core Competencies will be addressed in the course: Counseling, Client/Family/Community Education, and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities. Introductory ethical issues in counseling will also be addressed.
3. GASP 5313: Alcohol and Alcoholism (aka: The Study of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs)
The course will provide comprehensive instruction on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use, abuse, and dependence. Basic functions of the human brain and the effects of ATOD on the human body and behavior will be explored. The course will introduce students to models explaining ATOD abuse and dependence as well as assessment and treatment approaches for ATOD abuse and dependence. The course will also introduce students to ATOD research methodology. The course will include a focus on the Addiction Counseling Core Competencies of: Counseling, Assessment, and Screening.
4. GASP 5321: Case Management and Prevention Ethics
The course provides an introduction to case management as well as clinical and prevention ethics related to the issues of alcohol tobacco and other drugs (ATOD). Case management focuses on the total person and stresses comprehensive assessment, service planning and service coordination to address multiple aspects of a persons’ life. The course will emphasize the importance of ethical behavior and confidentiality in clinical and prevention settings and will focus on the Addiction Counseling Practice Dimensions of Service Coordination, Documentation, and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities.
5. GASP 5322: Substance Abuse Prevention
This course provides advanced study of tobacco and substance abuse prevention. Topics for discussions include: prevention strategies, human resources development and enhancement, public speaking, program development, social policy, impact, recruitment and retention of volunteers, and written communication. This course will utilize a variety of strategies to teach students how to work with community coalitions, local schools and community agencies to prevent tobacco and substance abuse.
6. GASP 5323: Family Counseling
The course will provide intensive instruction in counseling families affected by Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) abuse/dependence. Instruction will focus on affects of ATOD on families, including those of second-hand smoke and side-stream smoke, assessing families for ATOD abuse/dependence, and models/approaches to family therapy appropriate for substance abuse counselors. The Addiction Counseling Core Competencies of: Screening, Assessment, Counseling, Crisis Intervention, Client/Family/Community Education, Consultation, and Reports and Record Keeping will be integrated into overall course content. Students will also focus on how ATOD prevention may assist families. A focus on specific family populations will be included in the course.
7. GASP 5331: Dual Disorders
This course will provide a comprehensive review of dual diagnosis; co-occurring substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. Tobacco use within co-occurring populations will be explored. The course will focus on classifications of mental disorders found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM IV-TM) and the following Addiction Counseling Core Competencies: Assessment, Counseling (crisis management), Client, Family, and Community Education, Referral, Documentation, and Service Coordination (consultation).
8. GASP 5332: Planning, Managing, and Evaluating Substance Abuse Programs
This course will provide instruction in program design and management, evaluation, organizational theory, designing/ using information systems, and clinical supervision for programs addressing issues of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD). Substance Abuse Counselor Core Competencies of Orientation, Treatment Planning, Case Management, and Documentation will be integrated into course content.
9. GASP 5333: Counseling Special Populations
This course will examine treatment issues, techniques, and the development of programs related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) with a special emphasis on diverse cultures and special needs groups(e.g., adolescents, older adults, the homeless, women, prison population, rural Americans and ethnic minority groups such as Hispanic subgroups, Native Americans, Asians, and African Americans.
10. GASP 5341: Employee Assistance Programs in Business and Industry
The course will examine employee assistance programs (EAP) and will focus on counselor competencies of: Assessment; Referral; Crisis Intervention; Treatment Planning and brief therapies consistent with the needs of persons with issues related to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD).
11. GASP 5342: Practicum Seminar
The course is designed to address advanced issues of substance abuse treatment and prevention. The course will address issues pertinent to students as they fulfill their required internship and practicum hours for graduation from the Graduate Addiction Studies Program. This course will assist students in meeting the educational requirements for certification in Arkansas as an Alcohol/Other Drug Counselor (CADC) and the educational requirements for certification in Arkansas as a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS) as adopted by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC& RC). However, neither this course nor the Addiction Studies Program is designed as a certification program.
The focus of the course will include: group therapy in addictions, advanced professional substance abuse treatment and prevention issues including: addiction medications, tobacco cessation approaches, relapse prevention, and professional conduct in the workplace. The Addiction Counseling 12 Core Competencies of Substance Abuse Counseling and the Five Performance Domains of Substance Abuse Prevention will be reviewed throughout the Practicum Seminar.
12. GASP 5345: Research Project (aka: Research Methods II)
The graduate level course requires students to complete a major research project that will synthesize the theories, concepts, research methods, and measurement skills learned in their previous addictions studies courses. The project will involve writing a research proposal, conducting research, and making and oral presentation of research findings. This course will place and emphasis on developing practical research skills that can be applied to preventing and treating various addictions, including tobacco addiction. Additionally, the course will provide students with an opportunity to review, study and apply social research in the addiction field. It will provide a step by step classroom process which involves practical experiences in conducting research and completing scholarly projects.
FINANCIAL AID
After being accepted into the Addiction Studies Program as a regularly admitted student, a student may apply for financial assistance; pending the availability of funds offered through the program.
*FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS PROVIDED BY THE ARKANSAS MASTER TOBACCO SETTLEMENT FUND AND THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAM. THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF AND THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN ADDICTION STUDIES ARE ACCREDITED BY THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION: MEMBER-NORTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION, 30 N. LASALLE, SUITE 2400, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60602-2504. 1-800-621-7440/FAX: 312-263-7462.
For more information about financial assistance, please contact the Addiction Studies program at (870) 575-7715.