FAQ's & Policies
Certificate Program in Addiction Counseling
LMU EXTENSION Public Health Studies Division now offers certificate programs in Addiction Counseling, Criminal Justice Addictions Professional, and Co-Occurring Disorders. The Addiction Counseling Program has been developed to exceed the State of California addiction counselor certification regulations, which require anyone who provides counseling services in alcohol and other drug treatment programs to become certified. (Please see www.adp.ca.gov for more information on the state regulations). LMU Extension’s 45-unit program, which can be completed in less than 11 months, will prepare the student for certification through the California Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (www.caadac.org). Classes are offered in the evenings and on weekends. Both our online and weekend coursework award Continuing Education Units to the practicing professional as well. Students may commence the program at the beginning of any one of our three semester cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where can I get more detailed information on the program?
A: Complete details on the program and a current class schedule can be viewed on the LMU Extension web site at http://extension.lmu.edu/acc. If you are not able to access the Internet, a brochure and course details will be mailed to you on request. You may also call the Addiction Counseling Program Coordinator or the Admissions Coordinator to discuss participation at 310.338-8212
Q: How long will it take to complete the program?
A: The program consists of 45 units (450 classroom hours), in conjunction with 255 fieldwork hours, all of which can be completed in just under 11 months, with permission of the Program Coordinator. However, most students choose a longer time span, approximately 16 months.
Q:
How many units is each course?
A: Courses vary from 1- 4.5 units. Classes are scheduled weekly for between 6 and 16 weeks.
Q: What is the cost per unit?
A: The program is affordably and competitively priced at $125 per unit. Books are additional. Tuition assistance may be available for uniquely qualified students. Parking on the LMU campus is FREE.
Q: I’ve heard there is a Tuition Assistance Program at LMU. Where can I find out more?
A: The Addiction Counseling Certificate Program at LMU is supported, in part, by a generous endowment provided by Tom and Katherine Pike. Students must contact our Records and Registration Specialist, Pat Ranftl, by email, at pranftl@lmu.edu and request a tuition assistance application package.
Please note: In addition to the personal essay and financial disclosure documents, each package must contain a completed registration form for the desired courses, a 50% tuition deposit towards those courses, and be submitted by the deadline for that term.
Q: When do classes begin?
A: Students may commence the program at the beginning of any semester cycle.The Fall 2008 semester begins Monday, September 8th, and the Spring 2009 semester begins Monday, January 12th. Certain classes begin at various times within in the semester. Complete schedule details are published in the LMU Extension continuing education catalog, or on our website at http://extension.lmu.edu/acc
Q: When are the classes held?
A: Classes are scheduled on Monday through Thursday evenings, and meet from 7:15pm - 9:45 pm.
There are also Saturday daytime classes. One of our courses is taught online via the Internet, utilizing the "Blackboard" virtual classroom interface.
Q. Can I complete all the coursework online?
A. Only a single, one-unit class within our program is offered online. We are unable to embrace distance learning in this specialized niche of counseling.
Q. Can I transfer my classes for college credit?
A.“Articulation Agreements” with West Los Angeles College and Antioch University are currently in place, allowing acceptance of certain coursework into their undergraduate degree-granting programs. Other such agreements are vigorously being sought with other undergraduate degree-granting institutions. Coursework is deemed transferable on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the receiving institution, not by any warranty of LMU, or LMU Extension. LMU Extension coursework is not transferable to any Loyola Marymount University undergraduate or graduate program.
Q: How soon can I register?
A: Enrollment is open now. Enrollment options include:
· Register online at http://extension.lmu.edu/acc
· Register by telephone - 310.338.1971
· Register by mail - send a completed enrollment form to:
Pat Ranftl
Records and Registration Specialist
University Hall
1 LMU Drive, Suite 1840
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659
· Register via fax - 310.338.2706.
Please note: LMU Extension accepts payment by check, Visa or MasterCard. We are unable to accept cash transactions, Discover or American Express cards.
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: LMU Extension has identified a source for educational loans through Wells Fargo Education Loans at www.wellsfargo.com/student.
Q: Will the program prepare me for the CAADAC exam to become a CADCA?
A: Completion of the LMU Addiction Counseling Certificate will prepare students to sit for the CAADAC written examamination to become a CADCA (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor Associate). More information on this program, and the CAADAC career ladder, may be accessed via the Internet at www.caadac.org
Q.
What Addiction Counseling classes are offered in which semesters?
A. Fall 2008
Drugs, Society, and Behavior (4.5)
Introduction to Behavioral Psychology for Addictions (3)
Group Counseling (4.5)
Choice Theory for Addiction Counselors (3)
Professional Development/Internship (3)
Ethics (3)
Co-Occurring Disorders (4.5)
12-Step Programs (1.5)
Relapse Prevention (1.5)
CCBADC Test Preparation Workshop (Elective, 10 CEU’s)
Spring 2009
Case Management and Counseling Skills (4.5)
Co-Occurring Disorders 4.5)
Advanced Counseling Skills (4.5)
Prevention, Education, and Early Intervention (1) (ONLINE)
Choice Theory for Addiction Counselors (3)
Introduction to Behavioral Psychology for Addictions (3)
Professional Development/Internship (1.5)
Ethics (3)
12-Step Programs (1.5)
Relapse Prevention (1.5)
Philosophy of Spirituality in Recovery (2)
Group Counseling (4.5)
CCBADC Test Preparation Workshop – (Elective, 10 CEU’s)
Summer 2009
Family Counseling (3)
Prevention, Education, and Early Intervention (1) (ONLINE)
Professional Development/Internship (1.5)
Philosophy of Spirituality in Recovery (2)
Ethics (3)
Other Policies and Information
Changes and Cancellations
The University reserves the right to make changes in fees, faculty assignments, room locations and schedules, and to cancel any course that does not meet minimum enrollment. Every attempt will be made to notify enrollees of changes in the published schedule.
Parking/Vehicle Registration
Students taking classes in University Hall may park on levels P2 & P3, directly below University Hall, without a permit. All students must enter the campus through via LMU Drive and Lincoln Blvd. Students taking classes on the upper campus may park in any appropriate space without a permit after 4pm. All other parking areas require a parking permit. Permits are not generally needed for one–day or Saturday classes.
Transcripts
Transcripts are free of charge; requests are to be directed to the University Registrar. Processing time is a minimum of two weeks. Request forms can be obtained at http://registrar.lmu.edu.
Withdrawals/Refunds
To withdraw from a class, notify LMU Extension in writing, or by email to pranftl@lmu.edu. Tuition refunds are available ONLY in accordance with established University policy: Before the first class: 100%; Before the second meeting of a class lasting four or more weeks: 50%; No refund is given for one-day classes.
Attendance & Certification Standards
The Educational Standards Committee of CAADAC, (CCBADC) requires a minimum attendance of 70% for each course. Additionally, every student must maintain a letter grade of “C” or higher for each individual class to qualify for an LMU Extension-issued Certificate in Addiction Counseling.
Transferring LMU Extension Credits
LMU Extension courses cannot be transferred to any degree granting program at Loyola Marymount University.
Transferring Credits into the Addiction Counseling Certificate Program
Credit for work completed at another community college or university may be accepted toward the satisfaction of the Addiction Counseling Certificate Program within the limitations of curriculum compatibility, residence requirements, and transfer maximums. Courses with grades below a “C” (2.0) do not transfer. A maximum of 12 semester hours may be transferred. It is the responsibility of the student to submit an official transcript, course outline and syllabus for the class(es) to be considered. An evaluation of the submitted course work will be reviewed. Please submit this information to: Pat Ranftl, Record & Registration Specialist, LMU Extension, 1 LMU Drive, Suite 1840, Los Angeles, CA, 90045.
All Policies
For a comprehensive resource of all LMU Extension policies and procedures, please refer to the link “Policies” on the lower left of the main LMU Extension web page. In the event that any of the policies stated above conflict with the comprehensive official policies contained within the link on our main web page, the policies above are superseded.