07-27-2021, 06:31 PM
Interesting this topic is coming up.
A lot depends on the requirements of the specific state you are in. In some states, one has to have a masters degree and license eligibility in some form of counseling (LPCC, MSW, MFT). In many other states, including California, one needs only about 10 college-level courses.
As far as alternative credit providers, Coopersmith has the best collection I've seen, and there is almost enough there to (theoretically) meet the requirements for the many states that only require the 10 or so classes. The catch is the internship/practicum. You'd have to find a school (probably locally) willing to take you on for only the practicum. I've been in discussions with one of the certifying agencies in CA about this because I suspect there are a lot of people who would like to become an SUD counselor and also have the option to complete college later on.
There are many non-accredited private programs that offer SUD education that's recognized in the states that accept the minimal credit certification, but none of those programs are accredited (at least, not by a regional accreditor) and so the credits would be difficult to transfer. If the Coopersmith solution works, it could open doors for a lot of SUD counselors.
A lot depends on the requirements of the specific state you are in. In some states, one has to have a masters degree and license eligibility in some form of counseling (LPCC, MSW, MFT). In many other states, including California, one needs only about 10 college-level courses.
As far as alternative credit providers, Coopersmith has the best collection I've seen, and there is almost enough there to (theoretically) meet the requirements for the many states that only require the 10 or so classes. The catch is the internship/practicum. You'd have to find a school (probably locally) willing to take you on for only the practicum. I've been in discussions with one of the certifying agencies in CA about this because I suspect there are a lot of people who would like to become an SUD counselor and also have the option to complete college later on.
There are many non-accredited private programs that offer SUD education that's recognized in the states that accept the minimal credit certification, but none of those programs are accredited (at least, not by a regional accreditor) and so the credits would be difficult to transfer. If the Coopersmith solution works, it could open doors for a lot of SUD counselors.
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