About this Program

Graduates will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to recognize the signs and symptoms of substance abuse, understand crisis intervention and relapse prevention strategies, develop substance abuse prevention and recovery programs, treat individuals and families affected by addiction, and make ethical decisions as a human services professional. This certificate may meet the educational (didactic) requirements for addiction credentialing, such as the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) and the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor-Assistant (CSAC-A) in Virginia.

Program Highlights

  • Accredited by Council for Standards in Human Service Education

  • Courses are aligned to meet SAMHSA core competencies for addiction practice

  • Finish in six courses (18 credit hours)

  • Courses available on-campus or online

  • May meet the didactic education requirements for the Virginia Board of Counseling Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Degree Earned
Certificate
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

$47,830 Median Salary

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

$56,630 Median Salary

Provide social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of offender, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

$48,050 (Approx) Median Salary

Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.

Social and Human Service Assistants

$35,460 Median Salary

Assist in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

Alumni Careers

Virginia Beach Department of Human Services
Virginia Community Services Boards
Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
St. Brides Correctional Facility

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Addiction Prevention & Treatment at ODU?
Students entering the Certificate program in Addiction Prevention & Treatment should meet the minimum university admission requirements Undergraduate Admission.
  • Students transferring from other institutions are required to have a transcript analysis to ensure that the appropriate prerequisite requirements are met. Students' prior coursework will be evaluated by an advisor at the time of admission to the certificate program.

Transfer

At ODU, we understand that as a transfer student you have unique needs that require a wide array of campus resources. The Center for Advising Administration and Academic Partnerships aims to create a transfer inclusive culture that supports the successful...

Cost

Estimated rates for the 2024-25 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Active Duty Military Rate
Cost Per-Credit $250
Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $408
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $439
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,109

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU. For more information visit University Student Financial Aid.

Jessica Rhea Turner Scholarship

Available for one student annually that meet with requirements

Contact

Human Services Program Director

2133 EDUCATION BUILDING
NORFOLK, 23529

Human Services Online Program Director

2127 EDUCATION BUILDING
NORFOLK, 23529