Addiction and substance-use related disorders graduate certificate admission

Application deadline

The addiction and substance-use related disorders graduate certificate offers a rolling admission with multiple start dates throughout the year, including two fall sessions, two spring sessions and one summer session:

• Fall Session A (August start)
• Fall Session B (October start)
• Spring Session A (January start)
• Spring Session B (March start)
• Summer Session C (May start)

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply early to ensure adequate time for admission processing before your desired start date. Please refer to the ASU Academic Calendar for current session start dates and important academic deadlines.

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission, you must have:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a health, behavioral health or counseling-related field from a regionally accredited institution or an equivalent international institution
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in the last 60 credit hours of your first bachelor’s degree program
  or
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) in an applicable master’s degree program

Applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
 

Required application materials

To be considered for admission, you must submit the following supporting materials along with ASU’s graduate application and application fee:

• Official transcripts
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• One letter of recommendation
• Personal statement
• Proof of English proficiency, if applicable
  
   

Certification and licensure information

This graduate certificate is approved by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and includes coursework covering the seven core content areas commonly required for addiction counseling licensure in Arizona and many other states.

All U.S. states require certification or licensure for addiction counselors, though requirements vary by state and level of practice. Most states offer multiple licensure pathways, including bachelor’s-level credentials requiring ongoing supervision and master’s-level credentials that support independent practice.

• Learn more about Arizona’s certification and licensure requirements
• View ASU professional licensure disclosures
   

Once your application is submitted, program leadership will review your materials to determine whether you meet admission requirements for the certificate program.

If admitted, you will receive an official admission notification with instructions for confirming enrollment and completing next steps through My ASU.