Maine ranks among the top ten states in the country for Opioid-Involved Overdose death rates. In addition, treatment options have not been meeting the communities’ needs due to the sheer number of people impacted (directly and indirectly), and many healthcare providers are currently in preparation for retirement. Recognizing these unmet needs as well as an aging workforce, Maine needs a specialized program to meet workforce development in this area.
As a completely online program, this Graduate Certificate will offer current professionals the flexibility to obtain a recognized credential that can lead to career advancement and become a pathway to a Master’s Degree.
Students who successfully complete the UMA graduate certificate can sit for the national Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) exam to pursue licensing as a substance use treatment professional and can apply for the Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) certification. The CCS is a national certification allowing individuals to seek employment in all 50 states and is required to supervise Registered Alcohol and Drug Counselors (RADC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC), and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC).
UMA has received approval as a NAADAC Approved Educational Provider for the Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Disorders program. Academic programs with this approval are assured that the continuing education and academic credits provided will be accepted toward national credentialing by the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP), as well as by many of the individual state licensing/certification bodies in the addiction and other helping professions.
Questions?
Please contact Kim Lane, Professor of Mental Health & Human Services and Academic Coordinator, with any questions via email at kim.lane@maine.edu.
In May 2021, I successfully passed my LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor) national exam and believe these courses helped me with my preparation. I just applied for my CCS (Certified Clinical Supervisor) yesterday. I’m so excited for this new chapter in my life. Thank you and all the professors in this program.
—Graduate student who completed certificate in August 2021