Arizona State University Online Master of Science in Addiction Psychology

Why Arizona State University? 

This prestigious Tempe, Arizona public research university’s online Master of Science in Addiction Psychology. Prerequisite courses are not required. It is advised but not necessary for applicants to submit their GRE scores. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework is required of all students. The New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the university is in charge of administering the degree.

Program Snapshot

University Name Arizona State University
Location Tempe
State Arizona
Niche.com Grade A
Name of Degree Master of Science in Addiction Psychology
School or Department Administering Program New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
Credits 45
Cost per credit $857.00
Tuition for Entire Program $38,565.00
Test Requirements GRE recommended
Minimum GPA 3
Prerequisite Courses and Skills none
Campus Visit Required? no
Typical Time to Complete 2 years
When Can Students Start the Program? multiple times per year
Program Concentrations none
Synchronous classes no
Required Courses
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Addiction and Substance Abuse: Assessment and Diagnosis
  • Comorbidity in Substance Use Related Problems
  • Evidence-based Interventions for Substance Use Related Problems
  • Multicultural Issues Related to Substance Use Related Problems
  • Group Therapy for Substance Use-Related Problems
  • Case Management for Substance Use Related Problems
  • Family and Adolescent Treatment for Substance Use Related Problems
  • Supervision of Addictions Counselors
  • Research Methods
  • Seminar: Ethics
  • Practicum
  • Applied Project
Does the Program Include a Capstone? Yes
Does the program include a practicum or internship? Yes
Other Features that Make the Program Unique Distinctive Features: six credit hours of practicum, which consists of 600 hours of applied work as an addiction counselor under supervision of licensed substance abuse counselors. With support from program advisors, students arrange for a supervision experience at a licensed addiction treatment center where they are located that will provide supervision as part of the training experience.
Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program)
  • Diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse related problems, including psychopharmacology, evidence-based interventions, group therapy, and family and adolescent treatment
  • Knowledge of key issues in addiction treatment including comorbidity and multicultural issues; Ability to supervise addictions counselors
  • Ability to conduct research in the area of addictions counseling including research design and methods
  • Ability to behave ethically in an addiction treatment professional context
Program Description The program’s 45 credits can be completed within 2 years, and include a required capstone and a required internship. Students learn to diagnose and treat problems in substance abuse, and learn to conduct research in the area of addiction counseling.  

What will I Learn?

The program aims to provide a breadth and depth of curriculum covering diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse and addiction, including psychopharmacology, interventions, group therapy, comorbidity, multicultural issues and other topics. Graduates will be qualified to supervise addictions counselors and to conduct research in the field.

The required practicum consists of 600 hours of applied work as an addiction counselor under supervision of licensed substance abuse counselors. With support from program advisors, students arrange for a supervision experience at a licensed addiction treatment center where they are located that will provide supervision as part of the training experience.

Students begin the program by studying foundational topics in courses such as Psychopharmacology, Addiction and Substance Abuse and Assessment and Diagnosis. Students deepen their understanding through coursework in Comorbidity in Substance Use Related Problems, Evidence-based Interventions for Substance Use Related Problems, and Multicultural Issues Related to Substance Use Related Problems. They develop clinical skills in Group Therapy for Substance Use-Related Problems, Case Management for Substance Use Related Problems, Family and Adolescent Treatment for Substance Use Related Problems and Supervision of Addictions Counselors. Students gain fundamental skills while taking Research Methods and  Seminar: Ethics. As a capstone to the curriculum, students are required to take Practicum and Applied Project.

How much will the program cost?

Students complete their degree in two years for an overall cost of slightly under $38,565.00, or $857.00 per credit, for a total of 45 credits.

How does the program fit into my life?

Since all classes are taught asynchronously, there is no predetermined time that students must log in to take an online class. Instead, students are given regular opportunity to connect with their teacher and peers while also being obliged to complete certain online tasks each week. Online activities can include, but are not limited to, watching online lectures, completing interactive practice exercises, and participating in online group discussion. No campus visit is required. 

Within two years, students finish the curriculum. Students can begin the program as soon as they are accepted because multiple start dates are available each year. The program’s curriculum is flexible, allowing students greater choice over which courses to take and when to take them, than is offered by some other peer programs.

Summary

Offering an extraordinary opportunity to combine online learning with a highly rigorous in-person practicum experience, the ASU program will be attractive to the ambitious applicant with clear career goals. This prestigious program is highly flexible in terms of curriculum, but given the practicum requirement, applicants should carefully consider how it can be balanced with work obligations. Higher in cost than many of its peers, the program offers valuable opportunities.