Behavioral & Addictions Counseling
Courses
BACS 500 Theories of Counseling 4.0 Credits
This online, graduate level course provides a comprehensive survey of the major counseling theories and principles. Coursework includes the following theories: psychoanalytic, Adlerian, existential psychotherapy, person-centered, gestalt, behavioral, cognitive behavioral, reality therapy/choice theory, postmodern approaches, family systems, multicultural perspectives, and integrative approaches.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 510 Introduction to Addictions and Substance Use Disorder 3.0 Credits
This course provides a broad overview of the psychological and biological models of addictions and the ways in which addictions and substance-use disorders affect specific populations. The basic understanding of addictions and substance use disorders will equip students to develop specific skills and competencies in treatment of substance use disorders.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 530 Understanding Prevention and Prevention Programs 3.0 Credits
This course provides a comprehensive overview of prevention theories and prevention programming related to substance use disorders. Course topics include principles and models of prevention, evidence-based practices, strategic planning, and outcome evaluation. This course will focus on use, and the interaction between the person at risk and the environment. Effective programs motivate individuals to make low-risk choices though a variety of evidence-based practices including the social norms approach, environmental interventions, and public health models.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 531 Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences 4.0 Credits
This course focuses on research methods for behavioral health, and is designed to review contemporary research methods through a multi-method approach. Issues in the clinical assessment of individuals, couples, and families will be explored from diverse contextual variables.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 532 Ethical Issues in Addictions Counseling 4.0 Credits
This course discusses the philosophical, legal, and moral responsibilities of Addictions Counselors. Students examine and discuss a wide array of ethical issues and moral dilemmas and will work to establish knowledge and skills to perform ethical decision-making using an ethical decision making model.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 534 Approaches to Substance Use Disorders 3.0 Credits
This course explores the bio-psycho-social impact of substance use disorders on individuals and their families. Students learn about the continuum of substance use and evidence-based practices associated with recovery. Students also experience first-hand the challenges in developing motivation for behavior change.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 535 Motivational Enhancement Skills 3.0 Credits
In this online, graduate level course, students learn to employ Motivational Interviewing, the Transtheoretical Model of Counseling (stages of change), and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy strategies in the treatment of substance use disorders. Experiential activities assist the student in understanding conceptual frameworks and in developing effective counseling skills.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 537 Psychopharmacology & Addictions 3.0 Credits
This course provides a broad understanding of psychopharmacology theories of substance use disorder and treatment. This course provides an overview on drug use as a social problem and a brief analysis on the history of drug policies in the United States. Coursework includes learning about the adverse effects and dynamics of substance use disorders on the nervous system and actions of drugs (stimulants, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, psychedelics, cannabis, as well as dietary supplements, over-the-counter drugs, performance-enhancing drugs, and medications for mental disorders) Preventing substance abuse and treating substance use disorders and drug policy alternatives are also discussed.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 540 Treatment Planning and Relapse Prevention 3.0 Credits
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the recovery process including factors influencing relapse. Marlatt’s relapse prevention model is used to explore the antecedents and consequences of substance use, risks associated with relapse, and the paths to recovery as experienced by people with a variety of co-occurring behavioral health disorders. In addition, comprehensive treatment and admission planning will be explored in order to understand how to execute relapse prevention and recovery planning. Understanding the purpose of the treatment plan and how to execute a treatment plan from intake to discharge will be taught.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 541 Addictions Practicum Supervision I 2.0 Credits
This course facilitates student development of foundational skills necessary for the practice of an advanced addictions counselor. Students are expected to spend two hours weekly in group supervision (with an approved supervisor) and 10 hours of addictions counseling practice.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 542 Addictions Practicum Supervision II 2.0 Credits
This course facilitates student development of foundational skills necessary for the practice of an advanced addictions counselor. Students are expected to spend two hours weekly in group supervision (with an approved supervisor) and 10 hours of addictions counseling practice.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 543 Addictions Practicum Supervision III 2.0 Credits
This course facilitates student development of foundational skills necessary for the practice of an advanced addictions counselor. Students are expected to spend two hours weekly in group supervision (with an approved supervisor) and 10 hours of addictions counseling practice.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 545 Psychopathology & Co-Occurring Disorders 3.0 Credits
This course provides a broad understanding of psychopathology and co-occurring disorders. This course provides an overview on psychological symptoms and problems related to co-occurring disorders. This course also explores the treatment needs of persons with co-occurring disorders. Coursework includes learning about co-occurring disorders and types of medications prescribed to treat substance use and/or mental health disorders.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 560 Preventing Substance Use Disorders 3.0 Credits
This course provides a comprehensive overview of prevention theories and prevention programming related to substance use disorders. Course topics include principles and models of prevention, evidence-based practices, strategic planning, and outcome evaluation. A paradigm shift is occurring in substance use prevention programming. We are less focused on the use, and more focused on the user / environment interaction. New, effective programs motivate individuals to make low-risk choices though a variety of evidence-based practices including the social norms approach, environmental interventions, and public health models. Strategies for assessing target communities and then developing specific prevention programs will also be examined.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 568 Substance Use Counseling with Special Populations 3.0 Credits
The focus of this course is on effective approaches to assessing and treating people with substance use disorders who have unique needs. These populations include youth, older adults, women, people with co-occurring physical or psychiatric disabilities and members of the LGBT community. Appreciating how the values and attitudes of society and health care professionals influence working with these special populations are issues of particular importance.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 570 Clinical Supervision Skills 3.0 Credits
This course is an introduction to theoretical and practical issues associated with clinically supervising the substance use disorders practitioner. The course covers models, strategies, legal and ethical considerations, and stages of supervision. An emphasis is placed on leadership in promoting evidence-based best practice in behavioral health.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 573 Group Dynamics and Techniques 4.0 Credits
This course prepares students to develop advanced skills necessary for group facilitation. Students engage in readings, didactic learning, and experiential activities to develop their group facilitations skills.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: BACS 570 [Min Grade: B]
BACS 646 Multicultural Approaches in Addictions Counseling 4.0 Credits
This course explores how sociocultural concepts define and affect social, interpersonal, and professional interactions in addictions counseling. This class will explore an understanding of issues and trends in a multicultural and diverse society, multicultural counseling and identity development and multicultural competencies.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
BACS 672 Family Trauma and Addictive Disorders 4.0 Credits
This course explores the assessment of the impact of both acute and chronic trauma on family members and the response of the family system. This course examines addiction in the context of the family system including relapse and recovery, emphasis on family system, techniques of addictions counseling, both internal trauma (domestic violence) and external trauma are investigated.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: BACS 540 [Min Grade: C]
BACS T580 Special Topics in Behavioral & Addictions Counseling 1.0-3.0 Credit
This course focuses on topics of current interest to faculty and student in the fields of behavioral and addictions counseling; specific topics for each term will be announced prior to registration. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
