Why Choose ODU for Addiction Prevention and Treatment?

Be part of the solution in a field that changes lives. ODU’s online undergraduate certificate in addiction prevention and treatment helps you build practical skills to recognize substance use concerns, support prevention and recovery, and serve individuals and families with care and professionalism.

You’ll follow guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration while completing a defined sequence of courses focused on prevention, intervention, ethics and community practice. The program totals 18 credit hours across six human services courses. It can be taken by itself or added to majors like criminal justice, psychology, or health services administration.

This certificate may meet educational requirements that contribute toward professional credentialing in addiction prevention and treatment. Because licensure and certification rules vary by state, you should review requirements with the appropriate board where you plan to practice.

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If you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree, we can provide a free unofficial evaluation of your domestic transcript(s).





Addiction Counselor Credentials

This certificate prepares you for the post-graduation residency program phase for Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) or Certified Substance Abuse Counselor-Assistant (CSAC-A) credentialing in Virginia. It may fulfill the educational hours required to take the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level I (NCAC-I) exam as set by the Virginia Board of Counseling.

If you plan to seek credentialing outside of Virginia, please contact your state board to determine how this certificate can meet your state’s requirements.

If you plan to seek credentialing outside the U.S., we encourage you to consider our Human Services bachelor’s program.

Play Assistant professor Chaniece Winfield, Ph.D., is interviewed about the Addiction Prevention and Treatment certificate at ODU.

Program Information

Total
18 Credit Hours

You will take a total of six courses to complete this certificate.

Explore Course Descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog

Accelerated Courses

Courses in this program follow an accelerated 8-week format.

Many classes don't have a scheduled meeting time, so you can fit class into your personal schedule. You will access course materials and complete assignments online. The instructor may schedule specific deadlines for assignments or specific times to take exams.

In order to work as a substance abuse counselor, you must be licensed or certified. Some states accept national certification with reciprocity agreements, while others require licensure at the state level. State level requirements vary.

This certificate's coursework prepares you for the post-graduation residency program phase of Virginia CSAC or CSAC-A credentialing. It may fulfill educational hours required to take the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level I (NCAC-I) exam as set by the Virginia Board of Counseling.

If you plan to practice outside Virginia, we encourage you to contact your state's licensing authority to determine specific requirements. Use our licensure disclosure directory link to find contact information for your state.

If you have questions about how this certificate can help you meet your career goals, please contact us using the form above.

View ODU's state licensure disclosure directory

Learn about state authorization and licensure

Total
18 Credit Hours

You will take a total of six courses to complete this certificate.

Explore Course Descriptions in the Undergraduate Catalog

Accelerated Courses

Courses in this program follow an accelerated 8-week format.

Many classes don't have a scheduled meeting time, so you can fit class into your personal schedule. You will access course materials and complete assignments online. The instructor may schedule specific deadlines for assignments or specific times to take exams.

In order to work as a substance abuse counselor, you must be licensed or certified. Some states accept national certification with reciprocity agreements, while others require licensure at the state level. State level requirements vary.

This certificate's coursework prepares you for the post-graduation residency program phase of Virginia CSAC or CSAC-A credentialing. It may fulfill educational hours required to take the National Certified Addiction Counselor Level I (NCAC-I) exam as set by the Virginia Board of Counseling.

If you plan to practice outside Virginia, we encourage you to contact your state's licensing authority to determine specific requirements. Use our licensure disclosure directory link to find contact information for your state.

If you have questions about how this certificate can help you meet your career goals, please contact us using the form above.

View ODU's state licensure disclosure directory

Learn about state authorization and licensure

Cost & Aid

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Calculating Cost
In-state Virginia Residents
$268 per credit hour*
Out-of-State Students
$444 per credit hour

Active duty military students may qualify for a discounted undergraduate tuition rate.

These tuition rates are effective Fall 2025 and subject to change. 

Explore ODUGlobal Cost & Aid
Military Cost & Aid

* In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

Careers

When you complete this program, you will have an academic certificate in addiction prevention and treatment. We designed this program to benefit current undergraduate students as well as working mental health professionals. You can apply the skills you learn in public and private settings such as:

  • Residential and rehabilitation centers
  • Detoxification centers
  • Hospitals and medical clinics
  • Addiction treatment and recovery centers/programs
  • Methadone and Suboxone clinics
  • Geriatric facilities
  • Jails and prisons
  • Courts and probation settings
  • Schools and adolescent/youth programs
  • Social service settings
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Growth
11.6%
Median Salary
$55,960
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Growth
N/A%
Social and Human Service Assistants
Growth
7.9%
Median Salary
$41,410
Community Health Workers
Growth
13.1%
Median Salary
$48,200

Undergraduate Certificate Enrollment

Our dedicated enrollment team will guide your transition to ODUGlobal.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.

Meet Your Team

If you're a student at ODU, talk to your advisor about adding this addiction prevention and treatment certificate to your studies.

Working professionals and undergraduate students at other institutions can take this certificate by applying to ODU as a non-degree seeking undergraduate student. They should also have:

  • undergraduate coursework and/or degree from a regionally-accredited institution or the equivalent from a foreign institution;
  • transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work at those institutions.
  • If your native language is not English, take the TOEFL with a minimum of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL or 80 on the TOEFL iBT.
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