Addiction Studies
Asking for help can be hard. Learning to give professional-level support is a journey worth taking.
Walk with Those Pursuing Sobriety or Recovery
Gain the knowledge and skills to work in the field of substance abuse and addiction. Learn about the range of evidence-based treatment approaches. Discover challenges in assessment and co-occurring disorders.
Prepare for Certification in Michigan
Michigan’s path to becoming a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) includes both
required education and required work experience. Completing this certificate satisfies
the current education requirements.
Before you take the state certification exam, you can work or volunteer under licensed
supervision to gain the required work experience.
Pre-CADC jobs include:
- Peer recovery coach
- Behavioral health technician
- Recovery support specialist
After licensing, our graduates often continue to work in those roles or go on to careers as:
- Addiction counselors*
- Substance abuse counselors*
- Sober living case managers
*Requires significant additional education
Review Details for State Certification
The Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) manages the requirements
and exams for the many levels of certification available in this field.
Begin planning your path by looking over the MCBAP site. In addition to the CADC (your
goal after this certificate), you can see where this profession might lead.
Program Highlights
These outcomes are what you can expect to learn through engagement of this program.
Critical Thinking
- Uses information to formulate an opinion or conclusion.
A Job that Matters
This certificate prepares you for entry level work in this field as a peer recovery
coach, community health worker, technician, or assistant. If you continue with your
education after this certificate, you can become a substance abuse counselor.
Overall employment of substance abuse counselors (requires a master’s degree or higher)
is projected to grow 17% percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for
all occupations.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Get Started Today!
Begin your studies with these steps:
- Apply to OCC. If you’re not already an OCC student, create a profile and complete our online application.
- On the application, select ‘Addiction Studies.’
- Existing OCC students: Update your academic program using the Change of Program Form.
Continue to an Associate Degree, Maybe Beyond
Your credits can become part of an associate degree in mental health and social work,
or take you further. All your certificate courses are also part of the curriculum
for the Mental Health & Social Work Associate Degree.
Many of our graduates complete a four-year degree, and some earn master’s or doctoral
degrees. As you study and practice in the field, you will begin to see the difference
you can make and the path that works for you.
Prepare to Transfer – Even if You Are Not Planning to Today!
Maximize your OCC-applicable credits upon transfer. Plan early and work with an OCC counselor or advisor throughout your OCC experience. If you pursue an associate in applied science, you
may satisfy the Michigan Transfer Agreement by taking as few as four additional courses. Save time, money and aggravation!
Whatever your program of study, OCC has many Transfer Credit Agreements with colleges and universities to help you navigate your way to a bachelor's degree.
View the College Transfer Success Guide for more information.
Contact Information
Reach out to Counseling and Advising. They can help you with the next step for you to achieve your goals.
More to Explore
Considering a certificate in Addiction Studies? You might also be interested in these programs:
