Addiction Counseling Professional Program

Program Overview

The Addiction Counseling Professional Program (ACPP) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha is an innovative, multidisciplinary initiative developed through a partnership between the UNO Counseling Department and the Grace Abbott School of Social Work to address the growing shortage of addiction treatment professionals across Nebraska and the Midwest. The program provides coordinated education and professional development across the career lifespan of addiction counselors—from recruiting future providers, to educating students, to supporting practicing professionals through continuing education and supervision.

Addiction Counseling Professional Program Certificate

The Addiction Counseling Professional Program Certificate offers educational pathways that allow students and working professionals to complete the coursework required for addiction counselor licensure. Courses are offered fully online to increase access for students throughout Nebraska and the surrounding region. The program also offers a clinical practicum course to complete the 300 hours of clinical experience needed for licensure. Graduate Counseling and Social Work students can align their addiction counseling coursework with their degree programs, enabling them to become eligible for addiction counselor licensure while simultaneously completing their mental health training. The Addiction Counseling Certificate is for professionals returning to obtain the educational requirements for Provisional Alcohol and Drug Counseling Licensure.

Program of Study

To successfully complete the program, students must take the following courses:

COUN/SOWK 4510/8516 Clinical Treatment Issues of Substance Use Disorders (3 credits)
COUN/SOWK 4680/8686 Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Substance Use Disorders (3 credits)
COUN/SOWK 4690/8696 Assessment and Case Management of Substance Use Disorders (3 credits)
COUN 8220 Practicum - ACPP (3 credits) + 300 Hours under LADC Supervision

Download the Program of Study

Licensure Requirements

As the Addictions Counseling Certificate Program (ACPP) Certificate is a graduate-level training program designed for students enrolled in graduate degree programs leading toward professional licensure in the state of Nebraska, students must meet the following educational requirements for provisional licensure:

Be enrolled in a graduate degree program that prepares them for licensure as a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) or another qualifying mental health credential in Nebraska.
Earn a graduate degree that meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (PLMHP) in Nebraska.
Successfully complete the three required courses that satisfy the educational requirements for Provisionally Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (PLADC) licensure.
Complete a 300-hour practicum under the supervision of an approved on-site LADC supervisor.

Please note that provisional licensure is granted by the State of Nebraska, not by the department or the university. Completion of the ACPP and the requirements listed above does not guarantee licensure. Students are responsible for ensuring they meet all applicable state licensure requirements. For additional information, please visit the Nebraska LADC licensure website.

How to Apply

If you are a current University of Nebraska Student, but are not a UNO student, you may apply for Intercampus enrollment

If you are not a University of Nebraska student, to be considered for the UNO Addiction Counseling Professional Program Certificate, you must

Apply as an unclassified student at UNO:

Visit UNO Admissions
Select "Graduate Student"
Create an account
Select "Unclassified" for the program
Provide your SSN to create an NUID number (important for former UNO students to avoid duplicate NUIDs)
Submit all required materials
Pay the application fee

For questions about applying, contact the graduate office at gradschool@unomaha.edu or 402.554.2341.