About the Certificate
By completing the Addiction Counseling Certificate, students will:
- Develop foundational understanding of human development, wellness, and mental health
- Build facilitative skills to support diverse individuals and communities
- Explore contextual influences on overall health and well-being
- Put learning into practice through engagement in their communities
Who Can Benefit From This Certificate?
This certificate is a strong fit for working adults serving their communities, especially in rural and underserved areas of Tennessee, as well as undergraduate students in fields like human development and family science, social work, nursing, and psychology. It’s designed for those seeking entry-level addiction counseling roles or looking to complement a related degree with a workforce-ready credential.
Courses for Fall 2026:
COUN 240: Foundations of Addiction
Foundations of Addiction Counseling introduces students to the science, theory, and practice of working with individuals affected by substance use and addictive disorders — from neuroscience and diagnosis to counseling skills, cultural considerations, and advocacy.
COUN 242: Rural Addictions
Rural Addictions explores the unique challenges, cultural dynamics, and innovative treatment approaches that define addiction counseling in rural communities, centering the voices of real Tennessee practitioners to prepare students for place-based, community-grounded practice.
Spring 2027:
COUN 241: Psychopharmacology of Addiction
Psychopharmacology of Addiction explores how substances affect the brain and behavior, equipping students with the neurobiological knowledge and evidence-based skills needed to assess and treat substance use disorders across various populations.
COUN 242: Rural Addictions