Wisconsin Addiction Counseling Schools & Licensure Information

Licensure Information

The Department of Regulation and Licensing oversees the certification process. Their contact information is:

P.O. Box 8935, Suite B
Madison, WI 53708 USA
Phone: 608-266-2112
Web: http://drl.wi.gov/profession.asp?profid=56&locid=0

Steps to get licensed as a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor:

1) Education

Before licensing can even be applied for, an applicant needs to have proof of graduation from an accredited college study program associated with behavioral science. The criteria can be met by any completed degree from an associate level to a master’s or doctorate, as long as 360 hours have been completed in substance abuse disorder counseling. This level of education is documented during the application process on an Education & Training Form# 2751 with transcripts attached.

2) Complete Applications and Pay Fees

With the education criteria met, the applicant then needs to fully address the application paperwork under the Application for Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor. This includes also providing the necessary documentation requested in the application as well as paying the required state fees for processing.

3) Successfully passing the examinations

With the application accepted by the state, the applicant must then pass the state licensing examination design to test and assure the applicant has the required knowledge for counseling. The test involves an open-book process and examinees need to pass with at least a 76 percent correct score. Get exam details and how to register here, http://www.drl.wisconsin.gov/Default.aspx?Page=8023725a-45d5-4d9b-84b2-f67680e41224

4) Required supervised counseling experience

Finally, the applicant must perform supervised counseling for 7,000 hours. The time has to be completed within five years of filing the application for licensing in the first place. Further, it’s not just an open practice; 2,000 hours have to be applied to in-person counseling of patients. That said, an applicant gets time credit for education time already spent, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 hours depending on the degree earned.

When all the above is completed and documented, then an applicant can gain full licensure to be a substance abuse counselor in the state of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Schools Offering an Addiction Counseling Education

University of Wisconsin - Madison

Among Wisconsin addiction counseling schools, the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a certificate program in substance abuse counseling and offers degree programs up the doctorate level.

Marquette University

Margquette offers a graduate level degree (Master's) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) with a specialization in Addiction Counseling. The courses they offer include:

COUN 6000 Introduction to Counseling
COUN 6003 Foundations of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
COUN 6010 Professional Ethics and Legal Issues
COUN 6020 Life-Span Human Development
COUN 6002 Addictions Counseling (Specialization)

Learn more about the Master's of Science program at Margquette University on their website.

Viterbo University

Viterbo offers a major in Addiction Studies ADCT, which will help you fulfill the education requirements and help prepare you for the licensing exam. They offer an Online Addiction Studies Degree Completion program as well.

Courses include:

PSYC100/171 - General Psychology
PSYC205 - Introduction to Chemical Dependency (SUDS)
PSYC270 - Interviewing and Helping Relationship
PSYC305 - Psychopharmacology
ADCT 330 - Critical Inquiry in Substance Abuse Issues
PSYC/ADCT 427 - Alcohol and Drug Abuse Professional Skills(SUDS)
PSYC/ADCT 489 - Advanced Research and Practice

See their addiction studies informational pdf for more information.