The Addiction Studies Program offers a contemporary and comprehensive study of addiction through the primary lens of Psychology. Students will explore both theoretical and evidence-based concepts, practices, and policies of Addiction and Recovery. Coursework will look at the mental and behavioral impact of substance use, addiction and recovery on individuals, families and communities while also considering how problems and solutions must meet the concerns of multicultural and diverse populations.

Addiction Studies is available as a major or a minor. There is an additional track that concentrates on addiction counseling and prepares students in becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Level 1 (LADC-1) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program prepares students for careers in the fields of substance use, behavioral disorders, and mental health counseling. These positions are often found in public and private mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice. Employment of substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent from 2020 to 2030.

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Students interested in further pursuing their careers can complete a standalone Addiction Counseling Graduate Certificate or can concentrate their studies in addiction counseling through our Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology (MA/LMHC) program

BHWET Grant
Graduate Internship Opportunity

Helping students succeed for careers in Counseling and Social Work

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Curriculum Highlights

Course of Study

BHWET Grants

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Curriculum Highlights

PSY 111 – Understanding Addiction

Required

This course is designed to help students develop an understanding of the different categories of addictions. The addictive process and recovery will be studied, including the reciprocal interaction between addicted individuals and the various social systems of which they are a part. There will also be a focus on societal contributors and responses to addictions.

3 credits

PSY 205 – Foundations of Addiction

Required

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the history of problems associated with drug and alcohol use and various forms of addiction throughout the years, and how our laws and policies around these issues have evolved following a cyclical pattern of tolerance and restraint.

3 credits

PSY 206 – Addiction Counseling

Required

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the types of problems associated with drugs and alcohol use and various forms of addition. Specific topics will include alcohol use and addiction, prescription and illegal drug use, and other forms of addictive behaviors including 91 compulsive gambling and eating disorders.

3 credits

PSY/SOC 210 – Research in the Social World

Required

Students will explore and practice research, writing and oral communication skills designed to enlighten and provide reflective analysis about the diversity of our social world. Emphasis will be placed on collecting, communicating and analyzing data and literature, the balance between qualitative and quantitative methods, and criteria for evaluating information

3 credits

PSY 219 – Addiction & Special Populations

Required

This course focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to work with vulnerable populations. The course will describe the nature of severe addiction in relation to behavioral, biological, environmental, historical, medical, and socio-cultural aspects.

3 credits

PSY 306 – Abnormal Psychology

Required

The course will discuss how these behaviors manifest and are diagnosed using the DSM-5-TR. The course will examine the contributions made by analytic, neurological, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic schools in understanding the onto genesis of abnormal behavior as well as the effectiveness of various treatment models.

3 credits

CRJ 304 – Drugs & Society

Required

An exploration of the social issues associated with the use of legal and illicit drugs in America, this course will deal with a history of drugs, drug discoveries, commercial development, pharmacological and forensic classifications, the extent of drug use, and testing and treatment of drug abusers in the United States.

3 credits

PSY 323 – Families & Addiction

Required

This course will introduce students to the role of the family and other external support systems in the maintenance and treatment of chemical dependency. Students will be introduced to the characteristics and dynamics of families, couples and significant others affected by chemical dependency and the process of addiction.

3 credits

PSY 349 – Psychopharmacology

Required

This course provides an examination of the behavioral and central nervous system effects of pharmacologic substance use, and the application of such substances to the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.

3 credits

Addictions Programming

Required

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the types of problems associated with drugs and alcohol use and various forms of addition.

3 credits

HMS 490 – Senior Seminar

Required

An advanced capstone seminar designed to help psychology and human services majors identify
and address areas in the field in which they desire further study. The course emphasizes theory,
research, and critical thinking skills and explores various theoretical frameworks from the
behavioral sciences.

3 credits

PSY 499 – Internship Seminar

Required

An opportunity for senior students to gain practical experience in the field of psychology within local agencies and community services. For majors only; minimum GPA 2.80.

3 credits

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Course Of Study

Career and Internship Opportunity

CAREER

Substance abuse counselor
Social worker
Case manager
Community outreach worker
Health educator

Program Learning Outcomes

Understand theoretical and evidence-based concepts, practices, and policies of Addiction and Recovery.
Apply knowledge of addiction, treatment, and recovery for issues individuals, families, and communities.
Exhibit behavior, skills, and attitudes to meet the concerns of multicultural and diverse populations.
Effectively communicate knowledge and research findings from the field of addiction.
Demonstrate Professional and Ethical Behavior.

The Department of Art and Design offers an Art Therapy Minor which is an excellent complementary area of study for mental health/human service majors.

Art Therapy Minor, credits (18)

This minor is an excellent introduction to the field of Art Therapy. The selection of courses is designed to provide students with functional competence with principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements and their application in drawing, two-dimensions, three-dimensions, and color theory, combined with the therapeutic coursework, forming the core foundation. This minor may be of particular interest to the Social Work or Psychology major.

Note: Students must have completed PSY101, PSY207 or PSY215, and one ART prior to ATH courses.

ART101 Drawing I
ART103 Fundamentals of Design and Color
ART105 3-D Design
ATH 150 Methods, Material, and Techniques for Art Therapists
ATH201 Art Therapy I
ATH202 Art Therapy II

For more information, please view the Art Therapy major’s webpage.

BHWET Grant: Graduate Internship Opportunity

Anna Maria College has been awarded a multi-year grant of up to $1.92 million that will support the education and clinical practices of mental health counseling and social work students. Eligible Anna Maria graduate level students will receive financial stipends, support and interdisciplinary training to strengthen their competencies. The goal is to increase the quality and quantity of mental health practitioners and substance use treatment providers. Anna Maria College is the only college in Central Massachusetts to receive this award.