Psychology & Rehab nows offers substance abuse certification

Southern University Department of Psychology and Rehabilitation Services is now offering courses for substance abuse counseling certification.
Psychology and rehabilitation majors, as well as outside majors are eligible.
Applications are currently being accepted for Fall 2002. Psychology and rehabilitation majors must complete five courses for counseling certification, which are incorporated into the curricula. One stand- alone course, Therapeutic Approaches to Substance Abuse Counseling (PSYCH 335) is offered on Monday evenings to accommodate non-traditional students. A web-based course will also be offered fall 2002.
The counseling courses can be used as free electives for psychology and rehabilitation majors without adding additional courses to prolong graduation.
This certification will also enhance the value of the degree.
“It (the certification) increases their marketability,” Murelle G. Harrison, Department of Psychology and Rehabilitation Services Chair.
Harrison also said students have expressed interest in substance abuse counseling certification in the past.
The Louisiana State Board of Certification for Substance Abuse Counseling approved Southern for substance abuse counseling in December, along with Nicholls State University and Northwestern State University, as part of the Distance Education Grant from the Louisiana State Board of Regents.
The Office for Addictive Disorders developed the counseling courses in collaboration with the Louisiana State Board of Certification for Substance Abuse Counselors because of the shortage of certified counselors.
All interested students can pick up applications in Blanks Hall, room 317.