Academics

Western Michigan University's Specialty Program in Alcohol and Drug Abuse (SPADA) offers an undergraduate minor in addiction studies as well as two graduate certificates.

Undergrad Minor

The 21-credit undergraduate minor in addiction studies can be completed entirely online, face-to-face, or a combination of the two modalities. The minor prepares you to effectively function with abuse issues in professional and personal arenas.

Credit hours in the minor can be applied to the educational requirement for the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification. This is the entry-level credential for certified addictions counselors in Michigan. 

Please refer to the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for all requirements.

Grad Certificates

There are two graduate certificates offered in SPADA. We offer a 9-credit hour and 18-credit hour certificate. 

These programs are designed for working professionals and graduate students in counseling and health care disciplines. 

Course credit hours for both certificates can be applied to the educational requirements for the Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Credential and the Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) Credential.

Please refer to the Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) for all requirements.