Undergraduate Addiction Studies Certificate
Addiction is a chronic disease that is treatable and can be successfully managed. However, research is needed to understand its causes and to investiage new treatments to help those with addiction.
Students can explore this important field through coursework in psychology, social work, sociology and medical pharmacology. Then, these courses can be brought together to earn the Addiction Studies Certificate. This transcripted certificate allows students to demonstrate their training at Mizzou to employers and graduate & medical programs.
The Addiction Studies Certificate will help prepare students to find many jobs within the health and counseling sectors immediately after graduation. Students with a bachelor’s degree and an addiction certificate can find employment in many work settings, including mental health centers, schools, and prisons. Specific jobs include caseworkers in substance abuse treatment clinics or aides in community mental health centers. Job prospects for occupations involved in treating and preventing substance abuse are projected to grow by 22% in 2014-2024 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015)..
What are the requirements for the Addictions Studies Certificate?
To receive a Certificate in Neuroscience, an undergraduate student must complete 12 credit hours of approved coursework.
- All certificate coursework must be completed at the University of Missouri – Columbia.
- At least 6 of the 12 credit hours must be 3000-level or above.
- A maximum of 6 credit hours from any department may be applied to the 12 credit hour requirement.
- Certificate course grades must be C or better, no C- or below will be accepted.
- A maximum of 3 pre-approved credit hours may be in Special Problems/Research, Readings or Internship coursework. Students must demonstrate the experiential learning is related to addiction studies.
I'm not earning my degree in Psychology, can I still earn the Certificate?
Yes! Any undergraduate student is eligible to receive a certificate in Addiction Studies.
What are the approved courses for the Certificate?
- Introduction to Addiction Science (PSYCH-2520) is required.
- Either Drugs & Behavior (PSYCH-2220) or Drugs & Society (SOCIOL-4620) is required. While either PSYCH-2220 or SOCIOL-4620 is a required course, students may take both courses to count toward certificate. One will count as the required course and one can count as an elective.
- Two additional courses from the approved course list below.
ESC_PS 4185 |
Health Behavior: Drug and Sexuality Education |
MPP 2010 |
Science of Sex, Drugs, and Rock ’n’ Roll |
MPP 4204 |
Medical Pharmacology |
PSYCH 2110 |
Learning, Memory, and Cognition |
PSYCH 2210 |
Mind, Brain, and Behavior |
PSYCH 2510 |
Abnormal Psychology |
PSYCH 3830 |
Health Psychology |
PSYCH 4520 |
Physiological Psychology |
PSYCH 4580 |
Externalizing Spectrum Disorders |
SOC_WK 4330 |
Addiction Treatment and Prevention |
SOC_WK 4370 |
Delinquency, Corrections and Social Treatment |
SOC_WK 4400 |
Domestic Violence |
SOCIOL 1650 |
Social Deviance |
SOCIOL 3255 |
Youth in Today’s World |
SOCIOL 3440 |
Sociology of Health |
SOCIOL 3600 |
Criminology |
SOCIOL 4630 |
Sociology of Mental Health |
WGST 2050 |
Gender Perspectives: Issues in Public Health |
WGST 4600 |
Studies in Women and Health |
I graduated already, can I get the Certificate?
A certificate must be completed and awarded at the same time as the MU undergraduate degree – certificates cannot be claimed after graduation.
I completed the coursework. How do I claim my Certificate?
To officially declare your Certificate go to this link: https://advising.missouri.edu/majors-minors/minors-certificates/
You will receive confirmation after you complete the online form. Once you have received confirmation, you can check your progress toward the certificate by running a degree audit at this link: https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-programs-catalogs
Can I do research in addictions and apply it to my Certificate?
Yes. A maximum of three credit hours may be in Special Problems/Research, Readings or Internship coursework. Students must demonstrate the experiential learning is related to addiction science. Email Dr. Dennis Miller, Director of Undergraduate Studies, at MillerDen@missouri.edu to request approval..
Who should I contact with questions about the Certificate?
Please direct questions to Ms. Jill Edwards and Dr. Dennis Miller in Psychological Sciences.

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