Substance Use Disorder Counselor Treatment Training Program (SUDTTC)
Program Highlights
- Employment security
- Credibility and integrity backed by a flagship university
- Make a meaningful impact every day for individuals, families and communities that need it most
- Completion of program meets the educational requirement to become licensed in UT
Make a difference where it matters most with our Substance Use Disorder Counselor Treatment Training (SUDTTC) program. Designed for working professionals and career changers alike, we offer a flexible, online pathway to licensure in Utah. Gain in-demand skills, supervised practicum experience, and the credibility of a flagship university so you can start making an impact.
Showcase your Credibility and integrity:
Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) certification demonstrates a deep knowledge and commitment to ethical, professional and competent practice with people of all backgrounds in the addictions field.
Make an impact on society:
Solve problems, help clients including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities achieve their goals, and serve as a trusted practitioner.
Enjoy employment security:
The substance use disorder counselor career path is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for social service occupations is expected to grow 13%, much faster than the average for all occupations. With a rising demand for substance abuse treatment, job opportunities are plentiful.
About the Program
Our Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training Certificate (SUDTTC) Program is dedicated to helping students develop the knowledge base and treatment skills necessary to assist individuals with substance use disorders and their families. Our goal is to enhance the quality of substance use disorder treatment available in our communities.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the program, individuals should be able to:
- Demonstrate culturally competent practice for work in all cultural contexts.
- Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the scope of practice as defined by law.
- Demonstrate proficiency of the 12 Core Functions.
- Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the causes, prevalence, and treatment of substance abuse, including prevention and recovery.
- Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the pharmacology of drugs and alcohol, including the neurochemical and biological effects on the human body.
- Function effectively within the structure of organizations and across service delivery systems using a multi-disciplinary team approach.
- Practice within the values and ethics of the professional NAADAC and NASW Code of Ethics.
- Obtain state licensure as mandated by State of Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Who Should Attend
This program prepares individuals for careers in the addictions field. It is designed for:
- Individuals working toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree who are interested in acquiring Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) license in the state of Utah.
- Individuals with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree who are interested in acquiring Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or, eventually, Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) licensure in the state of Utah.
- Individuals who desire to launch a career in the addictions field with credibility and foundational knowledge.
- Para-professionals currently working in the addictions field who want to increase opportunities for career advancement.
- Para-professionals seeking a career change to positions in the addictions field.
Schedule
Completion time depends on how many courses per semester a student is taking, but generally the program can be completed within 3-4 semesters (9-12 months).
We are working towards having every class offered each semester. Currently, most classes are available Fall and Spring, with limited availability during Summer semester. SWC 711 200-hour SUDTTC Practicum & Seminar is available every semester.
Tuition
The total cost of the program is $6,250 (tuition for each class is $750 and the practicum is $1,000). Textbooks are not included and must be acquired separately (see "Textbooks" below). Tuition listed above subject to change without advance notice.
- Courses are NOT eligible for faculty/staff tuition reduction or emeritus benefits.
- may be available through the University of Utah Financial Services.
- GI Bill funds do not cover tuition for noncredit classes. Please contact the for questions about benefits advising.
- Scholarship funding may be available for students of this program. See “Scholarship” below.
Textbooks
Textbooks are not included in the cost of enrollment and must be acquired by students individually. The Campus Bookstore has all required course materials as hard copies, but you may find a better price shopping for used texts online (Amazon, Ebay, Abebooks, etc.). Be sure to and register early so that you have time to get them before classes start.
Scholarship Information
Students admitted into the program are eligible for a scholarship in the form of tuition ($4,000 maximum amount) and stipend ($6,000 maximum amount) funding support. The tuition funding support is applied directly to student’s scholarship account with the University of Utah Scholarship Administration system. The stipend funding support is applied directly to the student by direct deposit. The funding for this scholarship is made available through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) educational and training grant. To learn more about this scholarship opportunity, please contact Phoebe Galvez, HRSA Project Coordinator, at phoebe.galvez@utah.edu.
Format
Each course is offered over a traditional 16-week semester schedule. Classes are available online in an asynchronous format, except for the field practicum (SWC 711), allowing you to complete class anywhere, anytime!
Required Courses
Students are required to complete seven (7) noncredit courses and a 200-hour field practicum placement. Courses are offered during a traditional 16-week semester and meet with for-credit sections. There are several recommended tracks to completion, but students may meet with an advisor to discuss the best path for them.
- SWC 711 200-hour SUDTTC Practicum & Seminar
- SWC 715 Dynamics of Addiction
- SWC 716 Introduction to Professional Development
- SWC 725 Introduction to Neurochemistry
- SWC 731 Counseling Practice I
- SWC 732 Counseling Practice II
- SWC 733 Counseling Practice III
- SWC 734 Counseling Practice IV
Program Requirements
To be admitted to the program, students must have completed the following:
- An Associate's or Bachelor's degree completed, or in progress at time of application.
- Coursework (can be from any accredited institution):
- Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) (SW 2100) or Human Development Across the Lifespan (ECS 1500)
- General Psychology (PSY 1010)
Note: Individuals who wish to pursue an Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor license will need to earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in substance use disorders, addiction, social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, or psychology
How to Apply
You can apply for admission to the program by visiting the College of Social Work’s . You will be required to complete the and the
The Social Work department will review your application and let you know when you are accepted within 6 weeks of your application date. Once you’ve been accepted:
- You’ll receive a registration link with your class options for the semester.
- Select your courses and pay the tuition online.
- Contact an advisor to learn about scholarship opportunities and next steps!
The application will require you to submit several attachment items. Save time by preparing them ahead of applying!
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Unofficial Transcript
View our checklist for the requirements of the resume and personal statement.
Completion Requirements
- Students will be required to fulfill the same expectations and requirements as matriculated students including exams, projects and participation.
- Certificate students will receive an “S-Satisfactory” or “U-Unsatisfactory” assessment for each class. “S-Satisfactory” will indicate that the student has met the standards for at least a C-.
- Students must receive an “S-Satisfactory" grade in all classes for successful completion.
All courses appear on your student transcript as "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory" and are proof of completion. You can to provide to DOPL online. Please contact the College of Social Work at sudc@utah.edu with questions about proof of completion.
Next Steps
Supply versus demand of qualified SUDC professionals has caused the legislature to re-examine the requirements of obtaining licensure. It is now more accessible than before to enter the field. For the most up to date requirements, please visit the
Frequently Asked Questions
No.
No. Individuals must have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or be pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the program.
SWC 711 200-hour SUDTTC Practicum & Seminar must be taken in the final semester of the program. Other courses can be taken in any order but it is recommended that students work with an academic advisor to ensure timely completion of required courses. Below is the recommended sequencing of courses.
Certificate-seeking students are expected to complete the same work and requirements as matriculated students. The classes are graded with a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory option, with students earning a C- or higher receiving a Satisfactory grade and students earning a D+ or lower receiving an Unsatisfactory grade. For successful certificate completion, students must achieve a Satisfactory grade in all classes.
These are non-credit classes and cannot be applied to any for-credit degree.
Students taking only noncredit classes are not eligible for federal student aid loan programs. However, there is a grant-funded scholarship available to students in the noncredit SUDTTC program. Please see the “Costs” section for more details.
Students can expect to spend approximately four hours per week on class work outside of the classroom.
Tuition is charged for courses at the time of registration, if registering through ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵ’s website.
No, a letter of completion from the College of Social Work at the University of Utah is given to individuals following their successful completion of the program. The SUDC or ASUDC license is awarded by the State of Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Individuals who complete the required coursework (including field practicum placement) in the program can through the State of Utah’s Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).
Contact Info
Noncredit Certificates Program
Contact Noncredit Certificates Program for general questions about registration status or payment issues.
Taylor Bond
Administrative Program Manager
E-mail: certificates@utah.edu
Online contact form
College of Social Work
Contact the College of Social Work for questions about admission status or application details, pre-requisites, program content and experience, or any class-specific information.
SUDC Application & Admissions
Quick Questions: bsw@utah.edu
Need an Appointment:
- Select PRE-BSW/MSW & APPLICATION APPOINTMENTS and then SUDTTC Application Questions
SUDC Program Information & Advising
Quick Questions Email: bsw@utah.edu
Need an Appointment Email: bsw@utah.edu
Credit earning undergraduate BSW students interested in non-credit SUDTTC: login to Navigate to make an appointment on your CIS portal/Student ÁńÁ«ĘÓƵpage. Please put in comments that you would like to discuss non-credit SUDTTC certificate.
Credit earning, non-BSW undergraduate students: sign up for an exploring appointment in Navigate Email: bsw@utah.edu *Please include your name that was given in the application process or used while attending.
Need a letter of completion form?