Social workers provide services to many people suffering from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. Substance abuse challenges the state and the nation as a public health issue linked to poverty, violence, and family stress. The School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a certificate program that meets the educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) credential administered by the NC Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board. The LCAS credential is quickly becoming the qualification of choice for managed care and insurance companies.

Required Coursework

The School of Social Work has developed four courses that meet the NCSAPCB requirement of 180 hours of substance abuse specific education for the CCAS credential:

• Substance Abuse and Dependency (SOWO 700) (prerequisite for other courses, effective academic year 2000)
• Clinical Practice (SOWO 760)
• Biomedical Basis (SOWO 701)
• Practice with Culturally Diverse Populations (SOWO 761)

Each course contains content on the 12 core functions and 12 core competencies of substance abuse counseling, as well as specific information on ethics and HIV/AIDs. MSW students are required to complete the concentration placment, SoWo 820 and SoWo 821 in a substance abuse treatment setting under the supervision of a certified substance abuse professional. Courses are held in the evening during the spring, summer, and fall semesters on a rotating basis and may be taken in any order.

Registration

MSW practitioners must complete an application of interest for the program. They will then receive course brochures approximately two months before classes begin. While this application does not guarantee enrollment in any given class, it does give priority status to register. Practitioners do not receive a formal grade on a university transcript. To receive the certificate of completion described below, attendance is mandatory, as is completion of course work. More sections of courses may be added to meet demand.

Certificates of Completion

Social work students and MSW practitioners who complete each course successfully will receive a certificate indicating 45 hours of substance abuse specific credit approved by the NCSAPCB, the state certifying body for the CCAS credential. Certificates of completion issued by the School of Social Work can then be submitted with LCAS application materials to the NCSAPCB. Completion of coursework in this certificate program, however, does not waive the other NCSAPCB requirements for the LCAS credential. Students and practitioners interested in pursuing the LCAS credential should contact the NCSAPCB at (919) 832-0975 or by e-mail for information about requirements.

Information

To receive an application of interest, contact:
Behavioral Healthcare Resource Program
School of Social Work University of North Carolina
325 Pittsboro St., Suite 469, CB# 3550
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
Phone: (919) 843-3010

Complete and return the application form with a fee of $25.00.