Develop an understanding of substance use, behavioral addictions, and prevention models to complement your major program of study.

Adding an addiction prevention minor to your plan of study will complement your major program with a focus on understanding addictive disorders, and prevention strategies. You’ll learn about prevention models, the ethical responsibilities of an addiction counselor, and trends and patterns of addictive disorders.

At a Glance

22%
The projected employment growth of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.

Program Length

6 Courses/18 Credits

Format

  • Online

Tuition Per Credit

$480

Is This the Degree For Me?

Who It’s For

  • Those looking to start a career as a prevention administrator
  • Students looking to gain an understanding of addictive behaviors and apply evidence-based practices in prevention planning
  • Anyone interested in learning about addictive behaviors

Career Paths

  • Substance abuse counselor
  • Addiction counselor
  • Prevention specialist
  • Behavioral health administrator
  • Case manager

What You’ll Learn

Through our program, you’ll learn about the history of alcohol and drug use, explore addiction counseling and prevention strategies, and build a solid foundation for a successful career with the following skills:

Technical Skills

  • Identify trends and patterns of addictive disorders
  • Implement and evaluate an effective prevention plan
  • Explore stages, models, and dynamics of addiction prevention strategies

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

  • Develop written and oral communication skills
  • Gain tools to guide and direct sessions with individuals or groups

Career Skills

  • Understand professional responsibilities related to addiction counseling and prevention
  • Practice addiction counseling and prevention with ethical principles

Program Details

Program Information

Please visit our catalog for admission requirements and a full list of our courses.

Your first step is to get in touch with any questions or submit the simple application for admission. We will assist you every step of the way toward acceptance so you can enroll and begin your classes!

If you are serving or have served our country, we sincerely thank you. Our military services office is here to work closely with active duty, retired, reserve, and eligible family members qualified for military benefits. Learn how we can help you with the application process and review the benefits you have earned.

For a full list of fees, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

The University of Mary is committed to putting your educational goals within reach. Learn what scholarships you qualify for.

We welcome students from various backgrounds, including transfer students from regionally accredited colleges and universities and those with military or career and work experience. 

How do I show my previous college, military, or work experience?

  • Official transcripts (if applicable) from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 should be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions.

    • Did you graduate from the University of Mary? Then we’ll get your Mary transcript for you!
    • At most other schools, you can request transcripts by going to the National Student Clearinghouse or by contacting the registrar’s office. 
      • Have your transcripts sent to:
        Office of Admissions
        University of Mary
        7500 University Drive
        Bismarck, ND 58504
      • Or request to send electronic transcripts to registrar@umary.edu.
  • Students with previous career or work experience can earn credits for prior learning.
    • You can choose to test for prior learning credits — we convert your test scores into college credit.
    • You can request a portfolio review for prior learning credits. You’ll assemble documentation to show your experience, which will be reviewed and evaluated by an experienced faculty member.
  • Military experience can count towards a degree.

WHAT WILL I NEED TO APPLY?

  • All of our programs require you to fill out the general application form in addition to submitting the application fee and your transcripts.
  • Any program-specific requirements you’ll need to submit in addition to the items listed above can be found in our catalog.

At the University of Mary, we review every application on an individual basis, ensuring that the materials you submit are evaluated with care and attention. Reach out to us if you have any questions in filling out your application.

Get Started Today

Apply Online