Program Overview
Using the latest in online education technologies, the MSAC program is available wherever you are located throughout Texas, the United States, and globally. Our online program is particularly designed to allow you the flexibility of pursuing your degree while maintaining existing professional or personal responsibilities.
TTUHSC was selected as one of the best schools in Texas for an online Master's in Addiction Counseling!
As an addiction counselor, you will provide and coordinate services for people with a range of substance use disorders such as alcohol or drug use, or other behavioral addiction and health issues. You’ll provide treatment and support working with clients individually and in group sessions. You will teach clients how to cope with stress and life’s problems in ways that help them recover and maintain a healthier lifestyle. You may also work in facilities that involve interprofessional relationships with other health care providers.
An integral part of the TTUHSC MASC curriculum is an emphasis on telehealth. This model of distance-based service provision is a cutting-edge technique growing in practice and acceptance nationwide and globally. With the critical and growing need to provide essential health care to underserved populations across diverse geographic locations, telehealth will continue to play an increasingly important role in patient care.
All MSAC program graduates receive a certificate in telehealth.
Accreditation
The Master of Science in Addiction Counseling program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
For more information, please reach out to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs at (806) 743-3220 or health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.
- 2 years estimated time to completion
- 20 estimated class size
Curriculum & Coursework
The program is committed to training you as an entry-level addiction counselor to work competently and ethically through the mastery of evidence-based counseling practices. Our focus centers on preparing you to understand the unique needs of persons with substance use and behavioral health disorders and to assist clients in learning to use their own resources and opportunities to meet their developmental, educational and interpersonal needs.
The curriculum of the TTUHSC MSAC program consists of 60 semester credit hours and includes addiction-specific clinical experiences. Classes include:
Psychopathology and Diagnosis
Abnormal Behavior: Treatment Planning and Case Management
Advanced Addiction Counseling
Neurobiology of Addiction
Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling Methods
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Core Coursework Course Designation Credit Hours
HPAC 1002 Foundations for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice 0 hours
HPAC 5301 Introduction to Counseling and Ethical Development 3 hours
HPAC 5302 Counseling Theories 3 hours
HPAC 5303 Human Growth and Development 3 hours
HPAC 5304 Career Counseling 3 hours
HPAC 5305 Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3 hours
HPAC 5307 Multicultural Counseling 3 hours
HPAC 5308 Research and Statistics 3 hours
HPAC 5311 Addictions Counseling 3 hours
HPAC 5312 Assessment 3 hours
HPAC 5318 Abnormal Behavior: Treatment Planning and Case Management 3 hours
Total Hours 30 hours
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Specialty Coursework Course Designation Credit Hours
HPAC 5330 Foundations of Addiction Counseling and Ethical Development 3 hours
HPAC 5331 Advanced Addiction Counseling 3 hours
HPAC 5332 Neurobiology of Addiction 3 hours
HPAC 6050 Comprehensive Examination 0 hours
Total Hours 9 hours
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Experiential Coursework Course Designation Credit Hours
HPAC 5340 Micro Counseling Techniques 3 hours
HPAC 5342 Group Counseling Techniques 3 hours
HPAC 5344 Couples, Marriage, and Family Counseling Methods 3 hours
Total Hours 9 hours
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Clinical Experience Course Designation Credit Hours
HPAC 5360 Practicum 3 hours
HPAC 6001 Internship Var 3-9 hours
Total Hours 12 hours
Program Term Application Deadlines
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Term |
Applications Open |
Application Deadline |
First Day of Term |
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SUMMER |
TBA |
TBA |
MAY TBA |
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FALL |
JAN 1 |
MAY 1 |
AUG TBA |
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SPRING |
JUN 1 |
OCT 1 |
JAN TBA |
How to Apply
Online Application
Applicants for the MSAC program must complete the TTUHSC SHP application. Additional forms will be added to your checklist after you have submitted the online application. Required supporting documentation (if applicable) can be uploaded from your student status page.
Application Fee
A non-refundable $75 application fee is required and may be paid by credit card through the online application system.
If you prefer to pay by check or money order, make it payable to TTUHSC and mail it to:
Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, MS 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430
Your application will move forward in the admissions review process after your application fee has been received.
Transcripts
By Mail: Transcripts must be in an official sealed envelope by the institution and sent to our mailing address:
TTUHSC SHP Admissions and Student Affairs
3601 4th Street, Mail Stop 6294
Lubbock, TX 79430
Electronically: Submit official electronic transcripts from every college or university attended directly from the institution or an approved third-party transcript service to shp.application@ttuhsc.edu.
Please note:
Do not send transcripts to Texas Tech University, as TTUHSC is a separate institution and doing so will delay application processing.
Official TTUHSC transcripts are not required; official Texas Tech University transcripts are required.
Transcripts from international institutions must include an official course-by-course evaluation from a recognized Foreign Transcript Evaluation Service.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required application materials, including updated transcripts, are received by the application deadline.
Admissions Requirements
The MSAC program begins twice a year, in the Fall and Spring. Please visit the link below for deadline information. The online application and all supporting documentation must be received by the deadline.
Official GRE Scores
The GRE is not required for the MSAC Program.
Bachelor's Degree
Individuals applying for the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling (MSAC) degree program should already hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably in a related area such as psychology, sociology, rehabilitation, occupational therapy, social work, special education or nursing, however degrees in other areas will be considered.
Minimum GPA
To be considered for admission, it is recommended that applicants meet one of the following GPA requirements:
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.7 from all previous institutions, OR
- A cumulative GPA of 2.7 in the last 60 semester hours of courses.
- Applicants with lower GPA's may be considered based upon their work experience in an addiction focused/human services or related field for (3) or more years.
Resume
A current resume is required to be submitted through the online application system.
Letters of Recommendation
Two letters of recommendation are required for an application to be complete, but the program prefers three letters of recommendation be submitted. Letters of recommendation are submitted online through the SHP Application. A recommender's name and email address will be required. Your recommender will receive an email with a link to our recommendation form for them to submit electronically.
Essay
An essay is required as part of the application.
International Applicants
If you are not a citizen/permanent resident of the United States, please refer to our International Applicants webpage for the additional requirements needed for your application.
Application Process
Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the Addiction Counseling program. Individual applications are reviewed once materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant's best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Prior work experience, paid or voluntary, in human service settings will normally be expected. Persons applying with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The applications for admission to the MSAC program are reviewed and rank ordered according to:
- Academic performance and aptitude for graduate-level study
- Career goals
- Previous work or volunteer experience to the field
- Unique individual contributions to the field
- Writing and computer literacy skills
- Potential to develop effective and professional counseling relationships
The faculty admissions committee selects the top applicants and rank orders them according to the selection criteria. Selected applicants are contacted for a web-based interview. Recommendations for admission are made to the Dean of the School of Health Professions.
Application Submission Checklist
- Online SHP Application
- Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation - Two required
- Resume
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Please contact our office by phone at 806-743-3220 or email at health.professions@ttuhsc.edu.
Cost & Aid
Access information about tuition and fees, along with scholarships and financial aid resources, to help you plan and finance your education at TTUHSC.
Tuition & Fees
The following information is not intended to be comprehensive and is subject to change. Tuition, fees, and charges are subject to change by administrative, legislative, or regent action, and changes become effective on the date enacted. The following tuition information should be used only as a guideline for estimating charges.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. TTUHSC relies on a variety of financial aid sources to increase the university's affordability. This may include scholarships, grants, student loans, and waivers. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.
Student Outcome Data
Becoming a Certified Addiction Counselor
On completion of the MSAC program, you will possess the competencies and experiences necessary to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE) as a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and be able to apply for licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in many states where it is required. Licensure requirements vary by state; you can find specific state information on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) website.
Outcomes
Additional Resources
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Mission
The mission of the Master of Science in Addiction Counseling (MSAC) program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is to educate students in evidence-based addiction counseling practices in order to produce competent and compassionate counseling and behavioral healthcare professionals. Our focus centers on understanding the unique needs of persons with substance use and behavioral health disorders across their lifespans in the community, workplace, personal relationships and activities.
Goal
The goal of the program is to prepare counselors with the counseling knowledge, attitudes, and skills to assist clients with substance use disorders, behavioral health issues, and/or addictions to use their own resources and opportunities to meet their developmental, educational and interpersonal needs. To accomplish this goal, the program provides educational and practical experiences that allow students to meet the following knowledge and outcome expectations:
Objective
The objectives of our program are linked to our mission statement.
They are to provide:
- Knowledge of Addiction Counseling: Educational experiences that facilitate the development of the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to practice as qualified addiction counselors across a wide variety of contexts.
- Ethical and Pluralistic Practice: Learning opportunities to support the ability to implement individually responsive and ethically sound counseling practices throughout their careers, and to advocate for individuals with addiction concerns and the profession.
- Evidence-based Care: Clinical training experiences focused on translating acquired knowledge, attitudes, and skills to evidence-based practice in a wide range of real-world opportunities.
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Addiction counselors work in a variety of health care environments including mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice.
Increased access to health insurance has created a shortage of qualified addiction counselors and contributed to the growth of addiction counseling as a career. Opportunities for employment and professional development in the field are numerous and the demand for highly qualified addiction counselors is especially high.
- The State of Texas has an acute shortage of addiction counselors, a challenge that is projected to worsen over the next 10 years.
- Communities across the country are experiencing a growing need for addiction counseling professionals as more individuals seek support for behavioral health concerns and substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder. This growing demand creates strong career opportunities for counselors trained in recovery-focused approaches that emphasize counseling, treatment, and long-term support.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for addiction counselors to continue growing much faster than other occupations.
Request Information
Contact Us
Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
School of Health Professions - Office of Admissions and Student Affairs
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Address
3601 4th Street Lubbock
Lubbock, TX 79430
United States
- Phone (806) 743-3220
- Email health.professions@ttuhsc.edu
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Hours
Mon. - Fri.
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.