Chemical Dependency Counseling Graduate Certificate
Guide people to a better life with our chemical dependency counseling certificate.
- Offered Face-to-Face in Commerce.
- 2 semesters
- 12 credit hours
- No thesis required
- No foreign language credits required
Lead Others to Freedom
As a counselor, your job is not about fixing clients but walking alongside them. Our 12-hour program is designed to prepare you for the journey. Build your foundational knowledge of necessary theories, such as those relating to substance use and addition, and learn to asses a range of treatment options. Integrate theory, therapy and technology, exploring topics such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), telehealth platforms and predictive models. Together, these skills and more can help you train to counsel substance abuse clients, their families and coworkers.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
Training as a chemical dependency counselor can help you gain the expertise needed for a range of careers in addiction recovery, empowering you to make a significant impact in helping individuals overcome substance use disorders and achieve lasting recovery.
Careers Possibilities
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
Our program at East Texas A&M University is designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills necessary to support individuals in overcoming substance use disorders.
What Might I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Comprehensive Assessment Techniques
Develop the skills to assess the severity of substance use disorders and create tailored treatment plans that address individual needs and goals.
Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities
Gain proficiency in using proven therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to effectively support clients in their recovery journey.
Telehealth and Virtual Counseling
Master the use of telehealth platforms and digital tools to provide remote counseling, expanding access to care for individuals in underserved or rural areas.
Predictive Analytics for Recovery
Explore how predictive models can help you assess relapse risks, forecast treatment outcomes and personalize interventions to support sustainable recovery.
Taking Classes
Our 12-credit-hour Chemical Dependency Counseling Graduate Certificate program builds on your existing knowledge to prepare you for specialized roles in addiction counseling and recovery.
In-Person Classes
Courses are offered in person at our Commerce campus, providing hands-on learning experiences with direct access to faculty and peers. Please refer to the schedule of classes for up-to-date details on course offerings, locations and times, as they may vary.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to equip you with essential skills in addiction counseling. Study key areas such as assessment techniques, evidence-based treatments, data-driven treatment planning and ethical considerations. Additionally, our program introduces the use of telehealth tools and relapse prevention strategies, preparing graduates to effectively support individuals in recovery and advance in the addiction counseling field.
Adding Value with Certificates
Get noticed. Learn how you can enhance your expertise and career opportunities by complementing your Chemical Dependency Counseling Graduate Certificate with additional graduate certificates in related fields.
Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Certificate
Take your therapeutic and instructional skills to the next level with our Applied Behavior Analysis graduate certificate. As you earn your graduate certificate, you'll meet the coursework requirements to be able to sit for the licensure exam with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
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Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
LaVelle Hendricks, Ed.D.
Alum Faculty
Michael K. Schmit, Ph.D.
Faculty
Ajitha Chandrika Prasanna Kumaran, Ph.D., NCC
Faculty
Student Organizations
Our campus has many ways to engage and get involved.
You can join various student organizations that promote professional growth, networking and leadership. These groups offer opportunities for collaboration, attending workshops, and connecting with peers and professionals in the addiction counseling field, enhancing both academic and career development.
I’m Looking For Something Different
Is this program close, but still not right for you? Check out our related degrees!
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
Once admitted, you must:
- Earn a 3.0 GPA on all required coursework (No course substitutions may be applied on graduate certificates)
- Submit a Completion of Certificate Request while taking your final graduate certificate courses.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Select “Chemical Dependency Counseling, Graduate Certificate” as your “Program.”
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Note: International students interested in graduate certificates must do so in conjunction with a graduate degree.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
- Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce, Texas 75428
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Counseling
- 903.886.5637
- 903.886.5594