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We develop professionals with the knowledge and values to be career-long learners, and effective and ethical providers in addiction treatment. We serve the state of Connecticut by providing the highest quality training in best practices for treating and preventing substance use disorders through integrated behavioral health services with a focus on treatment and recovery in high need and high demand areas.
Such courses are not required. Applicants should specify the relevant courses or experiences they have completed.
Once requirements are met, an interview with the department admissions committee will be scheduled. Acceptance letters are sent within 3 weeks of interviews.
*Please note that there are alternate pathways to entering the program for people who do not meet these criteria. Contact the Program Coordinator (Professor Mary Murphy) to discuss at murphym@wcsu.edu
Students start in the Fall semester. Applications can be completed online.
NOTE: Please email the Program Coordinator, Dr. Mary Murphy, at murphym@wcsu.edu if you are interested in more information about applying.
Selected candidates are invited for interviews. The program actively recruits students who represent a variety of cultures, ethnicities, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Applications are accepted in both Fall and Spring on a rolling basis until all places in the program are filled.
To contact the program please email msaddictions@wcsu.edu
Please allow some time for our response
Program Brochure
The Master of Science in Addiction Studies program recently received funding (CreaTechnology Grant- WCSU) to implement a cutting edge counseling simulation program into the curriculum. Professor Mary Murphy will be...
The Master of Science in Addiction Studies program at WCSU has partnered with the UCONN School of Education to set up a pathway for our students to earn an LPC...
Individuals with demonstrated competency in substance use disorder counseling evidenced by exemplary performance in relevant undergraduate coursework and field placements, as explained below, may apply for Advanced Standing.
WCSU Internal Candidates
The WCSU Psychology Department provides a sequence of 4 courses (16 credits) as preparation for acquiring a CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor certification). Students who have completed at least three courses of this sequence at WCSU and a relevant field placement are eligible to apply for admission with Advanced Standing to the M.S in Addiction Studies program. Criteria for eligibility are:
Applications for Advanced Standing (internal and external candidates) should be submitted to the Psychology Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Mary Murphy, LADC, Ph.D.
Murphym@wcsu.edu
Students admitted with Advanced Standing will complete 30-31 credits for the M.S. in Addiction Studies. Their course of study will be determined with their graduate advisor according to their individual skills, training, and expertise.
M.S. in Addiction Studies, Class of ’25
Seb is a tenured faculty member at our sister school (Southern- Department of Marriage and Family Therapy) and just received notice that he was promoted to Full Professor starting Fall ’24! While working hard in our program this year, he was also selected to present his research on couples and family therapy at the World Family Therapy Congress of the International Family Therapy Association in Japan this month. Next, he is set to start his M.S. in Addiction Studies clinical internship at Yale School of Medicine/VA Connecticut Healthcare System in the Fall under the clinical supervision of Dr. Ashley Martin, the Director of the Early Psychosis Intervention Coordination (EPIC) Program at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VACHS). In addition to providing clinical services to veterans with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders, Seb will also study the relationship between substance use and the development of psychosis. Congratulations for all your accomplishments this year Seb!
M.S. in Addiction Studies, Class of ’24
Charline has excelled this year as a full-time student in the M.S. in Addiction Studies program, impressing the faculty for her work both in and outside of the classroom. Starting as an undergrad here at WCSU (’21), Charline has been an integral member of the softball team and last week was honored as the Little East Conference (LEC) Softball Player of the Week for her outstanding play in the Wolves conference on the road in MA. While completing her full-time coursework in the M.S. program she also completed her 300-hour, 6-month long clinical internship with the Bureau of Prisons, providing counseling in both an adult and adolescent prison. As a new internship site for us, Charline impressed her supervisors so much that she paved the way for future WCSU students to be welcomed there for their internship placements. She also currently holds a Graduate Assistant position at WCSU, working closely with the Dean of Student Success & Engagement (Dean Julie Perrelli) and the C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Director (former graduate from our M.S. in Addiction Studies program, Prof. Roberta Murtagh, LADC, MBA, MS). In this role, Charline is sharing the knowledge learned from our program to help reestablish the C.H.O.I.C.E.S. program on our campus, bringing back much needed substance use prevention education services for WCSU students. We are very proud of all of your achievements this year Charline and congratulate you on your upcoming graduation this summer!
Exciting updates from our Alumni!
Tammi Jacob ’24- just completed her M.S. In Addiction Studies at WCSU and was hired full time at High Watch Recovery rehab in Kent, CT. She is accumulating supervision hours to apply to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Roberta Murtagh ’23- after completing her M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU she was hired as an Adjunct Professor to teach in the psychology department in our undergraduate sequence of substance use counseling courses (PSY 392-5). She recently completed her supervision hours and received her license as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Michael Svanda ’23- recently completed his M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU and is working as an Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Counselor at CT Counseling Centers in Danbury. He recently completed his supervision hours and received his license as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Matt Garcia ’23- recently completed his M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU and was promoted to Department Head of Medication Assisted Treatment Services at the Recovery Network of Programs. He is currently accumulating supervision hours to apply to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Jessica Niles ’23- recently completed her M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU and is working as an Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Counselor at MCCA in Danbury. She recently completed her supervision hours and received her license as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Scott Sears ’23- recently completed his M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU and is working as an Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Counselor at CT Counseling Centers in Danbury. He recently completed his graduate hours and received his license as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). He also was recently accepted and enrolled into the UCONN Bridge program to pursue additional coursework that will allow him to become dually licensed in the future as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Ben Stoller ’23- after graduation was hired full time at Nuvance Community Care Team in Danbury after completing his internship there for his M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU. He completed his supervision hours and is now a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). He also recently was accepted and enrolled into the UCONN Bridge program to pursue additional coursework that will allow him to become dually licensed in the future as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).
Vincent O’Halloran ’22- after graduating with his M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU he started working as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor at Darien Counseling and Coaching LLC. He completed his supervision hours and is now working as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Amina Abdulrehman ’22- after graduating with her M.S. in Addiction Studies at WCSU she is working as a Clinician at MCCA in Danbury. She recently completed her supervision hours and is about to receive her license as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
* If you are a recent graduate and have an update for us please email it to murphym@wcsu.edu. We love knowing what our grads are up to!
Anne Corey ’20- after completing her M.S. In Addiction Studies at WCSU she was hired full time at High Watch Recovery rehab in Kent, CT. She recently completed her supervision hours and received her license as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).
Taylor McCafferty ’20- after completing her B.A. in Psychology she went on to complete her M.S. In Addiction Studies, also at WCSU. She became licensed as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and worked as a Counselor III at MCCA in New Haven. She then returned to school and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in forensic psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She was recently just promoted to Licensed Behavioral Health Counselor where she works at MCCA in New Milford.
Chauncey Allers ’20- after graduating from WCSU with his bachelor’s degree in justice and law administration in 2019, he went on to complete his M.S. in Addiction Studies, also at WCSU. He recently completed his supervision hours and is now working as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) at the Root Center in Bristol as a Substance Use Disorder Clinician.
Carole Allers ’20- after graduating with her bachelor’s degree in psychology from WCSU she went on to complete her M.S. in Addiction Studies, also at WCSU. She then became an Adjunct Professor teaching in the psychology department here in our undergraduate sequence of substance use counseling courses (PSY 392-395). She is currently working towards her supervision hours to become licensed as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). *Of note, Chauncey and Carole are mother and son who completed both degrees together at WCSU at the same time (https://news.wcsu.edu/commencement-will-be-family-affair-for-wilton-mother-and-son/).
Students start in the Fall semester. Full time students can complete all program requirements in a year; part-time students in two years.
Student tuition rates and fees, and information on financial aid, can be found at:
Student Expenses ➔
Yes. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for information.
This is an in-person program, however designated courses are offered online. Winter and summer courses are always offered online.
This is scheduled after review of application materials.
Yes. The program places you in an internship. Students may ask for a specific site with approval of the Graduate Coordinator. A variety of placement sites are available in all levels of care in community agencies. The program requires you to complete a 6-month 300 hour internship (required for LADC licensure) beginning in the Spring, continuing through the end of the summer semester.
Applications are encouraged from a variety of related fields.
The new Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2018 is now offering to repay student loans for those who agree to work in designated shortage areas after graduation. Information can be obtained at:
NHSC Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Program ➔
Hear from Dr. Shane Murphy, discussing the WCSU M.S. in Addiction Studies program on the Connecticut Certification Board Scope of Practice podcast.
