Frequently Asked Questions about the IGCSAEP

Q. Who can benefit from this certificate program?

A. This program is designed for students now working in or planning to enter careers in substance abuse services, or in areas wehre a general understanding of alcohol and drugs is an important part of job performance, such as nursing and health care, health psychology, management and administratin, social work and human services, llaw enforcement and criminal justice, primary and secondary education, and youth services. This certificate program is also relevant for students prlanning to pursue graduate studies in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as professional degrees in law, social work, nursing, and health-related fields.

Q. How will you benefit from the Program?

A. You will acquire comprehensive, research-based information about substance abuse, you will learn effective ways to respond to substance abusers and their families, you will gain confidence when working with people who abuse substances, and you will learn how to directly apply the information and skills to your work setting. The completion of this certificate will greatly increase your professional skills and increase your effectiveness.

Q. Will completion of the certificate directly lead to state certification?

A. The successful completion of this certificate does not automatically result in licensure in the state of Arizona (or any other state) as a certified clinical substance abuse counselor. Coursework from this certificate program may be combined with other educational endeavors to acquire state certification requirements (see current Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners website). You may also be interested in the Arizona Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors website.

Q. When do I need to apply to begin to take courses?

A. If you are not currently enrolled in a graduate program, you need to be accepted into the graduate program prior to taking courses. If you are currently enrolled in a graduate program, apply prior to taking courses. If you have already taken any of the courses, please apply as soon as possible, so that the courses you have taken will count.

Q. Can I take courses for the certificate while completing another degree at NAU or at another university?

A. Yes.

Q. How long can I take to complete the courses for the certificate?

A. All courses must be taken within 6 years of completion of the certificate. You must also maintain "continuous enrollment" which means you must e enrolled for at least one course during each 12 month period.

Q. If I have taken one of the courses that is required for the certificate, but took it before the certificate program is in place, can I count this course?

A. Because the certificate program is new, we will be "grandfathering" in some of the courses if they have been taken within a reasonable amount of time. When you are assigned an advisor these issues can be discussed in detail and brought up before the committee. Our goal is to be as reasonable as possible. The fact that all courses must be completed within a 6 year period factors into any decision.

Q. Are there any special costs associated with this certificate program?

A. The only costs are those associated with enrolling the the courses making up the certificate program (i.e., tuition and fees)

Q. Can credits earned as part of this certificate be applied to another degree?

A. Credits from the certificate program can be applied to other degrees depending upon the policies of the degree-granting department. Be sure and check with an advisor in the degree-granting department for details.

Q. Must I take the courses in the recommended sequence?

A. The fieldwork can only be taken after all of the other coursework has been completed, or you are taking the the last required coursework during the semester you are doing your fieldwork. All of the core courses are offered during the summer either the Flagstaff campus, via ITV or web, which may increase students' flexibility to fit in remaining courses.

Q. Can an independent study be applied to the elective course requirement?

A. No

Q. Do I need to maintain a minimum GPA to successfully complete the certificate?

A. Yes, a minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than 3 hours of work with a grade of C may be used toward the certificate. The Graduate College will note successful completion of a certificate program on the student's transcript.