Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling

This program begins in Fall quarter. All prospective certificate candidates must complete an application process prior to enrolling in required courses.

To apply:

1. Apply for the certificate candidacy by clicking "Apply Now" below
2. Enroll in and attend the New Student Orientation offered in Summer quarter
3. Enroll in and complete the Study Skills course offered in Summer quarter
   
   You may waive this course requirement if you have successfully completed an associate degree or higher. To waive the prerequisite, please upload unofficial transcripts when applying for the certificate.You can also mail transcripts if you prefer to the following address:
   
   UCLA Extension
   Department of Health Sciences and Sciences
   10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1600
   Los Angeles, CA 90024-3802

Upon completion of steps 1-3, successful applicants will be assessed a $125 nonrefundable candidacy fee, payable once permission to enroll in the program is granted

The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate program includes:

• A convenient schedule that allows completion of all required courses in 1½ years (6 quarters) if coursework begins in the fall
• Completion of all prerequisite courses to sit for the CCAPP certification exam
• Over 343 hours of education
• 255 Supervised Field Work Practicum hours

Additional benefits exclusive to UCLA Extension certificate students:

• Access to Handshake, UCLA Career Center’s online job board, with access to thousands of job and internship postings
• Become a member of the UCLA Alumni Association (upon completing your certificate) and a nationwide network of Bruin family
• Join us for the annual UCLA Extension Graduation Ceremony on campus to celebrate all your hard work
• Get access to UCLA Recreation facilities as a student affiliate*
• Open an affiliate/Guest UCLA Bruin ID Card* for a number of student-related benefits
• PLUS, all UCLA Extension students have access to UCLA Extension’s Career Resources including online career coaching, workshops and networking events

Practical training is offered through fieldwork experience—including an opportunity to participate in a two-quarter Supervised Field Work Practicum course.

Both experiential and didactic, this practicum incorporates information learned in prerequisite courses and serves as the capstone experience in the curriculum. Students spend 255 hours in direct agency internship, and complete 18 classroom sessions that utilize role playing, case studies and other exercises to troubleshoot counseling issues.

Students are encouraged to research facilities of interest to them at the beginning of their coursework, and must secure their field work practicum site and complete paperwork prior to enrolling in the Supervised Field Work Practicum course.

Learn more

The Zappala Family Scholarship, established in 2013, supports students enrolled in the UCLA Extension Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate.

When it comes to the cycle of addiction, skilled and well-trained substance use disorder counselors make all the difference in the lives of those who struggle with the disease. This scholarship was created to provide qualified individuals the opportunity to pursue professional careers as addiction counselors.

The Zappala family has been personally touched by the devastating effects of addiction and strongly believes in supporting the education of those seeking to help individuals and families overcome addiction, achieve recovery, and return to a healthy way of living. Thanks to the support of qualified and compassionate counselors, a member of the Zappala family successfully received treatment for addiction, rebuilt a sober life, and later pursued his own career in substance use disorder counseling after completing his certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling at UCLA Extension. In gratitude for that support, the Zappala family offers assistance to those pursuing careers in substance use disorder counseling to ensure that expert counselors are readily available for other families like theirs.

Apply Today

Please note: Applications will be accepted Monday, April 1, 2024, at 8am through Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11:59pm (PT).

UCLA Extension alumna Cara Sandweiss and her partner Trevis Smith overcame addiction – and launched the Profound Scholarship to help others do the same.

The Profound Scholarship, established in 2025, and funded by a generous gift from Cara Sandweiss and partner Trevis Smith, supports students enrolled in the UCLA Extension Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling Certificate. When it comes to the cycle of addiction, skilled and well-trained counselors can make all the difference in supporting people experiencing substance use disorders. This scholarship stems from a desire to ensure that people in recovery are getting the best care available. It was created to provide qualified individuals with the opportunity to pursue professional careers as addiction counselors. “We wanted to find a way to encourage more people who want to do this work, and who want to do it well, to have the tools they need to get started.” – Cara Sandweiss

Apply Today

Submission Deadline: Aug 15, 2025