Cleveland State University is the first Ohio institution to receive master’s level accreditation from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board for its Chemical Dependency curriculum. The Board Accreditation of Behavioral Science Master’s Degree Programs is the first in a series of degree accreditations aimed at addressing the growing need for professionals in the field. The CSU program is unique in that it incorporates a partnership between the University’s School of Social Work and the Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning (CASAL) Department in the College of Education and Human Services.

The program has been three years in the making and is designed to provide master's level students in counseling or social work (as well as those in the field who already have the master's degree) with all the academic training required for licensure as a chemical dependency counselor. Chemical dependency counseling is one of the mental health workforce areas currently in need of professionals, and a recent Northeast Ohio task force predicted that the need will continue over the next ten years.

Accreditation is official endorsement of degree programs that ensures that persons who complete these degrees will meet educational standards for licensure. The Board’s accreditation assures that the program meets rigorous standards and is an official endorsement of chemical dependency counselor training based upon published standards and criteria. The state accreditation is important because it signals that the program is providing state-of-the-art training in addictions work with individuals, groups, and families. The counseling liaison at CSU is Elliott Ingersoll, professor in the Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning (CASAL) department; the social work liaison is Patricia Stoddard-Dare, Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work.

In order to qualify for accreditation, a master’s degree program must include specific content areas and a specific number of contact hours. Accreditation assures that persons entering the field of chemical dependency counseling through an accredited education program have met the minimum requirements for formal education necessary for licensure.

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About Cleveland State University. Cleveland State is a comprehensive metropolitan university committed to providing affordable education of high quality to students with diverse backgrounds, experiences, interests and needs. Located in downtown Cleveland with extended campuses in Westlake and Solon, Cleveland State offers degrees in hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs and law, and professional development programs. Cleveland State reaches out to academically talented and highly motivated students through its Honors Program. And Cleveland State’s faculty is tops, with more than 90 percent holding the highest degree attainable in their field. Approximately 16,500 students attend Cleveland State.

About The Chemical Dependency Professionals Board. The Chemical Dependency Professionals Board is a state licensing board that certifies and licenses individuals who provide chemical dependency prevention and treatment services to individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The Board’s mission is to ensure high standards of alcohol and other drug treatment and prevention for all citizens through the assurance of a competent, well trained and ethical workforce. This is accomplished through its leadership in: establishing and maintaining standards; enforcement of ethical standards; continuing education activities; workforce development; professional development.

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