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Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu
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News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
11/29/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES-Northwestern State University is partnering with two other Louisiana institutions to develop five online courses in substance abuse beginning in the fall 2002 semester. Northwestern is working with Nicholls State University and Southern University in Baton Rouge to offer the classes over the Internet.
The development of the courses is being funded with a grant of $80,600 to NSU's Department of Psychology under the Louisiana Board of Regents Distance Education Initiative.
Three of the classes will be developed at Northwestern while Nicholls and Southern will each develop one class. Each of the courses can be applied toward the 12 academic hours in core courses required to take the exam needed to receive a certification from the Louisiana State Board of Substance Abuse Counselors in substance abuse counseling. Certification requires 12 academic hours beyond the bachelor's degree.
According to Dr. Kelvin Bentley, an assistant professor of psychology at Northwestern, the grant will help meet a specific need for workforce development in Louisiana. Bentley said the Office of Addictive Disorders and State Licensing Board have requested assistance from institutions of higher education to fulfill the need for certified substance abuse counselors.
"By developing these courses for electronic delivery over the Internet, people will gain greater access to coursework needed to become state certified substance abuse counselors," said Bentley. "Collaborating with Nicholls State and Southern University in Baton Rouge will allow us to share ideas and provide a variety of classes without duplicating efforts."
Bentley and Dr. Patrice Moulton, an assistant professor of psychology and head of the Department of Psychology, are co-principal investigators for the project. Instructor of Psychology Virginia Cecchini, Assistant Professor of Social Work Dr. Randy Haley and Professor of Health and Human Performance Dr. Michael Moulton are collaborating faculty.
Bentley said the project should attract new individuals to the field along with current professionals in the field of substance abuse who are seeking to become state certified. He said each institution would work with the State Licensing Board who will serve as external evaluators. A national consultant in the area of substance abuse curriculum development will also evaluate the program.
The online courses are already in the curriculum at each university. The grant will help fund the work required to present the classes over the Internet.
Northwestern has extensive experience in electronic course delivery. This semester, the university is offering 103 electronic courses serving 2,774 students. NSU offers the highest number of Internet courses and degree programs in Louisiana.