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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
9/07/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES -Psychology and social work students at Northwestern State University will now be able to earn academic requirements toward certification in two areas. Northwestern students can earn academic requirements needed to become a Louisiana State Board Certified Substance Abuse Counselor or Louisiana State Board Certified Prevention Specialist.
NSU is the only institution of higher education in Louisiana to be approved for this program. The university received approval from the Louisiana State Board of Certification for Substance Abuse.
"The primary advantage for our students is the marketability they will have," said Dr. Patrice Moulton, head of the Department of Psychology at Northwestern. "The academic course work has been pre-approved, so once the student completes the required courses for the program, they have met the academic requirements for credentialing."
Requirements for certification as a substance abuse counselor include upper level courses in health education, sociology, psychology and social work. Those wishing to obtain certification as a prevention specialist must take courses in health education, management and psychology.
Students are then ready to begin one year of supervised clinical work and test for certification, according to Claudia Triche, head of NSU's Department of Social Work.
"Students who pursue this track receive preferential hiring for positions with substance abuse programs," said Triche. "There are not enough people in the field, so this meets a manpower need and is an important component of workforce development."
Moulton said that Northwestern alumni in psychology and social work can also return to school to meet these academic requirements.
"There is a great need for practitioners with substance abuse knowledge. It cuts across all areas of practice," said Moulton.
Students wishing to enter the program must apply and meet criteria set by their respective departments for prerequisites and grade point average.
For more information contact Virginia Cecchini at (318) 357-5354 or at cecchiniv@nsula.edu or Dr. Randy Haley at (318) 357-6981 or at haley@nsula.edu.