Program Overview

University of the Pacific's Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate Program gives you the knowledge and experience to become certified in substance abuse counseling. Our program meets the educational and training requirements established according to regulations from the State of California Department of Health, Division of Alcohol and Drug Programs. It was developed by Benerd College in conjunction with professionals and experts in the field of substance abuse.

This six-month long program is designed to provide participants with the skills necessary to counsel clients in the recovery process. Topics and skills include assessment, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, and community resources. Special issues are addressed including sexual harassment, gender, aging, disabilities, cultural differences, and co-occurring disorders. We strongly recommend you are at least one year sober when applying for this program.

Tuition & Fees

This program is not eligible for University of the Pacific or Federal Financial Aid.

Application Fee: $75 (non refundable, paid at time of application submission) (Fee increases to $100 for late applications submitted within late application deadline)

Program Tuition: $4,400 ($550/per course, 8 courses total)

Administrative Fee: $95 (non refundable, paid at time of program acceptance and confirmation)

Textbooks: $204.36 (est.)

Total Program Cost: $4,774.36

January 2026 Application date range

Application date range: August 4, 2025- December 5, 2025

Late app deadline: December 15, 2025 (any applications received after the December 5, 2025 date are subject to a non-refundable application fee of $100. NO applications will be accepted after December 15, 2025 regardless of circumstance)

Program Dates — January 12-June 28, 2026

Block I: January 12-February 22

Block II: February 23- April 5

Block III: April 6- May 17

Block IV: May 18-June 28

Note: Fees are subject to change.

Application

To apply for admission to the University of the Pacific’s Substance Abuse Counselor Certificate Program, please submit the following items:

  1. Submit: A completed application (Complete the online application below), including:
    • An essay (250 words minimum) answering the following questions: Why are you applying to our program, what do you feel are the most important characteristics of a substance abuse counselor, and what are your professional goals after completing this program.
    • Two hand-signed letters of professional reference from individuals who have knowledge of your interest and ability to become a substance abuse counselor. These can be professionals you have worked with, academic references, or volunteer references (excluding family members).
    • Optional: Transcripts  and course descriptions of any college or university coursework or degrees. Previous coursework could potentially waive certain classes in this program. Please submit the  Equivalency Form (pdf) along with transcripts. Transcripts will not be evaluated unless the equivalency form is completed. (Please make sure to save a copy of the form)
  2. Pay: $75.00 non-refundable application fee (or $100 late application fee).

Application
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Curriculum

The program consists of 24 total units of instruction taken sequentially in an online format. Each course is 45 hours of instruction and three extended education units of elective credit (eight of these units may be applicable towards an undergraduate degree at Pacific).

Online courses will be 6 weeks, occasionally requiring synchronous interaction. Students take 2 classes at a time. The full program lasts 6 months. In addition to the coursework, students are required to complete 300 hours (255 site, 45 classroom) of supervised internship in order to receive our certificate. Previous internship or experience cannot be counted toward these 300 hours. We recommend you complete the program within six months but it must be completed within three years. If requirements and/or courses have changed during an absence in your attendance, repeating of some classes may be required. Accumulated internship hours may not be done until after the classroom portion is completed and a passing grade is earned in XSAP 167.

This course is an overview of the substance abuse/addiction counseling industry. History of addiction, theories, regulatory issues, etc. will be included. It covers the eight domains of knowledge in the field of addiction: Clinical Evaluation, Treatment Planning, Referral, Service Coordination, Counseling Clients, Family and Community Education, Documentation, and Professional and Ethical Responsibility.   Additionally, the twelve core functions (Screening, Intake, Orientation, Assessment, Treatment Planning, Counseling, Case Management, Crisis Intervention, Client Education, Referrals, Record-keeping and Consultation with Relevant Professionals) are explored.  Community resources, advocacy and educational programs will be covered. Career pathway employment opportunities coupled with state and national licensing requirements will be discussed. 

Course Code: XSAP 160 (3 Extn. Units)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of theories and strategies for the prevention of and intervention with alcohol and drug abuse.  Social norms, peer pressure, stereotyping, biases, interpersonal and intrapersonal factors will be explored in relationship to cultural influences and diversity. Special populations such as Americans with Disabilities, LGBTQIA, gangs, elderly and prisoners will be included. . 

Course Code: XSAP 161 (3 Extn. Units)  

This course provides a survey of the impact of addiction on the individual, the family and in society. A comprehensive study of the dynamics operating in groups and families including the identification of healthy versus dysfunctional groups/families; methods of intervention in dysfunctional groups/families; and the techniques of facilitating treatment groups will be covered. This course offers a practical study of helping strategies and interpersonal skills by engaging students in practicing interview skills and procedures through classroom role playing exercises. 

Course Code: XSAP 162 (3 Extn. Units)  

This course provides an understanding of the addiction process including the various models of addiction. It includes basic pharmacology of drugs, and the history, pharmacology and physiological impact of each drug category. Treatment methodologies including abnormal behavior as delineated in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) will be covered along with co-occurring disorders. Topics include classifications, clinical pictures, casual factors, treatment and outcomes of maladaptive patterns, assessment, therapy and prevention.  

Course Code: XSAP 163 (3 Extn. Units)

This course covers the assessment processes used in treating people with addiction. The student learns how to administer and score a variety of addiction screeners and assessment tools. Based on the assessment information, the student will create effective treatment planning and programs. Various treatment models and plans will be discussed.  

Course Code: XSAP 164 (3 Extn. Units)  

This course is a review of basic skills for effective and efficient casework management. It will include goal analysis, identification and specification of client objectives, case planning, client contracting, data collection, record keeping, and client progress evaluation and reporting. Skills are applied using actual client examples. Students will be expected to write case plans, client contracts and treatment goals. Relapse, triggers and relapse prevention will be included.

Course Code: XSAP 165 (3 Extn. Units) 

This course covers professional ethics in the addiction field. Topics will include boundaries, code of conduct, confidentiality (including 42 CFR Part II, Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) etc.) and sexual harassment. The dynamics of addiction for the criminal justice client is studied in depth including parole and probation systems along with alternatives to incarceration in the criminal justice system (Drug Courts, Re-Entry Courts, Proposition 36, AB 109, etc.). Communicable diseases (HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis A,B,C and other sexually transmitted infections) will also be included.
 
Course Code: XSAP 166 (3 Extn. Units)  

This class is a culmination of all courses and allows the student to put their knowledge and skills into practical application. The class is a total of 45 hours devoted to the internship process. Students will review state licensure requirements. The course will cover common problems, situations, and experiences that may arise during the internship. The practicum consists of 255 supervised hours on site at a State Certified Treatment Program. Students are required to complete the entire 300 hours (45 hours in class and 255 practicum) prior to receiving their substance abuse counseling certification.
 
Course Code: XSAP 167 (3 Extn. Units) 

Frequently Asked Questions

Undergraduate Extended Education Units (EXTN)
(15 hours = 1 unit)  semester units unless otherwise noted and will be listed on your University transcript. All subject codes begin with an X.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Continuing Education Units were established by a national task force of educational associations and are intended for use where employers, re-licensing agencies or others require a specified number of hours of study, and noncredit study is acceptable for fulfillment of those requirements. One CEU is awarded for each ten hours of contact participation. Benerd College is an approved continuing education provider for the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (Provider #PCE 760), and the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (Provider #5-91-266-0799). All subject codes begin with a U.

Professional Development Units (PDUs)
Post-baccalaureate professional development (9000-9999 level) coursework designed specifically for graduate level educators and administrators. Semester units of non-degree graduate level credit are awarded for successful completion of coursework. In addition, these courses will be listed on a University transcript. All subject codes begin with a P. While it may be possible for the credits earned in these courses to be used for salary advancement and state licensing requirements, we do not provide assurance that any state licensing board or school district will accept these credits for those purposes. Individuals seeking credits for those purposes are advised to check with the appropriate agencies and gain approval prior to registering.

Cancelation & Refund

All cancelation requests must be received in writing and refunds are subject to approval. Forms can be obtained here >

Extension (EXTN) and Non-Credit courses:
A $10 cancelation fee will be assessed when a cancelation request is received, in writing, at least 3 business days prior to the course start date. No refund will be given to no-shows or requests received less than 3 days prior to start date.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs):
A $25 cancelation fee will be assessed when a cancelation request is received, in writing, at least 3 business days prior to the course start date. No refund will be given to no-shows or requests received less than 3 days prior to start date.

Online Courses:
A $25 cancelation fee will be assessed when a cancelation request is received, in writing, within 3 days of registering and before the student has signed into the class/received the materials. No refund will be given after 3 days or upon entering the online class.

Declined Checks

There will be a $25 charge for all declined checks.

Overload

The maximum study load during a semester for undergraduates without special permission is 18 units. Students who wish to enroll for units in excess of the maximum study load must petition their school or college for approval in advance. Approval is based to a great extent upon the student’s past academic record and will result in additional tuition charges.

Accreditation

The University of the Pacific is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Here are a few frequently asked questions for our online registration portal:

How do I sign in as a student?
There are three options to sign in as a student.

  1. If you already have a PacificNet ID, do not use the option on the left, register like you are a new user.
  2. If you are a new user, then you need to register for a new account using the option on the right. You will be emailed a username and temporary password to use for our registration portal (uc.pacific.edu).
  3. Once you receive the email with your usename and temporary password, you will use the option in the middle to sign in.

How do I register for a course or certificate?
After searching and finding the course or certificate you would like to register for, add it to your cart and go through the checkout process.Here is a guide that takes you step-by-step through the checkout process.

I am a current Pacific student, but I am receiving a "validation error" when trying to login through Canvas. How do I resolve this?
University College registration is separate from the University of the Pacific's registration. Please use the third column that states: "I am a new user.." You may still use your student pacific email address. New login information will be sent to the email address you provided. 

Don't see your question? Contact us at 209.946.2424 or continuinged@pacific.edu .

If you would prefer to register offline, download a copy of the Offline Registration Form and submit it using one of three ways:

Fax it to: 209.946.3916

Mail it to: University of the Pacific/Benerd College, 3601 Pacific Avenue, Stockton, CA 95211

Questions? Call us at 209.946.2424

Professional development grades generally take four to six weeks from time of completion to be processed. You will receive confirmation in the form of an unofficial transcript, accompanied by an official transcript request form.

We ask that you do not request an official transcript until you have received these in the mail. Be sure to order your transcript from the Stockton transcript ordering link (shown below). For information on your final grades or a status report on processing, contact Benerd College at 209.946.2424.

Click here to learn how to request a transcript.

  • Benerd Professional Development and Professional Development for Educators students should choose “Yes, currently attending” for the Enrollment Status question, so that the Hold for Grades option does appear.