As the field of Addiction Science continues to grow, IAS recognizes the importance of training and education both for the community and for future Addiction Science professionals. We are dedicated to developing novel addiction science training and education programs for members of the USC community, the residents of Southern California, and the general public.
IAS shapes the future of addiction science by offering first-rate training and education opportunities to students at any point in their career development. In order to achieve transdisciplinary innovation, IAS supports students from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds. Whether you’re an undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or postdoctoral student, IAS has a program fit for your career and education goals
Our Programs
Minor in Addiction Science
Undergraduates in Addiction Science will broaden their understanding of addiction through a “cell-to-society” lens.
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Undergraduate Training Programs
IAS offers two different training programs for undergraduates who want to gain more experience in addiction science research. We accept undergrads from any health science related field (ex: psychology, public health, pharmacy etc.) and strongly encourage underrepresented students to apply. Students who participate in these training programs will gain exceptional research experience and will be become competitive candidates for Masters and PhD programs. Students will also be matched with accomplished mentors who are experts in the field of addiction science.
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Student Association for Addiction Science (SAAS)
For more training, networking, professional development, and collaboration opportunities, please consider joining the Student Association for Addiction Science.
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Master of Addiction Science
IAS offers a Master of Science in Addiction Science (MAS) for those who are interested in higher level careers in addiction science. Students can specialize in either a General Track, Research Track, or Clinical Track.
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Doctoral & Postdoctoral Mentorship
IAS faculty are dedicated to mentoring and supporting junior faculty and other trainees. Doctoral and Postdoctoral students can participate in a mentoring program where they are matched with a faculty mentor.
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Eligibility
The program is open to MSW, MAS, and MSN students who meet the following criteria:
- Good academic standing in the foundation year and advanced year of MSW, MAS, or MSN study.
- Matched or agree to intern at practicum placements working directly alongside persons with a substance use disorder. Examples include residential rehab, outpatient facilities, detox centers, Federally Qualified Health Center, etc.
- Not receiving funding support from other HCAI-administered training or scholarship programs.
- Possess or have an interest and commitment to learning about substance use, treatment, interventions and care.
- For MSW Students: Agree to select the Adult Mental Health and Wellness or Children, Youth and Families track.
- Agree to follow one of the course plans listed below as well as register and complete the required courses to obtain CATC Certification. Subject to change based on course availability.
- Agree to take the Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC) exam (fees covered by USC).
Visit the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work site for more information.
MSW Course Plan
Bolded courses are the required courses for RecoverUSC that are outside of the MSW program requirements.
OPTION 1
- ADSC 501 Foundations in Addiction Science (4 Units)
- SOWK 511 Critical Decision-Making in Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units)
- SOWK 523 Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units)
- SOWK 523: Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice I (3 Units)
- SOWK 651 Clinical Psychopharmacology for Social Workers (3 Units)
- SOWK 691 Applied Learning In Practicum Education III (3 Units)
- SOWK 693 Applied Learning in Practicum Education IV (3 Units)
OPTION 2
- ADSC 501 Foundations in Addiction Science (4 Units)
- RXRS 405 Breaking Brains: the Pharmacology of Addiction (4 Units)
- SOWK 511 Critical Decision-Making in Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units)
- SOWK 523 Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice (3 Units)
- SOWK 523: Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice I (3 Units)
- SOWK 691 Applied Learning In Practicum Education III (3 Units)
- SOWK 693 Applied Learning Practicum Education IV (3 Units)
MAS Course Plan
Bolded courses are the required courses for RecoverUSC that are outside of the MAS program requirements.
- ADSC 501 (4 Units) Foundations in Addiction Science
- RXRS 414 (4 Units) Modern Substance Use and Addiction OR RXRS 405 (4 Units) Breaking Brains: the Pharmacology of Addiction
- ADSC 506 (4 Units) Considerations in Addiction Science for Practitioners OR SOWK 523: Foundations of Integrative Social Work Practice I (3 units)
- SOWK 617 (3 Units) Substance Related and Behavioral Addictive Disorders and Recovery
- RXRS 412 (4 Units) Ethics, Drugs and Society
- SOWK 591 Applied Learning in Practicum Education (3 Units) 250 hours Last Semester prior to graduation
MSN Course Plan
Bolded courses are the required courses for RecoverUSC that are outside of the MSW program requirements.
- ADSC 501 (4 Units) Foundations in Addiction Science
- NURS 504 (3 Units) Pharmacology for Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURS 505 (4 Units) Pharmacology for Advanced Practice Nursing
- SOWK 617 (3 Units) Substance Related and Behavioral Addictive Disorders and Recovery
- NURS 605 (2 Units) Professional Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice
- NURS 606 (2 Units) Health Policy Principles in Changing Health Care Context
- NURS 604 Clinical Practicum: Management of Adult Patients with Complex (4 Units) and 192 hours
- NURS 608 Clinical Practicum: Primary Family (4 units) 192 hours
Student Association for Addiction Science (SAAS)
For more training, networking, professional development, and collaboration opportunities, please consider joining the Student Association for Addiction Science.
We’re thrilled to introduce you to the RecoverUSC: Addiction Treatment Certification program! This program is a fast track to becoming a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC) in the state of California through the California Association of Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE). Students in this program will become specialists in addiction counseling and will also be awarded $20,000 to be used toward their education expenses.
RecoverUSC is funded by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), and is a statewide initiative aimed at preparing Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Addiction Science (MAS), and Master of Nursing (MSN) students to support the growing workforce needs within communities impacted by substance use. The program aims to expand and retain the addictions workforce and provide recipients with hands-on training to bring meaningful contributions to the Addictions field. RecoverUSC pays for courses related to certification for MSW, MSN, and MAS students who are selected to participate. The stipends are provided as financial support during the training year to assist students with additional educational expenses. The stipend is $20,000 for each student.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Parga, MSW
USC Suzane Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
jparga@usc.edu
