Distance Learning Center
for Addiction Studies
- What Is Distance Learning? -

What separates our distance education from previously used self-guided study (or home study) is the use of Internet technology that allows the participant access to not only instructional staff, but other students as well. Using e-mail, chat rooms, listserv, frequently asked question (FAQ) files and bulletin boards, students and already credentialed counselors can actively participate with an instructor and ask questions that both the instructor and other participants can respond to. This difference allows the training activity to be more like an in-class training, without the added expense of travel, hotels, meals, and most importantly, time away from home or work.

Currently there are a variety of standards that others use to assign credits for distance or home study courses. Some groups offer more hours for less information than we believe to be appropriate. We turned to the U.S. Department of Education to examine standards for adult learners, as well as talked with NAADAC and other professional organizations. As a result, we have developed a standard of between 12 and 15 pages of written material for each credit hour offered. Our goal is to insure that you receive the proper amount of quality information for the time you spend in distance education. Our courses will always be selected in order to insure that the information offered will lend itself to this type of learning experience. As a result, you will not see experiential types of courses being offered in this type of format.

To obtain educational credits, a student must complete all readings assigned and successfully complete a post test with a score of at least 80%.  In addition, a student must complete and return an evaluation of the course.  Students will also have the opportunity of posting questions for faculty or other student participants, and may also participate in monthly chat room events.  Active students will be notified of times and dates for such activities.

Our faculty have been and will be selected for their expertise in various content areas that are important to addiction professionals. Many courses are original works of the instructor. Other courses are adapted from federally produced works that are research based and widely accepted in the addictions field as being appropriate and proven. Be sure to check out the "faculty" page for more information on specific instructors, or simply click on an instructor's name to find out more.

All coursework is suitable for any health and human services professional seeking information or continuing education credits in the field of addictions. (e.g., Licensed/Certified Addiction Counselors, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Social Workers, Nurses, Physicians, Psychologists, etc.)

Courses being offered by the Distance Learning Center for Addiction Studies can typically be used for two types of educational needs:

• Basic training courses ( for the student who is beginning their credentialing process), and
• Continuing education courses ( for the already credentialed counseling professional).

Courses are available in two formats:

• Internet format - posted on our website or downloaded to your computer system (at no additional charge), or
• Hard copy format (available at an additional cost for materials/shipping/handling).

Please note: fees for hard copy formats of the educational materials include a materials and shipping fee above the basic cost of the training course.  There is no additional charge for Internet formatted materials.

Basic training courses will be offered in large blocks of hours, typically between 10 and 15 hours.  These courses are designed to help those individuals who are working toward obtaining a basic credential from their state or national body.   Many states now allow distance learning for basic training coursework - if you're not sure about your state, either visit our state listings by using this link - State and Other Body Approvals, or contact us at addictionstudies@dlcas.com and we'll help you discover if this opportunity exists for you. 

Most continuing education courses will be 3 hour courses (3 clock hours of education - not credit hours) unless otherwise specified. States currently allow anywhere from zero to 100% of continuing education hours to be obtained in a distance format.  If you have any questions about your own state requirements, please be sure to contact the appropriate credentialing body in your state.  

We continue to work with a variety of state and national groups to insure that our coursework will be accepted as "approved" training hours.  We are approved by the following state and national bodies:

• The National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC);
• The National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC);
• The American Psychological Association (APA);
• All major state licensure/certification boards.

For your convenience, we've included a link at the top and bottom of this page that will take you to a comprehensive listing of state requirements. It is ultimately your responsibility to insure that any credits being used for credentialing needs meet the local credentialing bodies' requirements. As we identify specific state requirements, we will post them on our website.