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MSW/LADC Pathway

Augsburg MSW students in the anti-racist, anti-oppressive clinical practice (AOCP) specialization have an opportunity to expand their work with clients experiencing addiction while increasing their career opportunities. This pathway incorporates
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) coursework into your MSW degree plan, allowing you to increase your expertise as a social work professional.

Why LADC?

  • Employment of substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
  • Addiction affects millions of people and contributes to thousands of deaths
    each year. About 9.5 million Americans who have a substance use disorder
    also have a mental illness. (AddictionCenter.com, MN Department of Health)

What can you do with an MSW and LADC?

  • Work at hospitals, treatment centers, schools, and more.
  • Provide individual and group counseling.
  • Complete intake and assessment processes with clients.
  • Provide case management to people in treatment and recovery.
  • Support people transitioning from treatment back into the community.
  • Work in programs that treat co-occurring mental health and substance
    use disorders.

Program Requirements

In addition to completing the MSW AOCP specialization degree requirements, LADC pathway students will complete the following courses

  • SWK 518: Foundation of Addictions (2 credits)
  • SWK 519: Motivational Interviewing (2 credits)
  • SWK 699: Elective – Co-Occurring Disorders (2 credits)
  • SWK 622: Field Seminar (2 credits)
  • 380 additional field practicum hours*

*Students complete a 500-hour field practicum to meet MSW degree requirements. This practicum needs to involve working with individuals who experience substance use issues for students to also meet the MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requirement of 880 total hours. For further information about the requirements for the LADC credential, please refer to the MN Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.

For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.

Schedule

Easily incorporate the LADC pathway into your degree plan with courses offered in the summer via our weekend format. For most students, this means three additional courses in their summer semesters (May through August) and a summer extension of their field practicum.

 

How to start?

Admitted AOCP specialization students are eligible for the LADC pathway. Candidates can indicate their interest when they apply to the MSW program or anytime prior to beginning their advanced field placement process (the spring before their final year in the program).