You’re one of those rare people who feels a calling to help others. We’ll get you started.
Students Talking
29
Recent Graduates
There are 29 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$49k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $49,200.
Addiction Studies
Program Number: 305201
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Law, Protective and Human Services
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
24 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$4,027.76

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    Our Addiction Studies technical diploma allows you to specialize in the knowledge, skills and competencies essential to the field of addiction and recovery. The diploma is a sequence of courses within the Human Services Associate Degree Program.

    This course sequence is approved by the Department of Safety and Professional Services in the State of Wisconsin to fulfill the 360 educational hour requirement necessary for licensure as a substance abuse counselor (SAC) or clinical substance abuse counselor (CSAC). During the program you will be able to apply for SAC-IT (substance abuse counselor in training) certification.

    The Addiction Studies courses introduce you to concepts in the field of substance use disorders and addiction counseling. It also emphasizes areas required by the Department of Safety and Professional Services.

    You will explore areas of assessment, case management, counseling, education and professional responsibility. You will also develop and apply the skills necessary to work in a variety of agency settings offering treatment and recovery services.

    Completion of the Addiction Studies Technical Diploma prepares you to provide evidence-based, ethical and culturally competent treatment and recovery services to diverse populations.

    Program Details

    Students in the Addiction Studies program can attend full or part-time.

    Addiction studies classes may be offered at the Madison South campus.

    Careers

    Completion of the technical diploma offers students the opportunity to apply for licensure in the State of Wisconsin as a substance abuse counselor (SAC) or clinical substance abuse counselor (CSAC). Diploma graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of addiction and recovery including:

    • Case Manager
    • Intake Worker
    • Residential Treatment Attendant

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    Required Courses
    10-520-117
    3 credits
    10-520-135
    3 credits
    10-520-142
    3 credits
    10-520-136
    3 credits
    10-520-116
    3 credits
    10-520-157
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Fall 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admissions Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation. 

    3. Additional Education Requirement

    Submit official transcripts that demonstrate one of the following:

    • Completion of an associate degree or higher in a human-service related field
    • Active in an associate degree or higher in a human-service related field
    • In rare circumstances, additional experience and education may be considered. Contact the School of Human and Protective Services for more information.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis. 
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Addiction Studies career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Addiction Studies program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Develop and maintain supportive, strengths-based helping relationships that foster growth and problem solving for clients seeking recovery services.
    • Apply skills to the development of individualized care, treatment plans and interventions in individual, family and community settings.
    • Demonstrate advocacy and professional and ethical standards.
    • Provide services in a culturally competent manner.
    • Develop respectful relationships with staff, clients, families and communities.
    • Demonstrate effective oral communication with staff, clients and families.
    • Communicate clearly in written reports and maintain clinical records per agency and state requirements.
    • Demonstrate case management, referral and community educational skills in areas such as prevention, treatment and recovery information.
    • Demonstrate assessment and treatment knowledge, skills and strategies for people with addiction and mental health issues.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates262729
      Number of Surveys Sent262729
      Number of Surveys Returned192421
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment151311
      Percent Available for Employment78.9%54.2%52.4%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market21.1%45.8%47.6%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed141210
      Percent of Graduates Employed93.3%92.3%90.9%
      Employed in Related Occupation967
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation64.3%50.0%70.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation563
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation35.7%50.0%30.0%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment111
      Percent Seeking Employment6.7%7.7%9.1%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.63.6
      Number of Satisfaction Responses191916
      Very Satisfied (4)121110
      Percent Very Satisfied63.2%57.9%62.5%
      Satisfied (3)686
      Percent Satisfied31.6%42.1%37.5%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied5.3%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses192421
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%0.0%4.8%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses141210
      Before Enrollment555
      Percent Before Enrollment35.7%41.7%50.0%
      While Attending the College614
      Percent While Attending the College42.9%8.3%40.0%
      After Training at the College361
      Percent After Training at the College21.4%50.0%10.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses141210
      In College District14119
      Percent In College District100.0%91.7%90.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District010
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%8.3%0.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin001
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%0.0%10.0%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count854
      Average Monthly Wage$4,028$3,353$4,100
      Average Hourly Wage$23.42$19.50$23.84
      Average Work Hours per Week42.546.040.0
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count012
      Average Hourly Wage$15.00$20.00
      Average Work Hours per Week20.05.030.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Addiction Services & PharmacotherapySubstance Abuse Counselor
      ARC Community ServicesCase Manager/Certified Peer Specialist
      Atlanta Public SchoolsBehavioral AideAtlantaGA
      Miramont Behavioral HealthClinicianMiddleton
      TellurianClinical Case Manager
      The Beacon Catholic Charities of MadisonGuest Services Specialist

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Human and Protective Services

Madison Truax Campus
Protective Services Building, 100

1701 Pearson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

hps@madisoncollege.edu
608.243.5400

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm