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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
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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 -
Admission
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Secure Your Spot on the Waiting List!
This program operates on a waiting list. To be eligible to enroll in program classes, students must first complete academic preparedness requirements and go through the declaration process.
Before submitting an application, be sure to:
- Review the Waiting List section
- Review the admission requirements for deadlines, materials, and requirements
- Estimated Wait Time: To be determined
- Program Capacity: 50 spots each Fall semester. It shares this capacity with other programs that have a similar curriculum.
Need help? Learn more about the Madison College experience and get support with your application.
Start your application today and take the next step toward your career goals!
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application deadline is August 31, 2026
Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission 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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
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.
Fall 2026 Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission 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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Students are required to meet the current admission requirements, academic preparedness requirements, and complete the declaration process. Requirements are subject to change based on updates to accreditation requirements or Madison College program assessment data.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Addiction Studies career.
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Waiting List
Beginning Fall 2026
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program. A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
This program has academic preparedness requirements that must be completed before beginning core classes. When you’ve completed all academic preparedness requirements, you will complete the declaration process.
Pre-core students can run their Degree Progress Report to confirm which pre-program requirements are satisfied/not satisfied and view specific ways to satisfy requirements.
Prerequisites:
- Reading and Writing (testing, college coursework)
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.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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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.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 27 29 38 Number of Surveys Sent 27 29 38 Number of Surveys Returned 24 21 30 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 13 11 7 Percent Available for Employment 54.2% 52.4% 23.3% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 45.8% 47.6% 76.7% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 12 10 6 Percent of Graduates Employed 92.3% 90.9% 85.7% Employed in Related Occupation 6 7 3 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 50.0% 70.0% 50.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 6 3 3 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 50.0% 30.0% 50.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 1 1 1 Percent Seeking Employment 7.7% 9.1% 14.3% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.6 3.5 Number of Satisfaction Responses 19 16 13 Very Satisfied (4) 11 10 9 Percent Very Satisfied 57.9% 62.5% 69.2% Satisfied (3) 8 6 3 Percent Satisfied 42.1% 37.5% 23.1% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 7.7% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 24 21 30 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 Other 0.0% 4.8% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 12 10 6 Before Enrollment 5 5 3 Percent Before Enrollment 41.7% 50.0% 50.0% While Attending the College 1 4 0 Percent While Attending the College 8.3% 40.0% 0.0% After Training at the College 6 1 3 Percent After Training at the College 50.0% 10.0% 50.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 12 10 6 In College District 11 9 5 Percent In College District 91.7% 90.0% 83.3% In Wisconsin, Not in District 1 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 8.3% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 1 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 10.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 16.7% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 5 4 3 Average Monthly Wage $3,353 $4,100 $3,576 Average Hourly Wage $19.50 $23.84 $20.79 Average Work Hours per Week 46.0 40.0 41.7 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 2 Average Hourly Wage $15.00 $20.00 Average Work Hours per Week 5.0 30.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Addiction Services & Pharmacotherapy Substance Abuse Counselor ARC Community Resources Substance Use Disorder Counselor Monona Girl Scouts of Badgerland Community Engagement 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
