Initially, there are three steps, which must be satisfactorily completed before a student can be considered enrolled in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program. Continuation in the program is subject to an ongoing review by the Director of a student's performance in classes and personal and professional demeanor.
- All students are required to submit the following information to the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program Office to complete their student file.
- The application form needs to be completely filled out.
- Students need to answer completely all questions on the written Personal Statement Form. This must be typed.
- Submit three typed character reference forms. References need to be completed by professional persons (i.e., an employer, teacher, etc.) not related to you, who have had significant contact with you and are able to comment on your counseling potential or ability.
- Carefully read the Forms of Understanding: Confidentiality of Medical Records, Rights in Health Care Facilities, Institute for Chemical Dependency Professionals Code of Ethics, and Alcohol and Drug Studies Program Guidelines. Students are required to complete and sign the Student Signature Form of Understanding which indicates the student has read and understand the information. The Student Signature Form of Understanding needs to be signed in the presence of the Program Director or Department Representative and submitted to the Alcohol and Drug Studies Office. The actual form is to be retained by the student. Please direct any questions regarding the forms to the Director of the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program.
- Completely fill out the Individual Chemical Use Status Form.
- The Alcohol and Drug Studies Program Director or her/his designee carefully reviews each file to determine if the above application materials are complete and the minimum criteria is met and approves/disapproves the file for further consideration. In the event the file or any part of the file is not acceptable, the student will be given specific direction to satisfactorily complete the application. It is the responsibility of the student to insure that the Alcohol and Drug Studies Office receives all application materials.
- Successfully complete two Alcohol and Drug Studies courses with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA for undergraduates (minimum of 1 B and 1 C) and a 3.0 GPA for graduate students (minimum of 2 B's). Students must take:
- Introduction to Alcohol and Drug Studies Hlth 225 (3 credits)
- Any other course in Alcohol and Drug Studies
Overall, undergraduates must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and graduate students need a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the core coursework and all students need to satisfactorily complete each course in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program with a "C" grade or better in order to be eligible for an Internship Experience.
- Following the completion of the six credits (two courses) and a completed student file in the ADS Office, the student will be contacted individually for a formal screening. The formal screening process generally takes place Fall and Spring Semester. Students need to be aware that the formal screening process is only one of the evaluation procedures for students in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program. Satisfactory completion of the formal screening process and coursework does not guarantee eligibility to register for an Internship Experience.
The Screening/Selection Committee consists of the Program Director, counselors from the alcohol and drug studies field and MSU, M faculty. The Director, as well as one to three members of the Screening Committee, meets with each student for approximately thirty minutes. Following the selection process, students will be notified by letter regarding their admission status in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program. Admission status will be categorized as Acceptance, Probationary Acceptance or Deferment.
- Acceptance into the Program This means a student is approved to pursue coursework in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program. Following completion of the core coursework, and contingent upon the student's meeting the GPA requirement and ongoing informal evaluation of the student's personal and professional demeanor, a student will be eligible for an Internship Experience in Alcohol and Drug Studies.
- Probationary Acceptance This means that a student is accepted into the program contingent on following through with recommendations that are made to the student after the screening process. The student has one semester to make up minor deficiencies or complete recommendations made by the Selection Committee. If the student does not comply with recommendations or make up deficiencies, their status is moved to Deferment.
- Deferment This means that a student will be directed to wait a minimum of two semesters before going through the formal screening process a second time. Deferment could be based on the following: low GPA, length of continuous sobriety, and other deficiencies observed by the Selection Committee. If a student has deferred status into the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program, specific recommendations will be provided. Students may enroll in classes in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program (providing the student has completed any prerequisites and has secured permission from the instructor if necessary). If a deferred student chooses to do this, he/she needs to be aware that completion of the coursework does not guarantee permission to enroll in the Alcohol and Drug Studies Program.
