Culturally-Centered Addictions Research Training, Graduate Certificate

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	15
Additional Admission Requirements	Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Research	Individualized research is required.
Some online/blended coursework	Required

Purpose Statement

The Culturally-Centered Addictions Research Training (C-CART) graduate certificate is a research and training program designed to educate graduate students and current clinical service providers with knowledge and research skills that include culturally-centered practices, related to Substance Use/Substance Use Disorders (SU/SUDs) which can be applied in interprofessional practice and diverse settings. There will be a central emphasis on research related to drug use (including opioids and other substance use disorders) that can be applied in interprofessional, and diverse health care settings (IDHC).  

It prepares practicing clinicians and current doctoral students at Northern Arizona University who are in disciplines such as counseling/school/clinical psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and interdisciplinary health to work effectively as clinical researchers to address substance use/substance use disorders (SU/SUDs) within IDHC settings.  Course content provides a platform for educational and research experiences for students who are interested in clinical or health services research in their academic and career development and will enhance professional development. 

The core coursework is designed to provide students with an understanding of working in an IDHC setting, and to gain addiction research knowledge and methodological competencies in various quantitative and qualitative research methods. Additionally, students will complete a year-long research experience enabling students to become exposed to real-world primary care, behavioral health, and IDHC settings in rural and medically underserved areas. Students will learn to work with members of other disciplines in interprofessional teams, exploring culturally-centered evidence-based practices through case scenarios, problem-based learning, and the completion of a practice-based research project.

Student Learning Outcomes

As a result of completing the IBHC C-CART Graduate Certificate, students will: 

• Gain familiarity with the behavioral health consultant (BHC) model of behavior change and learn how to apply this model in various clinical setting.
• Identify the biological, environmental, behavioral and social causes and consequences of drug use and addiction across the lifespan.
• Advance new and improved health service research strategies to prevent drug use and its consequences while serving integrated interprofessional, diverse behavioral healthcare settings.
• Demonstrate understanding of this health-service research knowledge by conducting data analyses, interpreting findings, developing quantitative and qualitative research methods plans, and writing effective results narratives that provide a direct benefit to cooperating IBDHC agencies in which the students are placed. 
• Identify new and improved treatments to help people with substance use/substance use disorders achieve and maintain a meaningful and sustained recovery.
• Advance important and innovative health services questions applied to in the context of the US healthcare system and health policy research.

Graduate Admission Information

• The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
  
  Admission requirements include the following:

  • Transcripts.
  • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.

  
  Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
  
  Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

  International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• C-CART Scholars will be required to meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Enrolled or accepted into a doctoral degree program in one of the following areas:
    • Doctor of Occupational Therapy,
    • PhD in Combined Counseling/School Psychology
    • PsyD in Clinical Psychology
    • PhD in Interdisciplinary Health 
    • Doctorate in Physical Therapy (Phase II)
  • An employee of a Community Partner organization with an earned doctoral degree in applied psychology, public health, behavioral health, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, or a related health or human services field.  
  • Demonstrate commitment to a career that emphasizes clinical or services research in the fields of behavioral health with a special emphasis on addictions; and
  • Intend to remain enrolled in the C-CART Graduate Certificate for all five semesters and attend two local/national/state conferences in the area of addictions.

Certificate Requirements

• Take the following 15 units:

  • CAR 600, CAR 610, CAR 615, CAR 650, CAR 685 (15 units)

• This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.

Additional Information

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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