Overview
If you are drawn to the field of mental health with an interest in helping others overcome addiction, the pre-licensed alcohol and drug counselor (pre-LADC) program at UMN Morris may be the right path for you. The pre-LADC program complements UMN Morris’s psychology and human services majors. Upon completion of the program—and an undergraduate degree—you will be fully prepared to take the Minnesota licensure exam to receive the LADC credential. Upon passing, you will be able to work as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in Minnesota.
The liberal arts approach to the pre-LADC program emphasizes personal and professional growth and development to gain a better understanding of yourself and others. You’ll learn how to provide culturally sensitive counseling for people who experience addictive and substance-related disorders.
As a pre-LADC student, you’ll work closely with your academic adviser to ensure that you are completing the coursework and the alcohol and drug counseling practicum required to pass the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy’s licensed alcohol and drug counselor exam.
Degree Requirements
Psychology Major
As a psychology major in the pre-LADC program, you must complete 67 total credits:
- 34 psychology pre-LADC credits
- 20 psychology non-pre-LADC credits
- 13 pre-practicum and practicum credits
Human Services General Sub Plan Major
As a human services general sub plan major in the pre-LADC program, you must complete 75 total credits:
- 34 human services general sub plan pre-LADC credits
- 28 human services general sub plan non-pre-LADC credits
- 13 pre-practicum and practicum credits
Note that by completing the above requirements, you automatically complete the psychology minor requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
By completing the pre-LADC program, you will be able to
- develop effective therapeutic relationships with people who have substance-related and addictive disorders;
- demonstrate competence in counseling services to people with substance abuse disorder, as defined by the 12 core functions;
- demonstrate related professional skills, such as clinical writing for professional documentation;
- conduct assessments;
- develop person-centered treatment plans;
- carry out evidence-based interventions;
- integrate and apply ethical standards, laws, and rules related to the State of Minnesota and the addiction counseling profession; and
- provide culturally sensitive and responsive interventions.
General Education Requirements
The University of Minnesota and its faculty are committed to providing an education that invites you to investigate the world from new perspectives, learn new ways of thinking, and grow as an active citizen and lifelong learner. The University’s general education requirements are designed to be integrated throughout your four-year undergraduate experience. These courses provide you an opportunity to explore fields outside your major and complement your major curriculum with a multidisciplinary perspective.
Transferring Credit
Put your credits to work for you at UMN Morris, where you’ll earn a degree from a highly ranked public liberal arts university.
Careers & Graduate School
Careers
Licensed alcohol and drug counselors typically work as addictions counselors, substance abuse counselors, or chemical dependency counselors in the following settings:
- Adult and adolescent public and private addiction treatment centers
- Community mental health centers
- Correctional facilities
- Federal, state, or county agencies
- Clinics and hospitals
- Educational institutions
Graduate School
Although a graduate degree is not required to work as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor in Minnesota once you’ve completed the UMN Morris pre-LADC program and passed the exam, you will be well-prepared to pursue graduate studies should you want to.
Costs & Aid
The University of Minnesota Morris is a national public liberal arts college committed to making a high-quality education available to students from across the country. Expenses for housing, meals, books and supplies, transportation, loan fees, and personal expenditures can vary.
Learn more about the cost of attendance
Use our net price calculator to estimate your cost of attendance
Students who plan to practice as an LADC in a rural area or certain urban areas in Minnesota can apply for loan forgiveness through the state’s Health Care Loan Forgiveness program.
Research & Engagement
Research
During your time at UMN Morris, you may be able to take part in research opportunities to gain service and field experience as an undergraduate, and this is highly encouraged and supported by faculty.
Engagement
In addition to research, there are other ways to engage in your area of study outside the classroom, such as authoring or co-authoring publications. You may also have opportunities to present at campus, national, and regional professional and undergraduate conferences and to qualify for certain scholarly awards. And most programs at UMN Morris have an affiliated club.
Morris was the absolute best choice I could’ve made for college... In short, the athletics and marketing departments have both allowed me to grow and thrive in my photography business while I attend UMN Morris on the pre-LADC path. I have been able to do nearly every media day for our sports teams this year, which has been unreal. I also get to attend a variety of events and highlight Morris’s students and faculty as the marketing department’s student photographer. This semester I am a research assistant for Dr. Sorwell, too! Morris allows me an extremely high quality education, while allowing me to grow in my other interests.
—Grace Gallant ’26
