Interdisciplinary Graduate Minor Drug and Alcohol Counseling The NMSU School of Social Work

Six New Mexico State University departments have developed an interdisciplinary program in alcohol and drug counseling for their graduate students. Students accepted into the graduate minor take courses that prepare them for the state licensed alcohol and drug counselor examination. Students develop knowledge and skills to work with substance-affected individuals, families, and groups. They also learn to design plans for organizational and community intervention.

Admission Information

An interdisciplinary minor in alcohol and drug counseling is being offered to students at New Mexico State University in the following graduate program: Counseling and Educational Psychology; Criminal Justice; Family and Child Science; Health Science; Nursing and Social Work. Completion of this minor will prepare students to take the exam for licensure as a drug and alcohol counselor in the State of New Mexico.

Prerequisites for Admission

1. Students must have been accepted into the one of the six programs mentioned above, with regular admission status. Students with provisional admission will not be considered until they have obtained regular admission status.
2. Students must have completed at least 6 graduate credits in their primary field of study.
3. In programs with clinical and non-clinical tracks, students must already be accepted into the program's clinical track.

Admission Process

1. To apply for admission, students must submit the following information:


1. Copy of a graduate transcripts (official transcripts are not necessary)
2. Letter of interest (2 page limit) - summarize your background and describe your interest in this field; indicate experiences with a diverse groups
3. Resume (2 page limit) - describe internships and work experience
4. 2 letters of support from faculty or work supervisors - references should address your ability to complete the minor
5. Completed recommendation form - must be from the designed faculty in the student's home school or department


2. These materials must be submitted to Professor Pat Sandau-Beckler (505-646-4830; Box 3SW) in the School of social work starting the first week of February. Students whose packets are incomplete will not be considered for acceptance.
3. An admissions committee composed of faculty from the six participating Programs will review and rate the applications.
4. To assure a place in the minor, early application is encouraged. Applications will be accepted starting the first week in February and will be accepted until the second week of May. Students will be notified regarding their acceptance into the interdisciplinary minor as soon as the applications are reviewed and no later than the second week of May. Students accepted into the program begin classes during a short course in May.

Requirements for completion of Minor

1. If accepted into the interdisciplinary minor, students must successfully complete three or four required courses (varies by school or department) and a seminar in addition to the courses required by their home school or department. Students must repeat courses in which they receive less than a "B" grade.
2. Students must fulfill their existing school or department practicum/internship requirements in a setting where at least 50% of the cases have substance abuse issues.
3. Students must remain in good standing with their home school or department and the Graduate School, and successfully complete all requirements for graduation.

Schedule and Coursework

There are specific interdisciplinary course requirements for this minor. Contact Dr. Patricia Sandau-Beckler for details on these requirements as well as a tentative schedule.

Additional Information

The following department advisors may be contacted for more information about the interdisciplinary minor:

For more information on this program, email pbeckler@nmsu.edu