AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta’s Mental Health and Human Services program is now offering an advanced graduate certificate in substance use disorders as part of an expansion of the substance use disorder concentration. The program will admit its first cohort in fall 2020 and applications are now being accepted.
“We are very excited about this new program,” said UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “As a completely online program, the advance graduate certificate will offer current human services professionals the flexibility to obtain a graduate certificate that can lead to career advancement and become a pathway to a master’s degree. It is also consistent with UMA’s long-standing mission and history as a leader in distance education.”
The demand for training in the area of substance use disorders is growing exponentially and this new certificate seeks to meet the workforce development needs and societal demands of the current substance use crisis in Maine and across the country. It will also support the State of Maine’s efforts in this area, as outlined in Maine Gov. Janet Mill’s executive order to combat opioid epidemic.
In particular, the opioid crisis requires a concentrated effort by educational institutions and health care providers to address the need for well-qualified professionals and a well-trained workforce at all levels of the profession knowledgeable of existing treatment services, including the awareness of medically assisted treatment for this population. Additional graduate level training will help meet the level of knowledge and expertise needed for these positions.
“The curriculum will integrate various evidence based assessment and treatment protocols as they relate to addressing the needs and recovery of all people impacted by this disease,” said Kim Lane, UMA associate professor of mental health and human services and coordinator of the new program.
With the advanced graduate certificate, individuals would also have a pathway to pursue a master’s gegree. Since UMA’s program integrates course work with current academic programming available at its sister institutions within the University of Maine System, students could continue their graduate education at the University of Maine or the University of Southern Maine with some credits easily transferable.
Registration for UMA’s fall 2020 classes began April 13. For more information, visit www.uma.edu.
PHOTO: (UMA photo)
