Waynesburg University was recently awarded a University Workforce Development grant, supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), as part of an award totaling $1,000,000 over a 30-month period, effective April 2025, to address workforce shortages in substance use disorder (SUD) counseling.
the Counseling Department at Waynesburg University offers a rare and exceptional 100% online addiction counseling program, accredited by CACREP, uniquely tailored to meet the needs of adult learners.”
Through this partnership between DDAP and Waynesburg University, approximately 25 students enrolled in the University Workforce Development Program (UWDP) will be eligible to receive up to $32,000 in stipends and tuition, reducing the financial burden for aspiring and diverse SUD counselors.
“Waynesburg University is committed to addressing the unmet needs of the behavioral health workforce,” said Dr. Kelley McNichols, assistant director of Graduate Counseling Programs and assistant professor of counseling. “We recognize the necessity for properly trained, competent and effective change leaders. As such, the Counseling Department at Waynesburg University offers a rare and exceptional 100% online addiction counseling program, accredited by CACREP, uniquely tailored to meet the needs of adult learners.”
To apply to the program, students must be enrolled in Waynesburg University’s Master of Arts in Counseling program, with preference given to those in the addiction counseling track and to those who reside in the state of Pennsylvania.
“Students involved in the program can expect to become a member of a meaningful community that thrives on connection and innovative learning experiences,” said Dr. McNichols. “The opportunity to partner with DDAP forges a cutting-edge pathway intended to bolster the recruitment of diverse SUD counselors and clinical supervisors while strategically investing in aspiring counselors which will support the sustainability of the SUD behavioral health workforce.”
Students who enroll in the UWDP must complete their field placement experiences at DDAP licensed drug and alcohol treatment facilities in Pennsylvania and agree to a three-year service commitment as a SUD counselor for one of those facilities. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to become Nationally Certified Counselors (NCC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) and Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC).
For more information or to see the full eligibility requirements, visit waynesburg.edu/university-workforce-development-program or contact Dr. McNichols at kelley.mcnichols@waynesburg.edu.
University Workforce Development Program
Learn more about the University Workforce Development Program at Waynesburg University and the application process at the link below.
