Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work is accredited by the Illinois Certification Board, ICB (Formally IAODAPCA) as an Advanced Accredited Training Program, preparing social work students and practitioners to become Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors (CADC).

Upon completion of the training program (see below for program requirements), students are eligible to submit their application to ICB to take the CADC exam. A passing grade on the ICB-administered exam is required for official CADC certification. The ability to take the exam is reliant on the completion of the required classwork and internship house. 

Below are the timeframes to apply and the eligibility criteria:

• Five-Year BSW/MSW Students: Five-year MSW students must apply for the program during their senior year.
• Advanced Standing MSW Students: Advanced Standing MSW students are eligible to complete the CADC program during their MSW program and can apply after admission. They are eligible to apply to the CADC program as post-graduate students as well.
• MSW Students: MSW students apply during their first year in the MSW program as they begin the process of securing their second-level internship.

Coursework: The following courses are required by Loyola to fulfill state requirements.

• SOWK 722: Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders (3 credits)
• SOWK 621: Clinical Practice in Addictions (3 credits)
• SOWK 622: Substance Abuse Treatment in Groups (3 credits)

Internship: Students in the Micro Practice Specialization in the CADC track must secure a second-level internship at a site that has been approved by Loyola as a CADC site. Internship Hours: 600 hours for MSW students and 500 hours for Post-Grad students. 

Contact: Please contact our Director, Dr. Marcy Wilroy at 312.915.7576 or at CADC@luc.edu with further questions.

Students who wish to earn their CADC will need to e-mail CADC@luc.edu to schedule an interview -in-person or via zoom- with the program director, Dr. Marcy Wilroy, to discuss the following topics:

• Why are you interested in earning the CADC?
• How do you intend to apply this knowledge in your social work career?
• Where are you in your MSW/post-graduate journey?
• Which semester would you like to begin the program? (please note that changes may need to be made depending on circumstances related to the program)