Applications open for Substance Use Counseling Undergraduate Training Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2026) — Applications are now open for the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s (CoSW) Substance Use Counseling Undergraduate Training Program, an opportunity designed to prepare undergraduate students to help address critical behavioral health workforce needs across Kentucky.

Students interested in the program can apply through 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 20 with additional information available on the program’s website.

Created in partnership with the Kentucky Center on Addiction Studies and Research, the fully online training experience provides foundational knowledge, applied skills and state-recognized preparation for students interested in supporting individuals, families and communities affected by substance use disorders.

Completion of the associated coursework may support eligibility to pursue Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor Associate I (CADCA I) recognition, a state-awarded designation that represents an important early step toward professional practice in addiction-focused behavioral health roles in Kentucky.

The opportunity is particularly relevant for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW), but may also be available to qualified undergraduate students from other majors whose academic preparation aligns with course expectations.

Through targeted coursework and applied preparation, students build foundational knowledge of substance use disorders, treatment models and recovery support; practical skills in client engagement, assessment and community resource coordination; and workforce readiness through preparation for state-recognized certification.

The program is designed to reduce barriers to entering a field where trained professionals are urgently needed, particularly in rural and underserved Kentucky communities. While students are responsible for tuition associated with the coursework, additional certification fees are fully covered.

Building skills for the workforce

The latest application cycle builds on the program’s early success. In Fall 2025, 15 students in the inaugural cohort earned their CADCA I certification, followed by another 15 students enrolled in the Spring 2026 cohort.

Among the program’s first participants was 2025 BASW graduate Ta’Niya Rucker, who completed the training before graduation. Rucker said the experience helped her prepare for the CADCA I exam and “gave me more confidence moving in the direction I want to go.”

BASW student Jadyn Gevedon also completed the program and earned her CADCA I certification. Gevedon plans to pursue a career in child welfare and said the skills she developed in understanding substance use and engaging with others will continue to inform her work.

“I will carry this knowledge with me throughout every path I pursue,” Gevedon said.

For students, the training offers an opportunity to build specialized expertise while still completing their undergraduate education and begin connecting classroom learning with the needs of Kentucky’s behavioral health and recovery workforce.

How to apply

Applications for the next cohort are open Sept. 7-20, 2026.

Students interested in behavioral health, substance use counseling, recovery services, health care or other community-based careers are encouraged to apply.

The CADCA I is awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, not by the University of Kentucky. It is not a University of Kentucky-awarded credential, certificate, micro-credential or badge, and no credential will be recorded on the academic transcript. Only completed course credits will appear on official University of Kentucky transcripts.