Substance Use Disorder Studies Online Associate Degree

Starting in Fall 2025, Lake Washington Institute of Technology will offer a 90-credit associate degree in Substance Use Disorder Studies. Successful graduates of this program will satisfy the academic requirements for earning a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) certificate with the Washington State Department of Health. All courses in this degree are fully online, offered in synchronous or asynchronous modalities.

SUDP applicants in Washington State are required to have an associate degree in human services or related field, or successful completion of 90 quarter (or 60 semester) college credits in courses from an approved school. At least 45 quarter (or 30 semester) credits must be in courses relating to the substance use disorder profession and must include the topics listed in WAC 246-811-030. In addition to coursework, students seeking SUDP certification need to complete field experience hours, pass a national exam, and pay an application fee.

The SUD Studies associate degree will prepare students for entry into the Behavioral Health workforce as a Substance Use Disorder Professional – Trainee (SUDP-T), and the degree meets the academic requirements for transfer into a related Bachelor of Applied Science program, such as the LWTech Behavioral Healthcare BAS.

Those interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Letha Fernandez. Phone: (425) 739-8100 x8531, email Letha.Fernandez@LWTech.edu. You can also enroll online to get started.

An Online Pathway for Licensed Providers

Washington state has also created an “alternative training” pathway for certain licensed professionals:

• Psychologists
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Counselors
• Social Workers
• ARNPs

• Osteopathic physicians
• Osteopathic physician assistants
• Physicians
• Physician assistants

WAC 246-811-077 allows these individuals to move forward toward an SUDP credential much more quickly. These licensed providers need only one-third the coursework: 15 quarter credits covering 7 particular topics. Course work on each of the following topics specific to alcohol and drug addicted individuals is required:

1. Survey of addiction;
2. Treatment of addiction;
3. Pharmacology;
4. Physiology of addiction;
5. American Society of Addiction Management (ASAM) criteria;
6. Individual group, including family addiction counseling; and
7. Substance use disorder law and ethics.

Lake Washington has developed a series of three online courses to provide this content to working professionals anywhere within Washington state. Columns A to G reflect the specific educational content mandated in WAC 246-811-077.

Course #	Title	Cr.	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
BHAV 111	Substance use issues	5	A		C	D
BHAV 121	Treatment of substance use issues	5		B			E	F
BHAV 232	SUD systems of care	5							G

These courses are offered 100% online, fully asynchronous to facilitate easy access by anyone in the state. The classes are taught by experienced educators with a history of training SUD professionals. The classes can be taken in any order. These classes are typically offered:

• Summer: BHAV 232
• Fall: BHAV 111, BHAV 121
• Winter: BHAV 232
• Spring: BHAV 111, BHAV 121

Any student in these courses is immediately eligible to apply for an SUDPT credential.

Licensed providers using the “alternate pathway” to an SUDP credential must still pass a state-approved exam, complete hours of supervised experience, and submit an application. These licensed providers need only complete 1,000 hours of supervised experience, rather than the 2,000 required of baccalaureate degree holders or 2,500 required of associate degree holders. Lake Washington Institute of Technology does not coordinate students' supervised experience or arrange placements. 

You can enroll online and get started immediately.

Those interested in learning more are encouraged to contact Letha Fernandez. Phone: (425) 739-8100 x8531, email Letha.Fernandez@LWTech.edu.