Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies gets new name, earns accreditation

NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University's Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies has been accredited by National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) as of July 1. NASAC is the sole accrediting body that represents addiction-focused educators and practitioners. The accreditation process took place over six months and consisted of a self-study report, curriculum review, credential validation and program evaluation by the commission.

"The accreditation status assures prospective students that our program meets the addiction profession's content and skill development standards," said Dr. Charles R. King, interim department head.

NASAC accreditation means the NSU's program curriculum meets national standards, that faculty have appropriate credentials and the program offers skill development opportunities essential for becoming an addiction professional.

"In the pursuit to reorganize the addiction studies program, the primary goal was to develop a program curriculum that aligns with national standards, offering students the most current theory, research and practice information," King said. "This was made possible by the dedicated faculty in the Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies, who have worked tirelessly to bring the vision to life. We are also grateful for the support from the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development."

The department recently changed from the Department of Psychology to the Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies and adjusted the minor in psychology requirement to permit students to work closely with advisors to create a more tailored education option.

The demand for psychologists is expected to grow by 14 percent through the year 2026. A degree in psychology offers numerous career paths that can include jobs in counseling, education, therapy, research, forensics, industrial/organizational settings and human resources, to name a few.

NSU's Master's in Clinical Psychology is positioned for significant growth with the recent passing of legislation that created a new Licensed Psychological Associate (LPA) for masters-level psychology professionals, aligning the program for accreditation through the American Psychological Association.

"I'm excited to witness the increased interest in psychology and addition studies," King said.

Information on NSU's Department of Psychology and Addiction Studies is available at https://www.nsula.edu/psychology/.