Featured news

Faculty and staff work to create new scholarship honoring alum James Rothrock

Photo of James Rothrock and his Wife

It was only a week after James Rothrock’s death when Christine A. Reid, PhD, CRC began pursuing the idea of starting a scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University in his name.

Rothrock, who earned his master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from the VCU College of Health Professions, served as commissioner of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services from 2002 until his retirement in 2018. He also was an adjunct instructor for VCU’s Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, bringing his expertise and lived experience with disability to the classroom. He died in March at age 72 after a cancer diagnosis. 

To read more, visit VCU News' article about James Rothhock and the scholarship honoring his name.

Carolyn Hawley featured in July Richmond Mag on problem gambling

Headshot of Carolyn Hawley

Virginia Council on Problem Gambling President Carolyn Hawley shares her thoughts on the potential social costs associated with opening a casino in the city, as well as how gaming revenues should be spent to minimize possible harm in the community. The VCPG is a nonprofit advocacy group focused on education, prevention and treatment for those struggling with gambling disorder. 

Read more by visiting Richmond Magazine's "At What Price?"

Vocational Rehab

Congratulations to Kanako Iwanaga, Ph.D., assistant Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, for receiving a subaward from the University of Wisconsin for her project titled:

"Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment"

Addiction Studies Continuing Education

Continuing Education

Link for registration, and for more information: http://ocpe.vcu.edu/addictionce

Evidence-based Practice

VCU faculty and practitioners from our nationally recognized Department of Rehabilitation Counseling in the School of Allied Health Professions embed the latest translational research in program content so counselors can incorporate the most effective methods into their clinical practice. We also offer courses for professionals in the law enforcement, education and health care fields and for community members, that provide relevant and timely information. VCU currently ranks 4th among masters level rehabilitation and mental health training programs in the nation.

Each noncredit pathway meets the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Counseling educational requirements for certification as a substance abuse counselor. Many of our continuing education modules will be offered online to maximize ease of use and accessibility. Each module will be available for one week; you can participate anytime within that week. Modules consist of two 20-minute lectures/presentations; one application-based activity and an interactive discussion experience with your instructor and classmates. Modules are designed to provide 2.0 contact hours. Alternative formats may be utilized based upon instructional content and goals.

Face-to Face trainings may be offered particularly for skill development content, such as clinical supervision training and individual and group counseling. More information will be provided regarding these training options as they become available.

Pathway to Your Goals 

Do you want to be a Certified Addiction Counselor, provide face-to-face clinical supervision, or just take a course or two to incorporate the latest research into your clinical practice? Are you a professional in the law enforcement, education or health care field, and need the latest information on addiction and recovery to better serve your community?


Learn more about our options to help you meet your goal.

  • VCU Noncredit Certificate in Addiction Studies

    This noncredit certificate includes 240 contact hours, delivered through 2-hour modules in 13 content areas, with a minimum of 16 hours in each. It meets the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Counseling didactic training requirements for the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) by examination. VCU provides the required CSAC continuing education hours for successfully completing the program, and offers bundle pricing, group discounts, and flexible payment plans.

    VCU will provide a noncredit record of completion, which is a required component of your paper application for the CSAC by examination with the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Counseling. You will also receive a noncredit certificate of completion.

    For detailed information about the CSAC by examination requirements, click here.

  • VCU 20-Hour Clinical Supervision Course

    This noncredit course includes 20 contact hours, and prepares you to provide face-to-face clinical supervision for prospective certified counselors. The course covers the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Counseling supervision requirements and gives you tools to incorporate current translational research into clinical practice.

    All participants either must be a licensed practitioner (in any state) or have completed the VCU Noncredit Certificate in Addiction Studies.

  • VCU Continuing Education in Addiction courses for professionals

    This option offers flexibility to enroll in 2-hour modules so you can stay current in the latest research and effective techniques.

    All courses are accepted by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Counseling.

  • VCU Continuing Education in Addiction courses for community members

    Designed for professionals in the law enforcement, education and health care fields, these courses provide up-to-date information that is relevant and recognizes the interwoven role each professional plays in recovery.

    A variety of courses focused on addiction and recovery for the community are included in this option.