USD requests for termination of substance abuse specialization

A request to terminate the substance abuse specialization in the Counseling and Psychology in Education graduate program has been sent to the South Dakota Board of Regents, and pending approval, it will no longer be available at the University of South Dakota.

Currently, there are three specializations in the program, including clinical health counseling, school counseling and substance abuse counseling. Low student enrollment in the substance abuse specialization is the main reason its termination is being requested, said Seth Olson, associate professor for the Counseling and Psychology in Education program.

“Once students graduate it depends on where they want to work. They might not encounter substance abuse, so we try to keep the program general and give students the basics. The internships are more selective,” he said.

Olson also said surrounding states are different when it comes to requirements to work as a counselor, and that it’s important to remember USD is not just training counselors for South Dakota.

Paul Turman, vice president for academic affairs for the SDBOR, said if an institution such as USD decides the program or specialization does not fit within its focus, the Board tends to agree and allow the elimination.

However, one school within the state must offer the program, he said.

“We’ve had institutions like DSU, which is the only institution for respiratory programs,” Turman said. “Some institution in South Dakota has to offer it.”

While the specialization will no longer be available, Deborah Dodge, director of curriculum and special projects, said the classes will still be available.

“They’ll still offer the courses because they exist out there, it’s just not a subset that would be transcripted,” she said. “The courses aren’t going away.”

Students can also take classes through the addictions studies program at USD.