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Springfield College School of Human Services - Transforming Careers and Communities

Springfield College School of Human Services To Award Credit for Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies Courses

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 14, 2010 -- Addiction counseling professionals will have smooth pathways to bachelor’s degrees from the Springfield College School of Human Services (SHS), thanks to a new agreement with the Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies (ICDS), based in Houston, Texas, which has programs in 16 states nationwide.

Springfield College, with School of Human Services campuses in 11 U.S. locations, will award undergraduate credits for successfully completed ICDS courses to students enrolled in the SHS undergraduate program. Up to 24 credits will be eligible for transfer toward the 120-credit bachelor’s degree.

According to ICDS President Greg Lovelidge, “This agreement attests to the college-level quality of ICDS education, which is accepted for certifications and licensures across the country. Springfield College has an international reputation for education in the human helping fields. Through this partnership, we can equip dedicated professionals with the latest knowledge and skills to be excellent addiction counselors.”

Robert J. Willey, dean of the Springfield College School of Human Services, said “Graduates of the ICDS courses have consistently demonstrated solid academic preparation in addiction counseling. We welcome the experience that they will bring to our learning environment and look forward to advancing their preparation to become leaders in their field.”

The new agreement will enable graduates of ICDS courses to complete their bachelor’s degrees in as little as two years at the SHS. The school, with its base at the main campus of the 125 year-old college in Springfield, Mass., also offers degree programs at regional campuses in Los Angeles and San Diego, Calif.; Wilmington, Del.; Tampa Bay, Fla.; Boston, Mass.; Manchester, N.H.; Charleston, S.C.; Houston, Texas; St. Johnsbury, Vt.; and, Milwaukee, Wis.

SHS programs are designed for working adults with classes two weekends a month for bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates. Many students enter the program with years of experience in human services work. The SHS offers a process for undergraduates to claim up to 72 credits for courses successfully completed at other accredited colleges and universities, various professional certifications and trainings, and experience that is equivalent to college-level learning. The school follows standards of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning in awarding such credit.

SHS undergraduate programs are accredited by the Council for Standards in Human Service Education, and Springfield College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

The ICDS offers counselor training, continuing education, and additional certification courses at its classroom locations and on-line. It specializes in four elements of counselor education: substance abuse, continuing education, three specialized certifications, and preparation for the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) examinations.

ICDS programs are located in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Texas.

The ICDS is an approved education provider of the NAADC, the association for addiction professionals, which sets the standard of excellence in clinical and professional training and development in the addiction counseling field.

All aspects of Springfield College’s academics and student life are characterized by the humanics philosophy, which emphasizes educating the whole person, consisting of spirit, mind, and body, for leadership in service to other people. There are more than 5,000 students at its main and regional campuses, and 41,000 alumni in 60 nations.