UK College of Nursing to offer new Clinical Certificate in Addictions

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2026) — This fall, the University of Kentucky College of Nursing and The Graduate School’s UK Online program will welcome its first cohort of students seeking a Clinical Certificate in Addictions. 

Designed for graduate students and healthcare professionals seeking advanced education in addiction care, the program prepares learners to enhance their skills in the recognition, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of substance use and nonsubstance related addictions across the lifespan.

The 11-credit-hour certificate includes fully online didactic coursework focused on foundational principles of addictions, evidence-based pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment approaches, and transdisciplinary models of care emphasizing collaboration across healthcare disciplines. 

Students pursuing the clinical certificate pathway also complete a supervised clinical practicum consisting of 180 clinical hours in addiction-focused healthcare and community settings under the guidance of experienced preceptors. The flexible structure is designed to complement full-time clinical practice while allowing students to immediately apply new knowledge and skills within their professional roles.

Kentucky continues to face significant challenges related to substance use and addition, including one of the nation’s highest opioid overdose mortality rates. 

Julie Perry, D.N.P., assistant professor in the College of Nursing and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, will teach the courses initially. She said many clinicians lack formal training and confidence when it comes to treating addiction, which helped shape the development of the certificate.

The program may benefit a wide range of healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians and mental health professionals practicing in settings such as primary care, behavioral health, emergency services and public health.

Students will learn about various addictions, including substance-related addictions like general substance use disorders, alcohol use disorders and marijuana use; and behavioral/process addictions, including gambling, sex, social media, cell phone, food addictions — preparing clinicians to recognize and address a wide range of addiction-related behaviors.

Perry said that beyond general substance use disorders, exposure and accessibility to behaviors and experiences that can drive addictions is increasing.

“When anything helps our depleted level of dopamine rise, we have the potential to become addicted to it, so that we keep getting a rise in dopamine because we feel better with it,” Perry said.

Andrew Makowski, D.N.P., the coordinator for the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner track within the college’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program, said clinicians will strengthen their skills in assessing and screening for addiction disorders, recognizing signs and symptoms, and identifying co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions — competencies they can immediately apply within their clinical practice settings. 

“No single discipline can truly fully address addiction alone,” Makowski said. “And it really takes collaborative, whole person care to meet the needs of our patients, of our community, effectively.” 

This strengthened skill set also comes hand in hand with more impactful conversations with patients, confidently intervening and providing the proper resources.

“We want clinicians to feel equipped to not only recognize addiction, but to feel equipped to confidently intervene and support their patient’s recovery,” Makowski said.

For those interested in pursuing the certification, applications are due Monday, June 15 through The Graduate School, and UK employee tuition benefits apply.