International Program in Addiction Studies (IPAS)

IPAS 600. The Biological Basis of Addiction. 4 Hours.

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Designed to provide an overview of the neuropharmacology of drugs of abuse and dependence, including basic principles of drug action as well as comprehensive coverage of the major classes of drugs (opioids, stimulants, nicotine, alcohol, sedatives, cannabis, hallucinogens). Students will study mechanisms of action, effects, pharmacokinetics as well as tolerance and dependence for each of these drugs/drug classes. The reasons for addiction including biological, genetic, cultural and other determinants will be discussed. Laboratory-based methods used in addiction research will be covered.

IPAS 601. Treatment of Addiction: Psychosocial Interventions. 4 Hours.

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Designed to explore the scientific basis and treatment of substance misuse from a psychological perspective germane to the management of drug, alcohol and nicotine dependence. Students will have the opportunity to evaluate the principles of different theoretical approaches underlying psychological assessment and evidence-based practice. Students will develop a critical awareness of the current literature related to psychological theories of addiction. Students will examine the use and comparative efficacy of different psychological therapies in clinical practice including brief interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing/MET. Other interventions (case management, group work, self-help, integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, etc.) will also be examined along with the evidence base for relapse prevention, contingency management and therapeutic communities. Students will also have the opportunity to explore psychological approaches used with specialist populations such as young people and adolescents.

IPAS 602. Public Health Issues and Approaches to Addictions. 4 Hours.

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Provides an introduction to basic concepts and research methods in public health and epidemiology as they relate to the study of addictions, as well as an in-depth consideration of the personal, social, economic and cultural burdens/costs associated with drug and alcohol abuse and dependence. Individual and community-based risk and protective factors related to addictions, as well as primary and secondary prevention efforts aimed at reducing the addictions-related public health burden, also are a focus. An online lecture format featuring presentations by leading researchers and policy-makers in the field of addictions will be used, along with readings, online discussions and writing assignments, to (1) gain a greater understanding of the enormous costs of addictions at every level of society and (2) introduce students to some of the current thinking and programs related to the primary and secondary prevention of addictions.

IPAS 603. Addiction Policy. 4 Hours.

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Designed to provide students of differing backgrounds an understanding of the process by which international addiction health policy is formed and reformed around the use and misuse of both licit and illicit drugs. The course will look at the epidemiology of addiction around the world and the relationship between the burden of addiction and the corresponding effects of national and international drug policies.

IPAS 604. Treatment of Addiction: Pharmacotherapies. 4 Hours.

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Designed to provide an overview of the pharmacological management of alcohol and drug addiction. Covers the management of withdrawal from alcohol, sedatives, opioids, cannabis and stimulants, as well as long-term management of dependence on opioids, tobacco and alcohol. Additional topics include international perspectives on management of dependence, management of dependence during pregnancy and the process of medication development.

IPAS 605. Treatment of Addiction: Critical Issues. 4 Hours.

11-week online course; 4 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies), graduate certificate program in addiction studies or with permission of the IPAS program director. Designed to enable students to gain advanced understanding of the critical issues involved in the identification, recruitment, assessment, diagnosis and classification of individuals who misuse substances. Local, national and international barriers to treatment (stigma, culture, religion, politics, legal issues, civil commitment, cost, attitudes and beliefs) will be considered. Students will explore and critically examine treatment options in special settings (for instance, prisons, criminal justice and employment) and in special populations (for instance, addicted health care professionals, co-morbid patients, pregnancy).

IPAS 606. Research Methodology in Addictions. 6 Hours.

11-week online course; 6 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies). Designed to enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of the different methodological processes underpinning research in the addictions. The research principles involved in hypothesis testing and estimation procedures will be covered as well as the generic skills necessary to analyze data and interpret statistical findings. Basic epidemiological study designs, policy analysis and inferential statistical methods pertinent to the addictions field will be explored.

IPAS 692. Research Project in Addictions. 6 Hours.

12-week intensive online course; 6 lecture hours. 6 credits. Open only to students in the International Program in Addiction Studies (Master of Science in Addiction Studies). Students will be required to complete a research project under the supervision of IPAS faculty. The submitted written text will be a minimum of 10,000 words in length and must demonstrate a critical knowledge of the chosen topic area. The ability to apply scientific scrutiny to a topic related to aspects of drug and alcohol etiology, treatment, prevention, public health or policy as identified by the program team will be required. The research project may involve original data collection, secondary analysis of previously collected data sets or other quantitative or qualitative research methods. The necessary defining feature is that the research project should demonstrate an appropriate level of academic rigor and understanding of the scientific implications of the findings of the project. Students will need to demonstrate competence in the integration and analysis of data to further the translation of this knowledge into more effective policies and practices, in keeping with the stated aims of the program. Graded S/U/F.