Overview
About the program
The Problem Gambling Certificate prepares students to identify, assess, and respond to problem gambling behaviors through evidence-based prevention, intervention, and treatment strategies. Students will learn to support individuals, families, and communities impacted by gambling disorder by conducting screenings and assessments, developing recovery plans, making referrals, and coordinating services.
While this certificate may be earned as a stand-alone credential for students or professionals seeking specialized training, it is also designed as a stackable option within the Social Work & Addictions (SWA) degree pathway. The Problem Gambling Certificate provides the coursework required for students to qualify to apply for their CDCA through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDPB). As a result, students completing the Problem Gambling Certificate have a direct connection to an entry-level, state-recognized credential that enhances their employability in behavioral health, community corrections, and related settings.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Problem Gambling Certificate will be able to:
Demonstrate knowledge of the history, prevalence, and social impact of gambling in the U.S.
Define gambling disorder terminology, identify withdrawal symptoms, and describe the progression of the disorder.
Apply screening, intake, assessment, and diagnostic criteria in simulated and supervised practice contexts.
Demonstrate competence in gambling disorder treatment, including individual, group, and family counseling, interventions, relapse prevention, and recovery planning.
Explain the impact of gambling on individuals, families, finances, and communities, and apply strategies for harm reduction and prevention.
Compare and contrast gambling disorder with substance use disorders, highlighting shared and unique treatment needs.
Recognize and address the sociocultural, financial, and spiritual issues that influence gambling behaviors.
Demonstrate professional practice skills including ethical decision-making, case documentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and adherence to client rights.
Identify and respond to the needs of special populations affected by gambling, including adolescents, older adults, women, cultural minorities, and justice-involved individuals.
Describe the traditions and philosophy of Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon, Gam-A-Teen, voluntary exclusion programs, and other emerging support systems.
License/Credentialing Eligibility
The Problem Gambling Certificate provides the coursework required for students to qualify to apply for the Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) credential through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDPB).
Students who choose to also complete their Associate of Applied Science Degree in Social Work & Addictions can stack the Problem Gambling Certificate to earn both the certificate and degree simultaneously.
Graduates of the SWA degree and the Problem Gambling Certificate, who subsequently obtain their Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) II credential, will have met the educational hours to apply for the OCDPB Preliminary Gambling Endorsement. As with other credentials, graduates must complete additional supervised work hours post-graduation as required by the OCDP Board.
Occupational Certification Opportunities
Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board – Meets the 30-hour educational requirements for the Gambling Endorsement.
May be applied toward professional development requirements for licensed social workers and counselors.
Complements existing addiction counseling certifications (e.g., CDCA, LCDC II, LCDC III, LICDC, & LICDC-CS) by adding a specialized focus on gambling.
This certificate is valuable as a stand-alone specialization or as a stackable credential that leads to advanced licensure and endorsement opportunities. Because the certificate stacks with the Social Work & Addictions Associate Degree, students may advance toward LCDC II, LCDC III, or LICDC credentialing while positioning themselves for transfer into bachelor’s-level social work programs. This specialization prepares graduates to address urgent workforce shortages by providing direct support to individuals, families, and communities impacted by gambling disorder.
This program is supported by the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO), the Ohio Casino Control Commission (OCCC), and the Crawford-Marion Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board.
Total Credit Hours: 31
Application Requirements
- Completed MTC Application for Admission.
- Final high school transcript (or GED results) and college transcripts (if applicable).
- Demonstrate college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA for entry and to remain in good standing in the program.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Problem Gambling Certificate will be prepared for roles in behavioral health agencies, hospitals, community programs, and correctional or court systems where training in gambling disorder treatment is increasingly in demand:
Problem Gambling Counselor / Specialist (with Gambling Endorsement)
Addiction or Behavioral Health Counselor (CDCA → LCDCII track)
Case Manager or Behavioral Health Technician
Prevention Specialist with focus on gambling disorder awareness and education
Recovery Support Specialist / Peer Recovery Supporter
Community Outreach Worker in gambling and addiction awareness initiatives
Correctional Program Facilitator for addiction and gambling treatment in correctional settings
Crisis Intervention Specialist with focus on gambling-related suicidality and co-occurring disorders
Family Support Specialist working with families impacted by gambling disorder
Emerging Workforce Needs
Because of the shortage of gambling-trained professionals, new opportunities are opening in:
Judicial & Court Settings – specialty dockets addressing gambling-related cases
Probation & Parole Services – integrating gambling screenings at intake and supervision
Correctional Programs – providing gambling disorder education and treatment in Community-Based Correctional Facilities (CBCFs) and prisons
Community-Based Treatment Providers – and other agencies offering gambling-specific counseling and prevention programming
Curriculum
- The following is a typical course sequence for completing this program. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
- Note: Per program policy, a minimum grade of "C" is required to pass all SWA courses.
- All SWA courses require a demonstration of college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc.
- Minimum 2.0 GPA for entry and to remain in good standing in the program.
First Semester
| FYE1000 | Academic and Career Success | 1 |
| SWA1000 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 3 |
| SWA2010 | Introduction to Counseling | 3 |
| SWA2030 | Introduction to Case Management | 3 |
| SWA2621 | Problem Gambling: Treatment & Recovery | 3 |
Second Semester
Third Semester
| SWA2630 | Chemical Dependency: Ethics | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 31