If you want to help individuals and communities struggling with substance use risks, this minor provides an interdisciplinary overview that will start you on the path to solutions.

The Substance Use minor provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary overview of licit and illicit substances, substance use patterns, risks of use, types of substance use treatment, and disparities in access to treatment. The Substance Use minor program follows a bio-psycho-social framework that emphasizes the intersection of environmental, social, psychological, biological, and pharmacological factors that contribute to substance use and substance use disorder. The three required public health courses establish this conceptual foundation, and the elective courses allow students to explore the economic, social, and psychological implications as taught from different disciplinary perspectives. These include predictors of use as well as the prevention and treatment programs and policies.

Note: Students may apply 6 units toward a BS in Public Health or a BA in Wellness and Health Promotion Practice.

A minimum of 18 units are required for the undergraduate minor in Addiction and Substance Use.

Required courses - 9 units:

• PHPM 225 - Introduction to Addiction and Substance Use (3)
• HPS 306 - Drugs and Society (3)
• PHPM 448 - Addiction and Substance Use Policy (3)

Elective courses - select 9 units:

• PSY 313 - Drugs and the Brain (3)
• PHIL 345 - Philosophy and Psychiatry (3)
• ANTH/LAS/POL 348 - Drug Wars and Oil Fortunes in Latin America (3)
• LAS 354 - Drugs and Violence in Mexico (3)
• CTS/FCM 410 - Substance Misuse in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Populations (2)
• HUSV 430 - Substance Abuse Theory and Counseling (3)
• HPS 442 - Nicotine Dependence, Treatment, and Coaching Interventions (3)
• SERP 478 - Substance Use and Prevention (3)
• FCM 496A - Advancements in Substance Misuse Research & Clinical Care (2)

No more than 3 units may be selected from the following:

• HPS 302 - Introduction to Program Evaluation in Global Health (3)
• EPID 309 - Introduction to Epidemiology (3)
• PHPM 310 - Health Care in the U.S. (3)
• PA/PHIL 321 - Medical Ethics (3)
• HPS 350 - Principles of Health Education and Health Promotion (3)
• PAH 350 - Health Humanities: Intercultural Perspectives (3)
• HPS 387 - Health Disparities & Minority Health (3)
• HPS 404 - Fundamentals of Evaluation (3)
• PCOL 406 - Comprehensive Human Pharmacology (3)
• AFAS/HPS 444 - Rethinking Race and Health in the United States (3)
• PHCL 445 - Drugs of Abuse (3)

 

Eligibility

2.5 GPA

Admission to the minor requires a minimum 2.5 GPA.

View Curriculum Guide

How to Declare the Minor

Step One

Take time to review the minor curriculum guide and course options to ensure that the Addiction and Substance Use minor is the best option for your career goals and interests.

Step Two

Declare Minor

Complete the online Public Health Minor Declaration Form. Note: Admission into the minor does not guarantee entry into public health courses as course registration depends on meeting course pre-requisites and course availability.

STEP THREE

Find your Advisor

See the academic advising page to determine your academic advisor (determined by the student's campus and last name). Once the minor has been added to your program in UAccess you will have access to email and meet with your assigned minor advisor.