University at Buffalo (UB)
MA in Drugs, Health and Society
Whether it is the opioid overdose crisis or the psychedelic boom, the need for expertise in drugs has never been greater. Yet drug expertise has often been divided between science and medicine, and society and politics.
The MA in Drugs, Health and Society is a unique multidisciplinary program that brings together experts from across the University to train students in all dimensions of drugs and addiction: scientific, therapeutic, social, and political. It prepares students for a wide range of careers, including addiction treatment, addiction research, or other drug-related scientific or medical disciplines, as well as drug policy or advocacy, and related fields such as journalism, human resources, or criminal justice where expertise on drugs and addiction is important.
The Learning Environment
Students take classes from a diversity of expert faculty in Social Sciences, Humanities, Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Law, Social Work and Education. All students receive advanced training in both the science and the politics of drugs and addiction, and choose a specialty emphasis in one of two concentrations: Science and Health or Society and Politics.
Program Requirements and Curriculum
MA Coursework (27 credit hours)
2 classes in Public Health
- Harm Reduction (500) OR Public Health Perspectives on Addiction (530)
- Study of Health Behavior (501) OR Health Behavior Change (502)
1 class in Nursing
- Primary Care of Individuals and Families Experiencing Addiction (553) OR Neurobiological Basis of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders (569)
1 class in Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Molecular Neuro-Psychopharmacology (516)
1 class in Psychology
- Psychology of Drug Addiction: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment (830)
1 class in Social Work
- The Nature and Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems (560)
1 class in History
- The Politics of Drugs in the United States (563)
1 class in Sociology
- Sociology of Punishment (529) OR Crime and Public Policy (530) OR Race, Crime, and Punishment (526) OR Sociology of Health and Illness ( 541) OR Social Inequalities and Health (569)
1 elective class from Education, Public Health, History, Law, Sociology or Social Work
- CEP 504, Introduction to Addiction and Substance Abuse
- CHB 525, Health Disparities
- CHB 528, Tobacco Control
- CHB 529, Cannabis: A Review of its Pharmacology, Mythology, and Implications for Public Health
- HIS 576, Introduction to Disability Studies
- HIS 566, A History of Madness
- HIS 577, Disability History I: An Introduction to Disability History
- LAW 733, Drug Testing in Professional Sports
- SOC 526, Race, crime, & punishment
- SOC 530, Crime and Public Policy
- SOC 541, Sociology of Health and Illness
- SOC 569, Social Inequalities and Health
- SW 561, Dual Disorders
1 class in Public Health
- Harm Reduction (500) OR Public Health Perspectives on Addiction (530)
1 class in Pharmacology & Toxicology
- Molecular Neuro-Psychopharmacology (516)
1 class in Psychology
- Psychology of Drug Addiction: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment (830)
1 class in Social Work
- The Nature and Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems (560)
2 classes in History
- The Politics of Drugs in the United States (563)
- Introduction to Disability Studies (576) OR Disability History (577) OR History of Madness (566)
2 classes in Sociology
- Sociology of Punishment (529) OR Crime and Public Policy (530) OR Race, Crime, and Punishment (526)
- Sociology of Health and Illness (541) OR Social Inequalities and Health (569)
1 elective class from Education, Public Health, History, Law, Sociology or Social Work
- CEP 504, Introduction to Addiction and Substance Abuse
- CHB 501, Study of Health Behavior
- CHB 502, Health Behavior Change
- CHB 525, Health Disparities
- CHB 528, Tobacco Control
- CHB 529, Cannabis: A Review of its Pharmacology, Mythology, and Implications for Public Health
- HIS 566, History of Madness
- HIS 577, Disability History I: An Introduction to Disability History
- LAW 733, Drug Testing in Professional Sports
- NPM 553, Primary Care of Individuals and Families Experiencing Addictions
- NPM 569, Neurobiological Basis of Mental Health and Addictive Disorders
- SOC 526, Race, Crime, & Punishment
- SSW 560, The Nature and Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems
- SSW 561, Dual Disorders
Mentored MA Project (3 credit hours)
Depending on advisor and topic, select from:
- HIS 598 Project for MA students
- PSY 600 Graduate Work
- SOC 600 Project Guidance
- PMY 517 Project Guidance
Learning Goals and Competencies
By the completion of their studies in the proposed advanced certificate program in Drugs, Health, and Society, students are expected to demonstrate the following primary student learning outcomes:
- Knowledge of the sciences of drugs, drug use and addiction. Students will become familiar with, understand and be able to apply biomedical, psychological and public health knowledge about drug use and addiction.
- Knowledge of addiction treatment. Students will become familiar with, understand,and be able to apply the main modalities of addiction treatment.
- Critical thinking about drugs, health and society. Students will develop analytical skills needed to understand and communicate effectively about the social and political dimensions of drugs, drug policy, addiction and addiction treatment.
The Admissions Process
Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applications include a written statement of goals, academic transcripts, and two letters of recommendation (at least one must be an academic recommendation). Particular attention and consideration will be given to applicants with lived expertise, including those with experience as peer counselors, who when appropriate may be given exceptions from some admissions requirements.
Want to learn more? Complete this form for additional program information.
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