Welcome to UW Flexible Option! If you are a new student to UW Flexible Option or are still considering whether this program is a good fit for you, you should familiarize yourself with the information, policies, and guidelines listed on this page. As a non-credit program, the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program has several unique policies that often differ from other UW Flexible Option programs. You are encouraged to refer directly to this non-credit Academic Policies webpage for information specific to this program. Should you have questions on which policies and guidelines apply to you, please reach out to an Enrollment Adviser or your Academic Success Coach for more information.
Registration Information
Registration opens three months prior to the start of a subscription period and remains open until the 15th of the month prior to the start of a subscription period, unless capacity is reached sooner. For example, a May subscription period start will open on February 1 and will accept registrations until April 15th, unless capacity for that subscription period is reached sooner. Click here to register now.
Grading Policy
This program does not use the traditional A – F letter grade system. Instead, this program is designed to assign “Mastered” or “Not Yet Mastered” based on a student’s performance on assessments. A grade of Mastered (M) is assigned for any assessment in which the student achieves an 80% or higher. Not Yet Mastered (NM) is assigned for any assessment in which the student achieves below 80%. A grade of Mastered on all assessments, including the summative (cumulative) assessment, is required to successfully complete this program.
Repeat Policy
Students may repeat domain-specific assessments in the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program as many times as needed, until mastery is achieved. However, students are limited to two attempts to demonstrate mastery of the final, summative assessment. Students who do not achieve mastery on the final assessment after two attempts are eligible to re-enroll in the program as early as the next available subscription period but are encouraged to speak with their Academic Success Coach to discuss whether the UW Flexible Option platform is a good fit for successful completion. Current registration fees will apply.
In the case of re-registration, any work previously completed or mastered is retained and carried forward. In other words, students may simply “pick up” where the work left off. The number of attempts at mastery of the summative assessment resets, and two more attempts are allowed.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of this program, students will receive a Certificate of Completion and documentation of 360 educational hours (36 Continuing Education Units, or CEUs) earned. The Certificate of Completion will be sent approximately 4 weeks after successful program completion. You may also want to access Desire2Learn (D2L) prior to your subscription period end date to print a copy of the Program Summary, which includes a competency set description, to provide with any state certification you may wish to pursue. Note: Students will also be provided with confirmation of completion upon meeting the minimum educational requirements for SAC-IT certification.
Wisconsin State Certification – For information on how to apply for Wisconsin state Substance Abuse Counselors (SAC) or Substance Abuse Counselor In Training (SAC-IT) certification after completing the required educational hours through this program, please visit our WI State Certification web page.
Ordering Replacement Copies of Certificates and Transcripts
Students needing replacement copies of a Certificate of Completion (either for the full program or meeting the minimum educational requirements required for the SAC-IT) may request copies through the UW Flexible Option Registrar’s Office. You may also complete this form to order a copy of your CEU (Continuing Education Unit) transcript.
Cancellation Policy
Students who have registered for the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program may cancel their registration up to three (3) days prior to the start of their subscription period and will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. For example, a January subscription period start must be cancelled by 11:59 p.m. on December 29 to receive a refund. No refunds will be provided after the cancellation deadline has past (see Compassionate Refund/Extension Policy for extenuating circumstances). To cancel registration, click here.
Refund Policy
There are NO tuition refunds for the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program (see Compassionate Refund/Extension Policy for extenuating circumstances).
Compassionate Refund Policy
There are NO tuition refunds for the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program. In extenuating circumstances, the Compassionate Refund/Extension Policy may be granted for students enrolled in the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program.
The Compassionate Refund Policy applies only to students enrolled in the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program who are unable to continue in their competency set due to compelling circumstances beyond their control.
Compassionate refunds (and associated withdrawals) are contingent upon approval and may be warranted in two sets of circumstances:
- A life-threatening or disabling illness/accident for an enrolled student.
- Death of an immediate member of the family or household of an enrolled student. The definition of family or household includes spouses, children, partners/significant others, parents, stepparents, and in-laws.
Students seeking a compassionate refund must consult with an Academic Success Coach (ASC) and will be required to provide written verification for consideration. Please understand that if a compassionate refund is granted, a $50 administrative fee will be assessed and the student will be withdrawn from the program.
Compassionate Tuition Refund and Administrative Fee by Subscription Month
| Fee or refund type | Prior to start – 10th day |
1st month | 2nd month | 3rd month | 4th month | 5th month | 6th month |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative fee | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Tuition refund % (less administrative fee) |
100% | 100% | 75% | 60% | 45% | 30% | 15% |
Compassionate Extension Policy
In certain extenuating cases, students enrolled in the Substance Use Disorders Counselor Certificate program may need an extension of their competency set. Students who were on track to complete all of their competencies but were unable to do so in a timely manner, due to extraordinary circumstances, may seek approval for a compassionate extension.
Students granted a compassionate extension do not need to re-enroll in the competency set but will be allowed an extension to complete the competency set within an allotted time frame, as determined by the program coordinator. If the work is not completed during the specified time frame, a grade of Not Yet Mastered (NM) will be posted. Such students will need to re-register for the program, and current registration fees will apply.
Key Dates to Remember
Registration Deadline —The 15th of the month prior to a subscription period starting
(e.g., January 15 for a February subscription period)
Payment Due Date/Tuition Due Date—Payment/tuition is due at the time of registration
Cancellation Deadline—11:59 p.m. three (3) days before the subscription period starts
(e.g., 11:59 p.m. on December 29 for a January subscription period)
A $50 administrative fee for cancellation will apply
Subscription Period Begins—2nd day of any given month
(e.g., January 2 for January subscription period)
Subscription Period Ends—Last day of the 6th month of a subscription period
(e.g., 11:59 p.m. on June 30 for January subscription period)