International programme in Addiction Studies
Master of Science in Addiction Studies
The International Programme in Addiction Studies (IPAS) is a unique intensive online programme. Academic staff of the University of Adelaide (Australia), King's College London (UK) and Virginia Commonwealth University (USA) are jointly offering IPAS.
Your point of contact:
Our US partner Virginia Commonwealth University will be the primary point of contact for all students. Please visit their website for up-to-date information at www.vcu.edu/idas/IPAS.html.
Students:
Congratulations to the 14 students who are about to graduate from the IPAS programme and welcome to the student who have started the program in August 2012! We are very proud of the accomplished students who have chosen to further their career by studying IPAS. The exciting mix of students from different countries and profesional backgrounds adds a special dimension to this program.
In the news
IPAS expert Prof. Bankole Johnson (University of Virginia), will be the 2013 recipient of the NIAAA Jack Mendelson, M.D., Award. The Mendelson award is bestowed annually to outstanding alcohol investigator whose clinical research makes a substantial contribution to our understanding of alcoholism susceptibility, alcohol's effects on the brain and other organs, and prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders.
Prof Johnson is an alumni Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, a Professor of Neuroscience, and a Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia. We are privileged to have Prof Johnson in IPAS as an expert presenting on pharmacotherapies in the management of alcohol dependence.
IPAS expert Prof. Kennth Kendler (VCU) was honoured not once, but twice as the recipient of the Ming Stung Lifetime achievement award from the International Society for Psychiatric Genetics, and with the Jean Delay Prize from the World Psychiatric Association. The latter award is sometimes regarded as the “Nobel Prize” of psychiatry. We are proud to have such an outstanding clinician teaching in our program.
IPAS Program director dr. Femke Buisman-Pijlman (University of Adelaide) was awarded a State teaching award in the South Australian Science Excellence awards 2012. She was awarded an award for South Australian Early Career Science Educator of the Year - Tertiary Education. She received the award during a gala dinner in the presence of the three Vice-Chancellors of Flinders University, UniSA and the University of Adelaide. The award comprises a certificate, a trophy and prize money of $10,000.
Profile new students:
Students who joined the program in 2012 are again of the highest calibre: mature age professionals in the addiction field with a desire to become generalists. We have students from all over the world. Several Australian medical practitioners with senior positions have joined us to be able to get their registration at the Chapter of Addiction Medicine. Other Australian Addiction professional with a psychology or sociology background have joined us this year for their professional development. Understanding the addiction field in all its diversity helps them progress their career. We have been fortunate to have very accomplished students; some already have a Master or PhD degree. All bring in valuable experience in the field, which enriches the learning experience for all students.
IPAS at a glance:
- Successful students will receive a degree of Master of Science in Addiction Studies conferred by the three universities together.
- The programme will develop professionals who are highly prepared to assume leadership roles in the addictions field throughout the world. It is appropriate for recent graduates and professionals working in a range of fields such as health, law enforcement, policy and education.
- IPAS is a programme offered both full-time and part-time that is taught via distance education. No on-campus attendance is required at any time. Students from all countries can enter the programme, but teaching and exams will be in English only.
- Students will be taught the latest scientific developments using modern techniques. Since all three universities are world leaders in different areas of addiction studies, the programme will offer broad exposure to a wide range of addiction-related topics.
- Lecturers will be selected from among the world's leaders in the field in each of the subject areas, while programme directors will be faculty members of the three participating universities. Read more about teaching staff.
- Students who successfully complete the programme requirements will be awarded a Master of Science in Addiction Studies from all three Universities.
- Since you will pay VCU directly, you will not be able to apply for Fee-Help (HECS)
Application deadline:
The next class will start in August 2013 and applications will be managed by VCU. Please visit http://www.vcu.edu/idas/IPAS/ApplicationPacket.html for all the up to date information.
The deadline for application is July 1 2013.
Special IPAS scholarships
Several half scholarships were available for students in the previous years. We will try to find resources to offer them again in 2013.
Download the flyer by clicking here.
