Master in Addiction Science

Addiction Science is the study of substance use and behavioral addiction, covering the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to addiction, along with prevention, treatment, and recovery approaches. Graduate coursework in this field typically covers the neuroscience of addiction, counseling and treatment methods, public health approaches to substance abuse, and policy related to addiction prevention and harm reduction. Students study how addiction develops, how it affects individuals and communities, and how treatment programs are designed and evaluated. This master's program in Addiction Science is offered at Sahmyook University in Nowon-gu, South Korea, taught in English, with intakes in March and September. Graduates of addiction science programs pursue careers as addiction counselors, treatment program coordinators, and public health specialists working on substance abuse prevention. Others move into research roles studying addiction treatment outcomes, or policy positions within government health agencies focused on drug and alcohol policy. The discipline draws on psychology, medicine, and public health, giving graduates a broad skill set for working directly with affected individuals as well as for shaping prevention and treatment programs at a systemic level. Given the ongoing public health challenges associated with substance use worldwide, training in addiction science equips graduates to contribute to both clinical treatment settings and broader prevention efforts. Studying this program in South Korea allows international students to engage with addiction science scholarship while gaining exposure to treatment and counseling approaches applicable across different healthcare systems. Graduates leave with counseling, research, and policy skills relevant to careers in behavioral health.