Mar 29, 2024  
Catalog 2014-2015 
    
Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemical Dependency Counseling


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Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Health Workforce Shortage Program

General Education - 21-23 Credits


General Education Electives:


(Choose courses in each category from the list of approved General Education Courses . One 3-credit General Education course must be a Diversity course.)

  • Arts and Humanities or Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credits.
  • Biological and Physical Sciences 3-4 Credits.
  • Mathematics 3-4 Credits.
  • Wellness and Health or Information Technology 3 Credits.

Total Number of Credits Required for Degree: 61-63*


* A new college orientation requirement, completion of the one-credit ACDV 101  course, Transitioning to College, went into effect spring 2010. If you are a credit student who is new to college (meaning you have not successfully completed college coursework at another institution(s)), you are required to take ACDV 101  during your first semester at CCBC, thereby increasing the number of credits required for the degree to 62-64 credits. Students are required to provide an official transcript(s) to document successful completion of college coursework at another institution(s) in order for this requirement to be waived.

NOTE: Students are not required to complete General Education courses before enrolling in required program courses.

Program Outcomes:


Upon successful completion of this degree, students will be able to:

  1. utilize a variety of counseling skills and abilities to function effectively as chemical dependency counselors in a variety of settings;
  2. understand addiction and the characteristics and treatment demands of chemically dependent/substance abusing clients;
  3. know the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs;
  4. apply appropriate diagnostics criteria for substance related disorders, and criteria for other mental health disorders that commonly co-occur with addictive disorders;
  5. express themselves professionally, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences including clients, other professionals and external monitoring agencies; and
  6. conduct themselves professionally and ethically as chemical dependency counselors.

Program Description:


The A.A.S. degree program in Chemical Dependency Counseling is designed to prepare students to function as chemical dependency counselors in a broad range of treatment settings such as residential and outpatient programs, detoxification units, and halfway houses. Program graduates may also broaden their area of study to psychology, counseling or social work at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Through the A.A.S. degree program, students will complete a core of courses in chemical dependency counseling, and general college courses in writing, science, math and communications. Students in the A.A.S. degree program will also complete two internships in facilities providing chemical dependency counseling services. This experiential counseling opportunity greatly enhances the student’s knowledge and skills.

Certification for chemical dependency counselors is required by the State of Maryland. The credentialing process includes a combination of a college degree in a health or human services counseling field; course work specific to chemical dependency counseling; hours of supervised counseling experience; and passing a state-approved examination. Both the degree requirement and specific alcohol and drug course work are met by the completion of this degree.

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