Chemical Dependency Counseling

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Important Information

Short Description

The A.A.S. degree program is designed to prepare students to function as counselors in a broad range of treatment settings such as residential and outpatient programs, detoxification units, and halfway houses with substance-using clients. Students in the A.A.S. degree program will complete a core of courses, and two internships in facilities providing chemical dependency counseling services.

Certification for chemical dependency counselors is required by the State of Maryland. Both the degree requirement and specific alcohol and drug course work are met by the completion of this degree.

Type of Credential

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

Program Code

310

Contacts and Additional Information

Program Coordinator:

CCBC Dundalk, Ted McCadden, D.Ed., LCADC
443-840-3783 or tmccadden@ccbcmd.edu

Additional Information:

Health Workforce Shortage Program
Classes offered only at the Dundalk campus
Opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) - For Chemical Dependency Counseling, see Portfolio, Departmental Exam, and DSST Examination. Several General Education classes also have PLA opportunities.
Articulation and Transfer Agreements - While there are no program-specific agreements, see other types of agreements such as guaranteed admission, block transfer, and discounts.

Semester Sequence

This is a suggested full-time schedule for a student who has completed any developmental course work and has no transfer credits. Refer to the College catalog for specific requirements in selecting General Education courses .

Semester 1*

CMDP 102 - Issues in Addiction Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 110 - Fundamental Counseling Techniques 3 Credit(s).
ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Mathematics (MATH 153 recommended) 3 Credit(s).

Semester 2

CMDP 101 - Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 114 - Theory and Practice of Group Counseling 4 Credit(s).
CMDP 124 - Delivery of Services 4 Credit(s).
PSYC 103 - Principles of Human Growth and Development 3 Credit(s).

Semester 3

CMDP 211 - Theories of Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 233 - Ethics in Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CSIT 120 or PSYC 105 (meets the diversity course requirement.) 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 201 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Arts and Humanities 3 Credit(s).
Gen Ed. Elective - Social and Behavioral Sciences (PSYC 105 recommended) 3 Credit(s).

Semester 4

CMDP 173 - Internship I: Chemical Dependency Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 210 - Family Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 244 - Counseling Clients with Co-Occurring Disorders 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 273 - Internship: Chemical Dependency Counseling 3 Credit(s).
Gen. Ed. Elective - Biological and Physical Sciences (BIOL 107 or BIOL 108 recommended) 4 Credit(s).

Courses Needed for This Program*

General Education Requirements and Electives - 19 Credits

General Education Requirements:

ENGL 101 - College Composition I 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s).

General Education Electives:

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

Arts and Humanities 3 Credit(s).
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 Credit(s).
Biological and Physical Sciences (BIOL 107 or BIOL 108 recommended) 4 Credit(s).
Mathematics (MATH 153 recommended) 3 Credit(s).

Program Requirements and Electives - 41 Credits

Program Requirements:

CMDP 101 - Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 102 - Issues in Addiction Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 110 - Fundamental Counseling Techniques 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 114 - Theory and Practice of Group Counseling 4 Credit(s).
CMDP 124 - Delivery of Services 4 Credit(s).
CMDP 173 - Internship I: Chemical Dependency Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 210 - Family Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 211 - Theories of Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 233 - Ethics in Counseling 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 244 - Counseling Clients with Co-Occurring Disorders 3 Credit(s).
CMDP 273 - Internship: Chemical Dependency Counseling 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 103 - Principles of Human Growth and Development 3 Credit(s).
PSYC 201 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s).

Total Number of Credits Required for Degree: 60*

Note

*Credit students who are new to college (no successfully completed transferable college credits from other institutions) are required to take ACDV 101 - Academic Development: Transitioning to College . This 1-credit course is designed to be taken in the first semester at CCBC. Students must provide an official transcript(s) from an accredited institution to document successful completion of college coursework for the ACDV 101 requirement to be waived.

Program Description

The A.A.S. degree program in Chemical Dependency Counseling is designed to prepare students to function as counselors in a broad range of treatment settings such as residential and outpatient programs, detoxification units, and halfway houses with substance-using clients. 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.

Program Outcomes

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

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