Nov 09, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Catalog [PAST CATALOG]

Addiction Counseling (A.A.S.)


Official Title of Major: Addiction Counseling, A.A.S.

Award: Associate of Applied Science degree, A.A.S.

Code: AAS.HUS.ADD-CNSL

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 60

Learn more about the Addiction Counseling Degree Program

Purpose: Prepares students for careers in addiction counseling and enhances knowledge and skills of those already working in the field. Skills include individual, family and group counseling techniques, as well as assessment, treatment planning, prevention, and other topics related to addiction. Coursework includes 250 hours of clinical fieldwork. The degree provides the necessary academic coursework to attain certification as a certified supervised counselor-alcohol and drug (CSC-AD) by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors. Students should contact the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors for all licensure and certification requirements at 410-764-4732 or https://health.maryland.gov/bopc/ for requirements.

AACC cannot confirm whether the course or program meets requirements for professional licensure in states other than Maryland.   If you plan to apply for licensure in a state other than Maryland, contact that state’s licensing board to determine whether the AACC course or program meets requirements for licensure in that state.  If you need assistance finding contact information for your state, or if you need additional information regarding professional licensure, please contact the School of Health Sciences at 410-777-7310.

Additional Program Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all human services courses. 250 hours of unpaid clinical fieldwork in a community addiction agency is required in order to complete the program.

Range of Occupations

  • Addiction counselor

Honors Program Courses


If you qualify for the Honors Program, you may take honors versions  of some courses (such as ENG 101H , ENG 102H , etc.).

Graduation Requirements


See Academic Regulations for college-wide Graduation Requirements .

Entrance/Admission Requirements


Criminal Background Check and Drug Screening


This program requires the satisfactory completion of a criminal background check and possible drug screening. For complete details, see the Health Sciences  section of this catalog.

Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses


 

 

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Fast Track Planning Tool  

 

 

General Education Requirements: 25 credits


An approved list of general education courses can be found in the General Education and Diversity, Technology and Wellness Requirements  section of the catalog. Choose general education courses from the following topics:

English: 6 credits


Arts and Humanities: 3 credits


See General Education Arts and Humanities Requirements  for a list of approved courses.

Biological and Physical Sciences: 4 credits


Mathematics: 3 credits


Must choose a general education 3 credit hour math course. See General Education Mathematics Requirements  for a list of approved courses.  If planning to transfer to the University of Maryland Baltimore County social work program you should take MAT 135 .

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3 credits


Additional General Education Requirements: 6 credits


Program Requirements: 35 credits


Diversity Requirement


Satisfied by HUS 101 . 

Technology Requirement


Satisfied by CTA 100  or CTP 103 .

Wellness Requirement


Unless they are in a degree that is exempt, all students in associate degree programs must satisfy the Wellness Requirement . In many cases, students may satisfy this requirement simultaneously as they satisfy a general education course requirement or with an elective.

Fast Track


This program has a Fast Track Option  for those holding a college degree.

Program Outcomes


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

  1.  Summarize the field of human services and addiction professional’s obligations to adhere to legal, ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.
  2. Demonstrate basic counseling and case management skills and techniques in order to facilitate client services.
  3.  Design a plan to assess clients, design and implement specific and measurable goals.
  4. Describe the administrative aspects of service delivery.
  5. Develop interpersonal skills with clients and team members and demonstrate professional behaviors.
  6. Examine how their own values, personalities, reaction patterns, interpersonal styles, limitations and self-care practices impact their role as a human services professional.
  7. Analyze the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment process.
  8. Students will identify community resources.
  9. Students will demonstrate effective group facilitation skills.
  10.  Identify and explain a variety of models and theories of addiction. 
  11. Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the person using and significant others
  12. Describe the philosophies, practice, and policies of models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and co-occurring disorders.
  13.  Employ screening instruments to gather initial data about substance use and co-occurring disorders from the client that is sensitive to age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and disabilities.
  14. Students will have knowledge of individual therapeutic modalities that facilitate behavioral change.
  15. Complete required fieldwork with the Human Services Department and apply meaningful connections between classroom learning and experiences in the field.

This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies.

Related Offerings


Students may wish to also review requirements for the related majors or programs linked below.

Career and Educational Advancement Resources