Alcohol and Drug Counseling Major BS
Everyday countless lives are enriched or saved because of the work carried out by alcohol and drug counselors. Competent, well-trained counselors from professional relationships and carry out strategies which help people and their families move from life-threatening addiction to life-affirming recovery.
The BS degree in alcohol and drug counseling is for students who have a variety of needs and interests related to substance abuse problems. It is designed to help students qualify for licensure, community college transfer students, people who are already licensed or certified and want to complete their undergraduate degree and for other professionals (social workers, psychologists, school counselors, nurses, law enforcement personnel and others) who want to learn more about effective responses to substance abuse problems.
This major is 60 credits, which includes 12 core courses (48 credits; and an 880-hour practicum sequence (9 credits), and 3 elective credits.
Alcohol and Drug Counseling Requirements
Courses are listed in suggested sequence order
- HSCD 300 Chemical Dependency Concepts
- HSCD 200 Pharmacology of Drug Abuse
- HSER 355 Introduction to Human Services
- HSER 346 Counseling and Interviewing Skills
- HSER 353 Social Casework Methods
- HSER 395 Human Services and Diversity
- HSCD 303 Cultural Aspects of Chemical Dependency
- HSER 348 Group Counseling
- HSCD 309 Dual Disorders: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
- HSCD 302 Chemical Dependency Assessment & Diagnosis
- HSCD 400 Best Practices in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- HSCD 450 Senior Seminar: Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Practicum Courses
- HSCD 320 Alcohol and Drug Counseling Pre-Practicum Seminar
- HSCD 380 Alcohol and Drug Counseling Practicum I
- HSCD 390 Alcohol and Drug Counseling Practicum II
Licensure Requirements Track
There is also a track for students who alrady have a bachelor's degree who are seeking to meet licensure requirements. This track requires the following core courses and practicum. Equivalent courses taken at other colleges or universities may also apply.
Core Courses
Courses are listed in suggested sequence order
- HSCD 300 Chemical Dependency Concepts
- HSCD 200 Pharmacology of Drug Abuse
- HSER 346 Counseling and Interviewing Skills
- HSER 353 Social Casework Methods
- HSCD 303 Cultural Aspects of Chemical Dependency
- HSER 348 Group Counseling
- HSCD 309 Dual Disorders: Substance Abuse and Mental Health
- HSCD 302 Chemical Dependency Assessment & Diagnosis
Practicum Courses
- HSCD 320 Alcohol and Drug Counseling Pre-Practicum Seminar
- HSCD 380 Alcohol and Drug Counseling Practicum I
- HSCD 390 Alcohol and Drug Counseling Practicum II
This degree program requires five core courses. The required core content areas insure that graduates have a sufficient complement of theoretical knowledge and practical training for entry as a professional in the field of human services.