- Introduction
- Brief History
- Philosophy of the Major
- Curriculum
- Policies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Senior Seminar Portfolio
- Tips for Success
Introduction
Every day, countless lives are saved and enriched because of the work carried out by alcohol and drug counselors. In a myriad of settings, competent, well-trained counselors form professional therapeutic relationships and carry out evidence-based interventions which help clients and their families move from life-threatening addiction to life-affirming recovery. The purpose of the BS degree in alcohol and drug counseling is to help students meet the academic and practicum requirements to become licensed alcohol and drug counselors in Minnesota (as per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 148C and Minnesota Rules 4747), and prepare for employment.
This major is for students who have a variety of needs and interests related to alcohol and drug counseling. It is designed to help students qualify for licensure, for community college transfer students, for people who are already licensed or certified and want to complete their undergraduate degree, as well as for other professionals (social workers, psychologists, school counselors, nurses, law enforcement personnel, etc.) who want to learn more about alcohol and drug counseling.
The practice of alcohol and drug counseling includes the 12 core functions or eight practice dimensions and competencies, as well as the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to assure positive outcomes in work with clients and their families.
The transdisciplinary foundations necessary to become competent in the professional treatment of alcohol and drug use problems include: understanding alcohol and other drug addictions, treatment knowledge, application of knowledge to practice and professional readiness.
The basic tasks and responsibilities, which are the core of competent professional practice in alcohol and drug counseling, include the following eight practice dimensions: clinical evaluation, treatment planning, referral, services coordination, counseling, client education, documentation, and professional and ethical responsibilities.
In order to become a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, graduates will need to; pass a written exam which demonstrates their competence in the 12 core functions of Alcohol and Drug Counseling, and then make application to the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy.
Graduates find employment in: inpatient or outpatient treatment centers; detox facilities, aftercare, extended care, or halfway house programs; and assessment and referral centers. Typical workplaces for alcohol and drug counselors include: public or private school systems; hospitals; mental health clinics; social services agencies; probation and corrections; churches; private business; and city, state, or county government.
Established in 1971, Metropolitan State University is one of the seven state Universities in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (MnSCU). It is a comprehensive urban University committed to meeting the higher education needs of the Twin Cities and greater metropolitan population. The University provides accessible, high-quality liberal arts and professional education to the citizens and communities of the metropolitan area, with continued emphasis on underserved groups, including adults and communities of color.
The College of Professional Studies (CPS) was established in 1990. It encompasses departments of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, Education, Human Services, Psychology and Social Work. The mission of CPS is to serve as the university’s vanguard in the areas of professional development and community involvement, and to contribute to the liberal arts foundations of these areas. CPS is known for its culturally diverse faculty, quality and innovation in teaching, advising, research and community service. Its foci include cultural diversity, student-centered learning, application of knowledge through experiential learning, and faculty and staff development.
The Human Services Department (HSER) was established as part of the university’s ongoing effort to provide high-quality educational opportunities to students seeking entry into human services careers. Course work focuses on gaining an understanding of the historical, political, economic, scholarly, and ethical aspects of the helping professions.
Metropolitan State University has articulation agreements with the Addiction Counselor Program at Minneapolis Community & Technical College, the Chemical Dependency Counseling Program at Century College, the Human Services Program at Inver Hills Community College and the Human Services Program at Riverland Community College which enables their students to easily transfer credits earned at these institutions into the BS degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling.
