Associate of Science in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling

Lead Faculty: Mr. Donald R. Posson

Faculty Advisor: Don Posson * (702) 531-783 * dposson@nu.edu

The Associate of Science degree in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling is designed to prepare students academically for entrance into upper-division courses to pursue a Bachelor’s degree as well as for certification as alcohol and drug abuse counselors. This program meets the academic requirements of The California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), a certification body recognized by the State of California. This program may not meet the requirements for certification in other states. For complete information on the CAADAC certification, or to order a CAADAC Handbook visit www.caadac.org or call (916) 368-9412.

Program Information
Upon application students must sign the ADC Student Agreement before beginning their coursework. Students must obtain malpractice insurance prior to beginning their work with clients. Students must be able to attend live practicum classes one Saturday a month during the seven month clinical practicum at a National University campus. Students must attend live internet class sessions in many of the classes. Students will have a choice of attending those sessions one evening a week or on Saturday. Students must have a headset with a microphone that plugs into the USB port on the computer.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

• Establish professional relationships with diverse clients with alcohol and drug abuse and/or dependence issues.
• Demonstrate entry level counseling skills in working with individuals, groups, and families relative to alcohol and drug abuse and/or dependence issues.
• Assess and diagnose clients using DSM IV-TR alcohol and drug abuse and dependence criteria.
• Develop a treatment plan based on a biopsychosocial assessment of the individual’s strengths, weaknesses, problems, and needs.
• Develop case management plans for clients that bring services, agencies, resources, or people together with a planned framework of action.
• Provide client education to individuals, groups, and families on alcohol and drug abuse and dependence.
• Interact with counselors and other professionals in regard to client treatment and services.
• Adhere to established professional codes of ethics and standards of practice.
• Integrate knowledge of cultural diversity into chemically dependent clients’ treatment plans.

Requirements

To receive the degree, students must complete at least 90 quarter units, 31.5 of which must be taken in residence at National University and complete a 255 hour practicum experience working with clients at an approved practicum site. Students are urged to meet English requirements as early as possible in their college career to avoid serious difficulties in other course work. The General Education requirements can be found in the General Education section of this addendum. Refer to the section on undergraduate admission in the university catalog for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.

Recommended as Preparation for the Major
(5 courses; 19.5 quarter units)

ENG 100* Effective College English I (3 quarter units)
   Prerequisite: Satisfactory performance on Accuplacer
ENG 101* Effective College English II (3 quarter units)
   Prerequisite: ENG 100
COM 103* Public Speaking
MTH 204* Mathematics for Science
   Prerequisite: MTH 12A, and MTH 12B
ILR 260* Information Literacy
   Prerequisite: ENG 100, and ENG 101

* May be used to meet a General Education requirement

Prerequisites for the Major
(2 courses; 9 quarter units)

PSY 100* Introduction to Psychology
SOC 100*+ Principles of Sociology
   Prerequisite: ENG 100, and ENG 101

* May be used to meet a General Education requirement
+ Diversity Enriched Offering

Requirements for the Major
(9 courses; 40.5 quarter units)

ADC 205 Intro to Substance Abuse
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100
ADC 215 Physiology of Substance Abuse
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100
ADC 225 Law and Ethics
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100
ADC 235 Case Management
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100
ADC 245 Individual Counseling I
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100, ADC 205
ADC 255 Individual Counseling II
   Prerequisite: ADC 245
ADC 265 Group & Family Counseling
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100
ADC 275 Personal & Professional Growth
   Prerequisites: PSY 100, SOC 100
ADC 285 Practicum in Substance Abuse
   Prerequisites: All courses in the Major

Electives
ADC 295 Guided Study 1.5 - 4.5 quarter units

Program Information

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Online Education

This program is available online.

Related Downloads

• ADC 285 Practicum Agreement
• ADC 285 Intern Evaluation Form
• ADC Student Agreement
• ADC 2012 Flier