Chemical Dependency Specialist

AAS-T, Certificate

The Chemical Dependency Specialist Program is a non-sequential certificate program designed to prepare students for a career as a specialist in the field of chemical dependency. The program includes an integrated curriculum approach of classroom instruction and field-based clinical experience. Students will acquire competencies in the areas of interviewing, group dynamics, case management, physiology of chemical dependency, pharmacology related to chemical dependency, the impact of chemical dependency on family members, and specific counseling interventions for working with chemical dependent clients. Washington State law requires completion of specific credits in chemical dependency, plus an HIV/AIDS course (SHS 150) to practice as a chemical dependency counselor. Additional course work is designed to further enhance student skills and employability. Courses meet the State of Washington Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and the Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification Board requirements for chemical dependency qualification. Students may enter the program fall, winter or spring quarters. Courses are offered day and evening. Completion of the certificate takes approximately four-five quarters.

Career Opportunities

Students successfully completing this program will be eligible to practice in direct service positions in licensed chemical dependency facilities in the State of Washington. Opportunities exist in outpatient, intensive outpatient, residential, institutional, detoxification and treatment facilities.

Professional careers in chemical dependency also include opportunities in community education, public schools, corrections, and other public facilities.

Entrance Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED equivalent in the U.S.

  • Test requirements: Writing and reading comprehension components of the college admissions test (must be eligible for ENG 101) and the math placement test (must be eligible for MAT 084).
  • Entrance into chemical dependency specialist courses is on a first-come, first-served basis after prerequisite testing has been completed.

    • How To Get Started

    • Complete the Standard Procedure for Admission to the College

    • After matriculation by Admissions, call 206 587-4186 for an appointment/interview with the division counselor to determine eligibility to enter the program. Bring a copy of your test results and college transcripts with you when you meet with the counselor.
      Counselor: Kimberly McRae, KMcRae@sccd.ctc.edu
    Once admission requirements have been met, students are accepted into the program on a first-come, first-served basis until maximum enrollment is reached.

    Estimated Training Costs

    Curriculum

    Core CoursesCr
    SHS 106 PRINCIPLES OF INTERVIEWING AND COUNSELING 5
    Intro to interviewing and basic counseling skills. Exploration of personal values, motivations, biases and needs. Development of beginning-level counseling skills and awareness of unique qualities each brings into the helping profession. Foundation for advanced counseling courses.
    SHS 108 * GROUP DYNAMICS & COUNSELING 5
    Intro to group work, including group processes, communication patterns, group and individual goal-setting, leadership and decision-making. Includes group participation, role-playing and simulations.
    Technical Specialty Courses (31-35 Credits)Cr
    SHS 150 * HIV/AIDS WORKSHOP 1
    Meets requirements for Social and Human Services professionals in the Meets requirements for social and human service professionals in the ffields of counseling, alcholism and/or substance abuse. Includes ields of counseling, alcoholism and/or substance abuse. Includes topictopics on etiology and epidemiology of HIV, transmission and infections on etiology and epidemiology of HIV, transmission and infection contcontrol; testing and counseling; clinical manifestations and treatmentrol, testing and counseling, clinical manifestations and treatment, anand psychosocial issues. Approved by the Washington State Division d psychosocial issues. Approved by the Washington State Division of Alof Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. coholism and Substance Abuse.
    SHS 210 * MULTICULTURAL COUNSELING 3
    Covers effective counseling approaches which take into account client differences in culture, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities and ethnicity. Learn to interview client group representatives and assess community resources.
    SHS 215 * ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT AND TREATMENT 5
    Focuses on adolescent development and concurrent social, cultural and sexual problems. Includes theory of normal and deviant behavior development, treatment theory and practice, and effective use of community resources.
    SHS 231 * PHYSIOLOGY ALCOHOLISM 3
    Studies effects of chemical dependency on the body, including basic biochemical action, organ/system effects, poly drug interactions and physiological management of the disease.
    SHS 232 * CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AND THE FAMILY 3
    Examines chemical dependency problems in the family, including family roles and dynamics, adult children of alcoholics, interventions and family work as focus of treatment.
    SHS 233 * CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY COUNSELING 5
    Provides an overview of specialized recovery techniques, including individual, group and family approaches.
    SHS 235 * INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 5
    Surveys use and abuse of legal and illegal drugs. Analyzes patterns of dependency and addiction associated with prescription, over-the-counter, and illegal substances. Explores methods of prevention, control and treatment.
    SHS 270 * LAW AND ETHICS IN CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 3
    Studies the role of law and professional ethical standards in the delivery of chemical dependency services. Covers theoretical and practical applications using Washington Administrative Code requirements as case examples.
    SHS 280 * CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY CASE MANAGEMENT 3
    Emphasis on oral and written communication skills. Formulate up-to-date, accurate and understandable case files and records. Become familiar with federal and state confidentiality regulations in handling chemical dependent client records. Formulate concise treatment plans in accordance with legal requirements.
    SHS 296 ** HUMAN SERVICES WORKSHOP 1
    Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
    SHS 297 HUMAN SERVICES WORKSHOP 2
    Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
    SHS 298 HUMAN SERVICES WORKSHOP 3
    Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
    Field Placement Courses (10 Credits)Cr
    CDS 197 FIELD PLACEMENT: CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 5
    CDS 198 FIELD PLACEMENT: CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 5
    CDS 199 FIELD PLACEMENT: CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY 5
    Related Instruction (15 Credits)Cr
    ENGL&101 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 5
    (Formerly ENG 101) Intro to the writing process. Writing assignments focus on non-fiction prose, with subject matter drawn from firsthand experience and observation.
    PSYC&100 * GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY 5
    (Formerly PSY 110) Intro to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning and thinking, development, perception, motivation, emotion, personality and individual differences, social and abnormal behavior, and research methods.
    PSYC&200 * OR LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY 5
    (Formerly PSY 206 [150](–) Developmental Psychology) Survey of human physical, psychological, and social development from conception through death. Emphasis on major developmental theories, research and research methods of studying life-span development.
    PSYC 207 * DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY 5

    * These courses meet current minimum state requirements for registration as chemical dependency counselors with the Department of Health. In addition, an associate degree or its academic equivalent in any area, and 2,000 clock hours of supervised clinical work are required to become a fully state-qualified chemical dependency counselor.

    ** Multicultural Counseling, Adolescent Treatment, as well as Relapse Prevention, can be taken as a SHS 296 Human Services workshop

    Total Program Credits: 66-71

    Note: In order to complete the certificate, a 2.0 grade or above is required in all courses.

    For Further Information:

    Chemical Dependency Specialist Program
    Seattle Central Community College
    1701 Broadway, Room 2BE3212A
    Seattle, WA 98122
    PHONE: 206) 587-6900
    FAX: (206) 344-4390

    Program Contact:
     hssrequests@sccd.ctc.edu 206.587.4165