Faculty:
Michelle Hill, M.S.
The Addictions Counseling Associate of Arts Degree emphasizes a solid knowledge base in the area of addiction studies. Growth in self-awareness and therapeutic skills leads to professional and ethical practice. Although the field of addiction is broad, covering psychoactive substance use, abuse and dependency, gambling, eating disorders, relationships, sexual and a variety of other behaviors, the program emphasizes treatment and intervention for those with chemical and/or gambling use or abuse issues. The degree is structured to meet Montana state licensure requirements with the completion of the following after the degree is completed:
- 1,000 hours of supervised chemical dependency counseling experience in a chemical dependency treatment program.
- The state addictions counseling competency examination. The program is designed to prepare students for treating those with addictions and for passing the Montana state examination.
The program is designed to prepare students for treating those with addictions and for passing the Montana state examination.
Students completing this degree may want to pursue a dual major with psychology because a dual major with psychology and addictions counseling can be completed within 120 credits.
Addictions Counseling Program Outcomes
- Understand, evaluate and apply theoretical concepts and empirical findings relevant to substance-related/use counseling and co-occurring disorders.
- Learn how to accurately assess, decisively intervene, and effectively treat clients and their families where a substance-related use/disorder is involved.
- Create treatment plans, manage services and document a comprehensive treatment process for individuals and families including those where a co-occurring disorder may be involved.
- Apply critical and creative thinking skills in solving problems related to the addictive process and its effect on individuals, families and society.
- Recognize, evaluate and relate professional and ethical principles of addictions counseling to issues and cases within the field.
Degree Requirements
Addictions Counseling (A.A.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ADC 145 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING I | 3 |
| ADC 147 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING II | 3 |
| ADC 261 | ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL | 4 |
| ADC 264 | RECORD DOCUMENTATION | 2 |
| ADC 374 | ETH ISS & MLTCL COMP FOR ADC | 2 |
| ADC 380 | GAMBLING | 2 |
| ADC 446 | PSY, SOC & PHARM OF DRUG USE | 4 |
| ADC 450 | CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS IN ADC | 2 |
| PSY 200 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSY 241 | THEORIES OF HELPING | 3 |
| PSY 340 | HELPING SKILLS | 3 |
| PSY 352 | ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSY 498 | GROUP THEORIES AND PROCESS | 3 |
| Total Credits Required: | 37 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Required Courses, State of Washington | ||
| PSY 212 | DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| PSY 394 | CASEWORK METHODS & PRACTICES | 3 |
Addictions Counseling Minor
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ADC 145 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING I | 3 |
| ADC 147 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING II | 3 |
| ADC 261 | ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL | 4 |
| ADC 264 | RECORD DOCUMENTATION | 2 |
| ADC 374 | ETH ISS & MLTCL COMP FOR ADC | 2 |
| ADC 380 | GAMBLING | 2 |
| ADC 446 | PSY, SOC & PHARM OF DRUG USE | 4 |
| ADC 450 | CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS IN ADC | 2 |
| Total Credits Required: | 22 | |
Addictions Counseling Certificate
(Students must have an existing Bachelor’s Degree to enroll in the certificate program)
In addition to certificate completion, students will need to complete two additional steps to meet state of Montana licensure requirements:
- Students must complete 1,000 hours of supervised chemical dependency counseling experience in a chemical dependency treatment program.
- Students must take and pass a competency examination. The certificate program is designed to prepare students for passing the state examination
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| XADC 145 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING I | 3 |
| XADC 147 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING II | 3 |
| XADC 261 | ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL | 4 |
| XADC 264 | RECORD DOCUMENTATION | 2 |
| XADC 374 | ETH ISS & MLTCL COMP FOR ADC | 2 |
| XADC 380 | GAMBLING | 2 |
| XADC 446 | PSY, SOC & PHARM OF DRUG USE | 4 |
| XADC 450 | CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS IN ADC | 2 |
| XPSY 200 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| XPSY 201 | PERSONALITY THEORY | 3 |
| XPSY 212 | DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| XPSY 241 | INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING | 3 |
| XPSY 340 | HELPING SKILLS | 3 |
| XPSY 352 | ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| XPSY 394 | CASEWORK METHODS & PRACTICES | 3 |
| XPSY 498 | GROUP COUNSELING | 3 |
| Total Credits Required: | 46 | |
**Please see the corresponding course descriptions for PSY and ADC courses.**
Students with transfer coursework from an accredited college or university may have their transcripts evaluated to see if they have met any of the certificate requirements with prior collegiate coursework. Students with Bachelor’s Degrees in areas such as psychology, sociology, social work, counseling or a related field will likely have completed some work toward the certificate program; therefore reducing the total number of courses they will need to complete.
Master of Science in Counseling (MSC) students currently enrolled in the University program may substitute some of their MSC courses into the certificate program. The certificate program for graduate level students will consist of the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| XADC 145 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING I | 3 |
| XADC 147 | ADDICTION THEORY & CNSELING II | 3 |
| XADC 261 | ASSESSMENT AND APPRAISAL | 4 |
| XADC 264 | RECORD DOCUMENTATION | 2 |
| XADC 374 | ETH ISS & MLTCL COMP FOR ADC | 2 |
| XADC 380 | GAMBLING | 2 |
| XADC 446 | PSY, SOC & PHARM OF DRUG USE | 4 |
| XADC 450 | CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS IN ADC | 2 |
| MSC 508 | PSYCHOPATHOLOGY | 3 |
| MSC 512 | THEORIES OF COUNSELING | 3 |
| MSC 517 | TECHNIQUES OF COUNSELING | 3 |
| MSC 607 | GROUP COUNSELING | 3 |
| MSC 529 | DEVELOPMNT ACROSS THE LIFESPAN | 3 |
| MSC 606 | MULTICULTURAL COMPETENCE | 3 |
| Total Credits Required: | 40 | |
Graduate students enrolling in the certificate program should be aware that this program is not eligible for Federal Financial Aid. They should also convey their intent to complete the certificate to their Program Coordinator in order to obtain necessary coursework that is not part of their regular program.