All provisions within this catalog are subject to change without notice. If you have questions or comments, please contact admissions@gfcmsu.edu.
Substance Abuse & Addictions Counseling
Associate of Arts
Contact: Dr. Elfie Neber
This program is offered in a hybrid format - discuss options with your advisor.
The Substance Abuse & Addictions Counseling AA prepares individuals for careers in the addictions field. The program is designed to develop the student's skills to provide therapeutic services for people dealing with substance abuse, and with an emphasis on helping them maintain recovery and prevent relapse. Graduates will be prepared for entry into the drug and alcohol counseling profession. By pursuing this emphasis, students complete both a general Associate of Arts degree and the preparatory coursework required to become a licensed addictions counselor. It also allows for transfer to a variety of baccalaureate programs.
Graduates are prepared to:
- Demonstrate entry level skill set needed to perform the duties of a licensed addictions counselor candidate and pass the licensing exam.
- Describe the interaction between mental health and addiction and the scope of practice for an addictions counselor.
- Practice under the NAADAC code of ethics and understand the legal, ethical and professional issues facing addictions counselors.
- Incorporate knowledge about cultural and socioeconomic factors and how they impact the treatment and recovery process in their practice as addictions counselors.
- Identify treatment and recovery resources in the community and understand how to use these resources to support clients in their recovery.
Estimated Resident Program Cost*
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $8,056 |
| Lab/Course Fees | $35 |
| Books/Supplies | $2,373 |
| Total | $10,464 |
- *
Fall 2024 MUS Student Health Insurance Premiums may be changing. Please check the Health Insurance website and/or Student Central for confirmed premium rates.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOH 112 | Human Form and Function I + | 4 |
| CAPP 131 | Basic MS Office + | 3 |
| PSYX 100 | Introduction to Psychology + | 3 |
| PSYX 150 | Drugs and Society + | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| WRIT 101 | College Writing I **,+ | 3 |
| WRIT 121 | Introduction to Technical Writing **,+ | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CAS 140 | Addictions and Diversity (N) + | 3 |
| CAS 242 | Fundamentals of Substance Abuse and Addiction *,+ | 3 |
| CAS 252 | Gambling and Game Disorders in Substance Abuse Counseling *,+ | 2 |
| CAS 279 | Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Substance Abuse Counseling *,+ | 2 |
| COMX 115 | Introduction to Interpersonal Communication + | 3 |
| Choose one of the Following: | ||
| M 105 | Contemporary Mathematics **, + | 3 |
| STAT 216 | Introduction to Statistics **, + | 4 |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CAS 231 | Pharmacology/Addictions *,+ | 3 |
| CAS 243 | Substance Abuse Counseling I *,+ | 3 |
| CAS 254 | Co-Occurring Disorders-Assessment &Treatment Planning *,+ | 2 |
| CAS 264 | Fundamentals of Group Dynamics for Substance Abuse Counselors *,+ | 3 |
| PSYX 240 | Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology *,+ | 3 |
| Any Fine Arts or Humanities Core Class + | 3 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CAS 248 | Substance Abuse Counseling II *,+ | 3 |
| CAS 250 | Assessment and Case Management Processes *,+ | 4 |
| CAS 260 | Addiction Assessment/Documentation *,+ | 3 |
| CAS 295 | Field Work/Clinical/Practicum *,+ | 1 |
| Any Fine Arts or Humanities Core Class + | 3 | |
| Any Natural Science w/lab Core Class + | 4 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 67-68 | |
- +
A grade of C- or above is required for graduation.
- *
Indicates prerequisites needed.
- **
Placement in course(s) is determined by placement assessment.