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Pierce College District 11 Catalog, Program listing for 2003–2005

List of changes since catalog printing | Jump to table of contents | Go to list of courses
This information dates from the 2003 - 2005 catalog. Not all information is completely up-to-date. If you have questions, contact us.

Alcoholism & Drug Abuse

Faculty (Fort Steilacoom): Sandy Croswaite
Degrees: Associate in Arts & Sciences
Associate in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
Certificates: Certificate in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
Certificate in Co-Occurring Disorders of Chemical Abuse & Mental Illness (COD)
(formerly MICA)

As addictions are increasingly a part of the picture for clients regardless of their presenting issue for counseling, it is becoming increasingly important that counselors have the knowledge to deal with addiction issues.

The Alcoholism & Drug Abuse program prepares students to work with the problems of alcoholism and chemical dependency by providing the academic portion necessary for state certification as chemical dependency professionals. The State’s current minimum requirements are a two-year degree with 45 credits of addiction course work. The ALCDA program offers two degree options to meet this as well as a certificate for those with existing degrees. Combining the AAS degree with a certificate in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or other human service area enhances the student’s ability to work in both the chemical dependency field and the bachelor’s degree emphasis field, increasing employability and providing more career options. One area of increasing concern and demand for specialized training is the co-occurring disorders of chemical abuse and mental illness (COD) client. (See Co-Occurring Disorders of Chemical Abuse and Mental Illness (COD) certificate.)

The Alcoholism & Drug Abuse program is designed to meet the needs of those already working within the field, those preparing to enter, and those already enrolled in criminal justice, social service-mental health, and other related fields. Individuals who seek a better understanding of the nature and scope of the problem of chemical dependency, the effects on the body and on family members, treatment techniques and programs, and other information are encouraged to enroll.

Employment in the field has experienced great growth in recent years. Jobs are available for counselors specializing in in-patient and outpatient chemical dependency, family, ACOA, co-dependency, eating disorder and COD (Co-Occurring Disorders of Chemical Abuse and Mental Illness) counseling and in mental health, probation, prevention, youth, school and employee/student assistance programs.

List of all Alcholism & Drug Abuse (ALCDA) courses

See Catalog pg. 28

Associate in Arts & Sciences & Certificate in Alcholism & Drug Abuse

Students seeking an AAS degree must complete all courses required for the Certificate in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, plus the additional courses required for the AAS degree. See AAS degree brochure for complete information.

Alcohol/Drug Core Requirements (33 credits)

Communications (10 credits)

Humanities (15 credits)

15 credits from 3 disciplines, no more than 5 in performance/skills courses

Natural Science (15 creduts)

15 credits from 3 disciplines, at least one lab course

Social Science (15 credits)

15 credits from 3 disciplines

Quantitative Skills (5 credits required)

Required Electives (15 credits required)

Total Credits Required 108
*Courses must satisfy general education requirements (GERs) for AAS degree (see AAS degree requirements)

Associate in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse

Core Requirements (54 credits)

General Requirements (43-45 credits)

Recommended Electives (6 credits)

Total Credits Required 103-105

Certificate in Alcoholism & Drug Abuse

In addition to the required 44 credits, students must provide an official transcript from an accredited institution documenting completion of:
(a) a two-year associate degree or higher, or (b) 90 college-level credits (ALCDA Certificate credits may be included in the 90).

Total Credits Required 44

Certificate In Co-Occuring Disorders Of Chemical Abuse And Mental Illness (COD)

The addictions, criminal justice and mental health fields are seeing an increasing number of clients presenting with the problems of both mental illness and chemical abuse/dependence. The treatment approaches of either the addiction or mental health fields by themselves have proven inadequate for treating these individuals, who require a combined approach from both fields as well as techniques unique to this population of clients.

The COD Counseling Certificate will provide someone the ability to gain the needed skills to effectively provide treatment and assessment for COD clients; additional State required credentials in either mental health/psychology or chemical dependency counseling may be required to work in certain treatment facilities. This certificate will also help anyone wanting to gain knowledge of this client population to better understand the issues and treatment requirements unique to these individuals.

This certificate is designed to meet the needs of those already working within the counseling fields and/or those already enrolled in programs or holding degrees in criminal justice, social work, chemical dependency, psychology and other related fields. Individuals who seek a better understanding of the nature and scope of the problems and issues surrounding COD clients, assessment and treatment techniques, medications and other information are also encouraged to enroll. This certificate may be particularly useful to those planning to work within the addiction field, correctional system (see Correctional Mental Health), or mental health field (see Social Service/Mental Health).

The AAS degree with COD certificate option is intended for those who plan to transfer for a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work or other human service major.

Program Prerequisites

Total Credits Required 39

Certificate In Co-Occuring Disorders Of Chemical Abuse And Mental Illness (COD)
with AAS option

Alcohol/Drug Core Requirements (32 credits)

Communications (10 credits)

Humanities (15 credits)

15 credits from 3 disciplines, no more than 5 in performance/skills courses

Natural Science (15 credits)

15 credits from 3 disciplines, at least one lab course

Social Science (15 credits)

15 credits from 3 disciplines)

Quantitative Skills (5 credits)

Required Electives (15 credits)

Total Credits Required 107
*Courses must satisfy general education requirements (GERs) for AAS degree (see AAS degree information).