Addiction Studies Associate in Arts Degree Program

Download PDF / Print Addiction Studies AA Page

Related Degrees & Certificates

Program	Units
CA Certificate of Achievement
Addiction Studies	39 units
CS Certificate of Specialization
Case Management	15 units
Co-Occurring Disorders	15 units

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities in this field include Primary Addiction Counselor/ Supervisor, Case Manager, Program Director, Prevention Educator, Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Counselor, Crisis Intervention Specialist, Incarceration Counselor, and Assessment/Placement Specialist. Other opportunities include working with adolescents, seniors, multicultural populations, and those who have been affected by HIV/ AIDS. Persons who are awarded the certificate may be employed by in-patient and out-patient treatment clinics, transitional housing centers, mental health clinics, job training/placement programs, shelters for various homeless populations, detoxification units, crisis intervention centers, incarceration facilitates, and education/prevention programs in the schools and community. The certificate program conforms to the Proposed Guidelines for Addiction Studies Programs within Higher Education prepared by the Department of Education and meets the accreditation standards set forth by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE).

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

Explain a variety of models and theories of addiction; the social political, economic, and cultural context; risk and resiliency factors; the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances.
Describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and the interdisciplinary approach to addiction treatment.
Demonstrate the use of specific diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care and apply treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.
Demonstrate the professional readiness of the counselor to apply their understanding of diverse cultures into clinical practice, the importance of self-awareness in one’s own personal, professional, and cultural life, adherence to addiction professional’s ethical and behavioral standards of conduct, importance of ongoing supervision and understand procedures for handling crisis or dangerous situations.

University Transfer Program

Use Assist to identify lower division major preparation for Business and Accounting for the California State University and the University of California systems. For independent or out-of-state colleges and universities use their catalogs to locate this information. Transfer Services can assist you to gather this information.

About the Program

The Addiction Studies program prepares students to work with the alcohol and other drug dependent population, and the family and employer of the chemically dependent person. The program addresses community needs for trained alcohol and other drug prevention specialists to work and volunteer in both public and private agencies in the Bay Area.

Persons who are awarded the certificate may be employed by in-patient and out-patient treatment clinics, transitional housing centers, mental health clinics, job training/placement programs, shelters for various homeless populations, detoxification units, crisis intervention centers, incarceration facilitates, and education/prevention programs in the schools and community.

The certificate program conforms to the Proposed Guidelines for Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Programs within Higher Education prepared for the California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs and meets the accreditation standards set forth by the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE).

Meet with a CSM counselor to discuss how to achieve academic goals and to develop a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP).

University Transfer Program
60-70 transferable units

California State University
University of California
Independent Colleges and Universities

Program Overview

The Addiction Studies program prepares students to work with the alcohol and other drug dependent population, and the family and employer of the addicted person. The program addresses community needs for trained substance use prevention and intervention specialists to work and volunteer in both public and private agencies in the Bay Area.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Required Core Courses (Foundation Core Courses): 15 units		Units
ADS 301	Introduction to Addiction Studies	3 units
ADS 302	Pharmacology and Physiological Effects of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse	3 units
ADS 304	Intervention, Treatment and Recovery	3 units
ADS 319	Co-Occurring Disorders I: Recognition and Referral	3 units
ADS 333	Laws and Ethics in Addiction Studies	3 units

Required Core Courses (Skill Building Courses): 15 units		Units
ADS 307	Family Systems in Addiction	3 units
ADS 308	Group AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Counseling Process	3 units
ADS 310	Special Population Groups in Addiction Studies	3 units
ADS 314	Individual AOD (Alcohol and Other Drug) Counseling Process	3 units
ADS 317	Case Management	3 units

Required Core Courses (Field Study Courses): 6 units		Units
ADS 315	Field Studies and Seminar I	3 units
ADS 316	Field Studies and Seminar II	3 units

Required Selective Courses: Select 3 units from the following:		Units
PSYC C1000	Introduction to Psychology	3 units
PSYC 410	Abnormal Psychology	3 units

Additional recommended courses (not required for degree)		Units
ADS 321	Adolescent/Youth Substance Use Prevention, Interventions and Treatment	3 units
ADS 325	Co-Occurring Disorders II: Management and Treatment	3 units

Total Required Major Units: 39

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.