Specialist in Alcohol & Drug Studies

This program provides academic preparation and field experience for individuals employed, or preparing for employment, as alcohol and drug abuse counselors. To earn a certificate the student must complete the core courses and selected courses from each section as designated. The program is accredited by the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators and designed to meet the certification requirements for both the California Association for Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) and the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) and other state certifying bodies. Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree should meet with an academic and/or transfer counselor to discuss transfer requirements.

Highlights:

• Students have opportunities within the classroom and in facility settings to gain and utilize knowledge and skills.
• Students are allowed to select from a variety of options in many of the content areas for individual interest, ability, and experiential background.
• Employment is available in a variety of public and private agencies, inpatient and outpatient settings, crisis intervention centers, and employee assistance programs.
• Students acquire a broad base of knowledge in the field of chemical dependency and counseling techniques to work with individuals and the chemical-dependent family.
• Transfer credit is available to California State Universities and private universities.
• Students completing the program must demonstrate academic competence, professional growth, maturity, and the ethical standards expected to work within the profession.

Program Requirements

Behavioral Courses: 6 units
Required: Psychology 101
Options: Psychology 104,108,110,115; Social Science 121

Core Curriculum: 9 units
Required: Alcohol/Drug Studies 101,103, 105

Skills Courses: 9 units
Required: Alcohol/Drug Studies 110 & 112
Options: Alcohol/Drug Studies 111,113, 114, 115, 118, 119

Field Experience: 4 units
Required: Alcohol/Drug Studies 150 & 151

Field Placement / Internship: 8 units
Required: Alcohol / Drug Studies 152 & 153

Cultural Diversity: 3 units
Options:  Child Development 156
                English 124,141 & 142
                Ethnic Studies 101, 102, 110, 111, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 132 & 164
                History 111 & 115
                Humanities 101, 102, 105 or 105H, 115, 125 & 135
                Music 128
                Philosophy 113, 114 & 118
                Psychology 111 & 113
                Social Science 127

Note: Individuals working in this field must register with one of the state approved certification organizations. They then have 5 years to complete the certification requirements of the organization with which they are registered. The GCC Alcohol/Drug Studies Certificate exceeds the minimum education and supervised training for registration required by the California State Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Information on certifying organizations is available through the department.

Find out about the Faculty

For more information call:
Benjamin C. Salazar Jr., M.S., M.F.T., P.P.S., C.A.T.C.
Program Director
Alcohol & Drug Studies Department
818-240-1000 x 5513