Addiction Counselor Education
Addiction counselors work with families and individuals of all ages who are experiencing problems with addictive behaviors. Counselors may work as members of treatment teams in inpatient or outpatient settings, with schools, or in businesses. They provide group, individual, and couples therapy as well as assessments and interventions. Addiction counselors also work as liaisons for their clients to judicial systems, schools, state services, and communities. Counselors may serve as educators in their communities, acquainting community members with treatment options and prevention strategies for the community. Please contact the Addiction Counselor Education Department (ACED) program advisor for current Washington state certification requirements.

Students must complete all specifically listed courses and Major Area Requirements with a minimum grade of "C" or better in order to successfully complete the program and be awarded the award.

Refer to the Degree & Certificate Requirements Section of the Clark College Catalog to identify the courses needed to satisfy the General Education Requirements.
Addiction Counselor Education (CP)
The Certificate of Proficiency in Addiction Counselor Education equips members of the helping professions as well as other professions with knowledge of the addiction disorders and behaviors in order to assist them in the delivery of services to their clients and patients. Knowledge of addictive processes can greatly assist members of law enforcement, teachers, health care workers, corrections and social services workers, among others, in performing their jobs in a more comprehensive manner. This certificate is intended only for those students already holding an associate degree or above.
General Education Requirements
Communication Skills (3 credits required)
ENGL&101
ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
5 cr.
Computational Skills (3 credits required)
 
Human Relations (3 credits required)
PSYC&100
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
5 cr.
Major Area Requirements
ACED 101
SURVEY OF ADDICTIONOLOGY *
3 cr.
ACED 122
INTRODUCTION TO ADDICTIONS COUNSELING SKILLS
3 cr.
ACED 125
GROUP COUNSELING IN ADDICTIONS
3 cr.
ACED 132
INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING FAMILY MEMBERS
3 cr.
ACED 136
LAW AND ETHICS IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
3 cr.
ACED 137
ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL ILLNESS
3 cr.
ACED 138
PREVENTION AND EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY
3 cr.
ACED 160
PHARMACOLOGY OF DRUGS OF ABUSE
3 cr.
ACED 164
ADOLESCENT ADDICTION ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT
3 cr.
ACED 170
AIR- AND BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS
2 cr.
ACED 201
THEORIES OF COUNSELING
3 cr.
ACED 202
MULTI-CULTURAL ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
3 cr.
ACED 203
CASE MANAGEMENT IN ADDICTION MEDICINE
3 cr.
ACED 205
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR ADDICTION COUNSEL
3 cr.
PSYC&200
LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY
5 cr.
Total Required Credits: 57
*For non-majors also.

To learn more about this program's employment outlook, approximate cost and potential careers, please visit the Gainful Employment Program Information page.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes are overarching skills that are emphasized and reinforced throughout several courses in a specific program; they are measurable statements that define what students should be able to do by the end of a certificate or degree at Clark College.
  • Treat substance abuse clients in multiple settings including individual and group counseling situations.
  • Understand and participate in addiction placement, continuing care, and discharge of patients and clients with addictions.
  • Communicate effectively, accurately, and professionally, using verbal, non-verbal, and written language with diverse populations of clients, patients, colleagues, the public, and other healthcare providers.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors when working with clients, patients, other professionals, and the public.
  • Successfully complete the Washington State Chemical Dependency Professional exam.
General Education Outcomes
  • Communications: Communicate with various audiences using a variety of methods as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Human Relations: Demonstrate interpersonal/human relations skills as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Computational Skills: Solve quantitative problems and interpret the solutions as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
Addiction Counselor Education (AAS)
General Education Requirements
Communication Skills (6 credits required)
ENGL&101
ENGLISH COMPOSITION I
5 cr.
Health & Physical Education (3 credits required)
 
Computational Skills (3 credits required)
 
Human Relations (3 credits required)
PSYC&100
GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY
5 cr.
Humanities (3 credits required)
 
Social Sciences (3 credits required)
PSYC&200
LIFESPAN PSYCHOLOGY
5 cr.
Natural Sciences (3 credits required)
 
Major Area Requirements
ACED 101
SURVEY OF ADDICTIONOLOGY *
3 cr.
ACED 122
INTRODUCTION TO ADDICTIONS COUNSELING SKILLS
3 cr.
ACED 125
GROUP COUNSELING IN ADDICTIONS
3 cr.
ACED 132
INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING FAMILY MEMBERS
3 cr.
ACED 136
LAW AND ETHICS IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
3 cr.
ACED 137
ADDICTIONS AND MENTAL ILLNESS
3 cr.
ACED 138
PREVENTION AND EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY
3 cr.
ACED 160
PHARMACOLOGY OF DRUGS OF ABUSE
3 cr.
ACED 164
ADOLESCENT ADDICTION ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT
3 cr.
ACED 170
AIR- AND BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS
2 cr.
ACED 201
THEORIES OF COUNSELING *
3 cr.
ACED 202
MULTI-CULTURAL ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
3 cr.
ACED 203
CASE MANAGEMENT IN ADDICTION MEDICINE
3 cr.
ACED 205
ADVANCED TECHNIQUES FOR ADDICTION COUNSEL
3 cr.
ACED 210
FIELD PLACEMENT I
6 cr.
or ACED 211
FIELD PLACEMENT II
6 cr.
Summer Quarter (Optional)
ACED 132
INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELING FAMILY MEMBERS
3 cr.
ACED 136
LAW AND ETHICS IN ADDICTIONS COUNSELING
3 cr.
ACED 170
AIR- AND BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGENS
2 cr.
Total Required Credits: 90-93
*For non-majors also.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes are overarching skills that are emphasized and reinforced throughout several courses in a specific program; they are measurable statements that define what students should be able to do by the end of a certificate or degree at Clark College.
  • Treat substance abuse clients in multiple settings including individual and group counseling situations.
  • Understand and participate in addiction placement, continuing care, and discharge of patients and clients with addictions.
  • Communicate effectively, accurately, and professionally, using verbal, non-verbal, and written language with diverse populations of clients, patients, colleagues, the public, and other healthcare providers.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors when working with clients, patients, other professionals, and the public.
  • Successfully complete the Washington State Chemical Dependency Professional exam.
General Education Outcomes
  • Communications: Communicate with various audiences using a variety of methods as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Human Relations: Demonstrate interpersonal/human relations skills as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Computational Skills: Solve quantitative problems and interpret the solutions as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Health and PE: Demonstrate progress toward healthier behaviors as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Humanities: Analyze, interpret, and evaluate works and ideas in the Humanities within appropriate global and historical contexts as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Social Science: Evaluate, analyze, and explain events, behaviors, and institutions using perspectives and methods in the Social Sciences as appropriate for a career and technical education program.
  • Science: Apply fundamental principles and relationships from the Natural Sciences to solve problems as appropriate for a career and technical education program.