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.
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
5 cr.
Computational Skills (3 credits required)
Human Relations (3 credits required)
PSYC&100
5 cr.
Major Area Requirements
ACED 101
3 cr.
ACED 122
3 cr.
ACED 125
3 cr.
ACED 132
3 cr.
ACED 136
3 cr.
ACED 137
3 cr.
ACED 138
3 cr.
ACED 160
3 cr.
ACED 164
3 cr.
ACED 170
2 cr.
ACED 201
3 cr.
ACED 202
3 cr.
ACED 203
3 cr.
ACED 205
3 cr.
PSYC&200
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.
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)
Summer Quarter (Optional)
ACED 132
3 cr.
ACED 136
3 cr.
ACED 170
2 cr.
General Education Requirements
Communication Skills (6 credits required)
ENGL&101
5 cr.
Health & Physical Education (3 credits required)
Computational Skills (3 credits required)
Human Relations (3 credits required)
PSYC&100
5 cr.
Humanities (3 credits required)
Social Sciences (3 credits required)
PSYC&200
5 cr.
Natural Sciences (3 credits required)
Major Area Requirements
ACED 101
3 cr.
ACED 122
3 cr.
ACED 125
3 cr.
ACED 132
3 cr.
ACED 136
3 cr.
ACED 137
3 cr.
ACED 138
3 cr.
ACED 160
3 cr.
ACED 164
3 cr.
ACED 170
2 cr.
ACED 201
3 cr.
ACED 202
3 cr.
ACED 203
3 cr.
ACED 205
3 cr.
ACED 210
6 cr.
and ACED 211
6 cr.
Additional Major Area Electives
ENGL&102
5 cr.
or ENGL&235
5 cr.
or ENGL 109
5 cr.
HDEV coursework
4 cr.
Total Required Credits: 90
*For non-majors also.
**May count for both Human Relations and Social Science distribution.
**May count for both Human Relations and Social Science distribution.
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.
Addiction Counselor Education (AA)
Students who earn Clark College's Associate in Arts degree qualify to transfer to most Washington colleges and universities with junior standing. Lower-division course requirements will vary depending on the transfer institution. Contact an advisor at the transfer institution to determine required coursework as soon as possible.
General Education Requirements
Communication Skills (10 credits required)
ENGL&101
5 cr.
Quantitative Skills (5 credits required)
Health & Physical Education (3 credits required)
Oral Communication (5 credits required)
Humanities (15 credits required)
Social Sciences (15 credits required)
PSYC&100
5 cr.
10 Additional credits from two other departments.
Natural Sciences (15 credits required)
Must include a lab science
Specified Electives
ACED 101
3 cr.
PSYC&200
5 cr.
Additional Specified Electives
4 cr.
Major Area Requirements
ACED 122
3 cr.
ACED 125
3 cr.
ACED 136
3 cr.
ACED 160
3 cr.
ACED 201
3 cr.
Total Required Credits: 90
* For non-majors also.
Refer to the Degree and Certificate Requirements section in the Clark College Catalog to identify the courses needed to satisfy the general education requirements.
Refer to the Degree and Certificate Requirements section in the Clark College Catalog to identify the courses needed to satisfy the general education requirements.
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 Dependancy Professional exam.
General Education Outcomes
- Information Literacy: Obtain, evaluate, and ethically use information.
- Communications: Communicate with various audiences using a variety of methods.
- Quantitative: Perform mathematical calculations without the aid of a calculator and solve quantitative problems and interpret the solutions.
- Health & Physical Education: Demonstrate progress toward healthier behaviors.
- Humanities: Analyze, interpret, and evaluate works and ideas in the Humanities within appropriate global and historical contexts.
- Social Science: Evaluate, analyze and explain events, behaviors, and institutions using perspectives and methods in the Social Sciences.
- Power, Privilege, and Inequality: Analyze patterns of power, privilege and inequality.
- Natural Science: Apply fundamental principles and relationships from the Natural Sciences to solve problems, and evaluate claims about the natural world using scientific methodology.