Frequently asked questions for students interested in becoming a chemical dependency counselor in Washington State.
Q. I want to be an alcohol and chemical dependency counselor and have never attended college. What will I need to do?
A. The first step is to complete the college admissions process, take an assessment to determine your math and English skills and schedule an appointment with a curriculum or faculty advisor.
Q. How long will it take to complete the necessary coursework for the AAS Degree?
A. This degree requires 90-quarter hours of coursework. If you attend school full-time and take an average of fifteen credits per quarter, most students will be able to complete this degree in two years.
Q. Why do I need to complete an Associate degree rather than the Certificate that SCCC offers?
A. The State of Washington requires that applicants for the Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) credential must have at least an Associate degree. Furthermore an applicant for the CDP credential must also have at least 45 credits of coursework specifically related to chemical dependency counseling. Our AAS degree in Social and Human Services is designed to satisfy both of these requirements.
Q. Will I be able to transfer credits earned in pursuit of the Associate of Applied Science degree to another college or university?
A. Each college or university makes their own rules regarding what courses they will accept and apply towards a particular degree that they offer. Some colleges and universities will accept all of your AAS credits. If you plan to transfer to another university or college it is best to contact them directly about what courses within our programs they will accept. The program faculty and Academic Advisors on campus can also help you evaluate this.
Q. If I have little or no previous college work and choose to complete the coursework for the Certificate first can I later apply those credits towards the AAS degree in SHS?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I use previously earned college credits to satisfy the course requirements for either the degree or the certificate?
A. Perhaps. We can't answer that question before reviewing your college transcripts. An unofficial copy will be adequate for a preliminary assessment. In order to apply credits earned elsewhere towards any SCCC degree or certificate an official transcript from other colleges must be received by the SCCC registrar's office and officially evaluated. Please consult with your faculty advisor regarding details.
Q. I already have an associate degree; do I still need to complete the AAS degree requirements?
A. No, but if your degree did not include 45 credits of coursework specifically related to CD Counseling you will probably be advised to complete the coursework requirements for the CD Counseling Certificate only. Some previously earned credits may apply to this certificate and to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requirements. Please consult with your faculty advisor on this matter.
Q. Will an Associate Degree other than an Associate Degree in Chemical Dependency satisfy the Washington State Department of Health minimum degree requirement for the CDP credential?
A. Yes, but possession of an Associate degree (or higher degree) is only one of a number of requirements that must be satisfied. If your degree did not include a minimum of 45 credits of coursework specifically related to ACD counseling, additional coursework will be necessary to fulfill DOH requirements. The Chemical Dependency Specialist Certificate was specifically designed for this purpose.
Q. I already have a Bachelors degree in Human Services (or Social Work). Will any of the credits I earned previously apply to the SCCC Certificate?
A. Probably. But we can't answer that question definitively before reviewing your college transcripts. An unofficial copy will be adequate for a preliminary assessment. Please consult with your faculty advisor.
Q. If SCCC accepts credits earned previously at another College for the Certificate or Degree will DOH also accept them as satisfying their requirements?
A. Perhaps, but we cannot guarantee this. The Department of Health will make that determination after you submit your application for the CDP credential. If you have questions about this contact them directly (360) 236-4902.
Q. If I already have a Bachelors degree in Human Services (or Social Work) will any of the credits I earned previously apply to the Department of Health requirements?
A. Perhaps, but we cannot guarantee this. The DOH will make that determination after you submit your application for the CDP credential. If you have questions about this review their website or call them directly. (360) 236- 4902.
https://wws2.wa.gov/doh/hpqa-licensing/hps7/Chemical_Dependency/default.htm
Q. Are there additional requirements for CDP applicants besides academic ones?
A. Yes. All applicants for this credential must have a certain number of hours of supervised clinical experience working with CD clients. The number of hours required depends on the level of your highest academic degree. You must also submit an evaluation of your competence to practice.
You must also sit for and pass an examination administered by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors www.naadac.org
For complete details about requirements please contact the Washington State Department of Health, Division of Professional Licensing in Olympia. https://wws2.wa.gov/doh/hpqa-licensing/hps7/Chemical_Dependency/default.htm
Q. Is it possible to obtain a paid position working with clients in the CD field prior to satisfying all of the requirements for the AAS degree or Certificate?
A. Yes, currently there is a shortage of ACD counselors in the NW and some students are offered paid employment before completing all the coursework and obtaining their CDP credentials. This situation may change.
Q. Can I work as a "Chemical Dependency Professional" (CDP) after completing either the AAS or Certificate program?
A. Perhaps, but probably not. Washington State law restricts the use of the title "Chemical Dependency Professional". Only people who have satisfied all the Department of Health requirements and who have been issued this credential can call themselves a "Chemical Dependency Professional." This does not mean that there are no employment opportunities for people in the CD or human services fields that do not have this credential. (See below)
Q. Is it possible to obtain a paid position in the CD field prior to satisfying all the DOH requirements?
A. Yes.
Q. What chemical dependency-related jobs will I be qualified for after completing my degree but prior to satisfying all the requirements for the CDP credential?
A. There are a variety of positions available in the CD treatment and prevention programs that do not require possession of the CDP credential.
Q. Does the College or the Social Human Services Department provide assistance in finding a job in the field?
A. Yes.
Q. What kind of money can I expect to earn in this field?
A. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors similar to those affecting salaries in the other helping professions. Among the most important factors is your level of educational attainment (Associate degree, Bachelors degree, Masters degree, etc.) and experience. A survey conducted by the Northwest Frontier Addiction Technology Transfer Center (1999) reports that counselors in Washington State with two year degrees earn $24,190 annually. And many earn substantially more (The mean income was $27,469 per year).
Q. Is this true that it is difficult to get a job if you are not a recovering person yourself?
A. While this may have been somewhat true ten years ago, this is no longer the rule. Although some providers may prefer to hire people with a history of abuse and recovery they could be accused of violating anti-discrimination laws if they ruled out all applicants except people with a recovery history.
Q. Will I be employable in other areas of the social and human services field other than chemical dependency with an AAS degree with a specialization in Chemical Dependency?
A. A qualified yes. Many factors will influence the range of opportunities for employment within Human Services but outside the specialized field of Chemical Dependency. Alcohol and substance abuse, both occasional and chronic, is so widespread that many community agencies and businesses have come to value the presence on their staff of a person with specialized knowledge and skills in this area. Much of the knowledge and many of the skills required to perform the duties of a CD counselor are commonly required of other human service works serving a wide array of clients.
Completion of the Social and Human Services Program qualifies a student for employment in the areas of alcoholism and drug abuse treatment, corrections, mental health, aging, developmental disabilities, child welfare and delinquency, and rehabilitation. Students interested in advanced professional training in the fields of social work, clinical psychology, guidance counseling, psychiatry and rehabilitation counseling will also find the program to be an appropriate beginning point for their professional education.
