Addiction Counseling Studies AS

Cerro Coso IWV campus

What can I do with this?

The Addiction Counseling Studies AS Degree

  • Prepares individuals for counseling in alcohol, drug, and other addictions.
  • Emphasis on public health approach that addresses community, social, and individual-level factors in addiction
  • Provides students with a strong background in treatment modalities, health education and prevention, professional and ethical responsibilities, and client advocacy.

You can use this to:

  • Earn a two-year Associates degree.
  • Enhance career opportunities as a:
    • Human Services Technician
    • Case Worker
    • Family Development Specialist
    • Recovery Specialist
    • Independent Living Specialist

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, the profession of social work is expected to increase more than the average for all other occupations. Job prospects are expected to be favorable, particularly for those who specialize in aging.

What will I learn?

  • Articulate the broad concerns and practices of the addiction counseling field.
  • Describe seven or more traits of an effective helping person including establishing a helping relationship with the client characterized by warmth, respect, genuineness, concreteness, and empathy.
  • Promote client knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the maintenance of good health (as defined by both the client culture and the treatment culture) and the prevention of HIV/ AIDS, TB, STDS, and other communicable diseases.
  • Perform the actions necessary to start a group, including determine group type, purpose, size, and leadership, recruiting and selecting members. Also establish group goals and clarify behavioral ground rules for participating, identifying outcomes, and determining criteria and methods for termination or graduation from the group.
  • Describe the dynamics of crisis intervention.

What courses do I take?

Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.

Complete the following courses

Select 3 units from the following courses

General Ed Requirements

Complete one of the following general education patterns:

Program Pathways

All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online

Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.

See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.

How can I afford it?

This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.

Approximate Total Costs

CA Residents

60.0 units

at $46 per unit

Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies

Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters

Non-residents

60.0 units

at $375 per unit

Equals $22,500 in tuition and fees

Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies

Total cost $26,100 for 4 semesters

*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.

Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.