Substance Abuse Counseling

  What is Substance Abuse Counseling?

The bachelor degree program in substance abuse counseling is designed for students who are interested in careers in the chemical dependency treatment areas of counseling and prevention. Students are prepared through a program grounded in current research and proven practice in the field of substance abuse to be qualified clinicians. Substance abuse counseling instructors represent a broad range of experience, skills and knowledge in the field of substance abuse counseling. University faculty with research and training expertise and experienced practitioners in drug and alcohol treatment across many demographic groups and treatment settings make up the cadre of instructors.

Students in the substance abuse counseling program have the option of completing the bachelor of science degree as a main campus student or as an online, distance learning student. The main campus student will attend classes both in the traditional face-to-face delivery method, as well as experience classes delivered online via Blackboard - UC's advanced course development and delivery software. Distance learning students will complete their coursework entirely via the Blackboard platform in an asynchronous, computer-based format, with no obligation to travel to UC's campus.

  Success Factors

Students who have an interest in working in the community to provide assistance to others are great candidates for the degree in substance abuse counseling. Students in the substance abuse counseling program may enhance their education by choosing an area of study within the degree requirements that can include child abuse recognition, domestic violence counseling or another human service-related area.

Students who excel in the substance abuse counseling program often have very strong interpersonal skills and work well with others. In addition, having excellent written and verbal communications skills will assist these students to excel in the workforce in a number of positions.

  Career Possibilities

The substance abuse counseling program was developed by academicians, specialists in the area and practitioners in the field. An emphasis of the program is to help full-time students and career professionals gain the knowledge, competencies and skills needed to work in the field or to begin a career working with addicted persons.

Aspects of the program are also suited to those who may come in contact with and may need to assist addicted persons. In this regard, the program itself or the courses in the program are suited for probation, parole and corrections officers, social workers, mental health professionals, nurses and other medical staff, guidance counselors, psychologists and certified or licensed professionals who want to enhance their career potential and opportunities as well as clinical privileging with a degree in substance abuse counseling.

Upon program completion, students will have met all academic requirements for licensure under Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board guidelines. (Additional field practice hours are required for eligibility to take the state OCDPB license examination as well as other application requirements).

*Students who do not live in Ohio should access their state chemical dependency licensure boards for state specific information on levels of licensure, certificates available and reciprocity across states.

  Majoring in Substance Abuse Counseling

The substance abuse counseling program is offered through the Division of Human Services in the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). The faculty and staff continually work to ensure that students are trained in and practice both evidence-based clinical procedures and best practice-based clinical procedures. Students majoring in the substance abuse counseling program have the opportunity to work with professionals currently working in the field of substance abuse and counseling. Many of the courses are structured to provide students with a true feel of clinical experience in order to prepare them for the workforce.

  Minoring in Substance Abuse Counseling

There is no minor offered in substance abuse counseling.

Students from other programs may choose to complete the 30-credit-hour substance abuse counseling certificate.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school, use u.select to see how credits you have earned will transfer to UC. See course descriptions by college.

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
General Education Courses
English Composition I, II	15-ENGL-101, 102	6
Intermediate Composition	15-ENGL-289	3
Humanities electives		6
Literature or fine arts elective		3
Diversity & culture (Requirement met in concentration course work)
Social & ethical issues (Requirement met in concentration course work)
History electives		6
Introduction to Psychology I, II, III	15-PSYC-101, 102, 103	9
Human Development Early Childhood or Development I (online)	18-EDST-301 or 28-PSYC-205	3
Human Development Adolescence or Development II (online)	18-EDST 302 or 28-PSYC-206	3
Social Psychology	15-PSYC-215	3
Abnormal Behavior I, II, III	18-TRMT-316, 317, 318	9
Mathematics electives	15-MATH-	6
Natural science		12
Free electives		15

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Addictions Courses
Basic Pharmacology	18-ADDC-202	3
Alcoholism	18-ADDC-209	3
Drugs and Behavior	18-ADDC-211	3
Assessment and Diagnosis	18-ADDC-221	3
Introduction to Counseling	18-ADDC-231	3
Impact on Families	18-ADDC-301	3
Neurobiology & Neuroendocrinology	18-ADDC-302	3
Dual Diagnosis	18-ADDC-321	3
Holistic Assessment	18-ADDC-329	3
Cultural Competence	18-ADDC-330	3
Individual Counseling	18-ADDC-332	3
Group Process	18-ADDC-333	3
Group Leadership Skills	18-ADDC-401	3
Crisis Management in Therapy	18-ADDC-421	3
Recovery and Relapse	18-ADDC-422	3
Ethics in Chemical Dependency Counseling	18-ADDC-451	3
Clinical Supervision	18-ADDC-510	3
ATOD Prevention	18-ADDC-205	3
Stress Management in Treatment	18-TRMT-278	3
Safe and Drug-free Schools	18-ADDC-433	3
Addictions Casework	18-ADDC-522	3
Special Topics	18-CNSL-402	3
Focus Area/Academic Minor/Certificate		30
TOTAL		180

In anticipation of the University of Cincinnati’s conversion to a semester curriculum in the fall of 2012, this curriculum is subject to change in order to better serve the needs of our students while still maintaining program integrity.  Please consult with an Academic Advisor in the CECH Student Services Center to facilitate satisfactory progress towards degree completion.

The curriculum provided herein is for the guidance of students. The college, however, reserves the right to change course curriculum without prior notice.

The provisions of this listing do not constitute an express or implied contract between the college and any member of the student body, faculty or general public.

The displayed information is the latest available from the academic program which is maintained by the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Student Services Center.

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

As a part of the UC CECH, the substance abuse counseling program offers flexibility with weekend courses and distance learning courses. Most courses are offered in the evening to provide convenience to adult students who work during the day.

Advanced standing will also be awarded for previous college work completed with a grade of "C" or higher from an accredited college or university, if it applies to the program of study selected.

  Special Programs

CECH Tribunal
The purposes of the CECH Tribunal is to ensure that interests of the students of the college are voiced and to provide student representation on behalf of all undergraduate students in CECH, where representation is warranted. Also, the Tribunal organizes programs and social events for students of the college.

Student Ambassador Program
The Student Ambassador program represents CECH at the University of Cincinnati by assisting with the recruitment and retention of students in the college. CECH Student Ambassadors provide a valuable service by representing the student perspective of university life to prospective and new students. Ambassadors also represent the college at numerous collegiate functions, professional events and key promotional events. Being selected as a CECH Student Ambassador is an honor that reflects academic rigor and a commitment to the fields of education, health promotion and education, and criminal justice.

  Admission Requirements

All incoming freshmen entering in the 2010-11 academic year must meet one of the following requirements:

• Graduate in top 10% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 17 ACT or 820 SAT
• Score 22 ACT or 1020 SAT with a 2.7 high school GPA
• Graduate in top 60% of their high school class with a 2.7 high school GPA and test score of 21 ACT or 980 SAT

Additionally, incoming freshmen must meet Ohio articulation requirements including: 

• College-preparatory English (4 units)
• College-preparatory math (3 units)
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units same language)
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional units from above (2 units)

  Transferring to UC Requirements

All transfer students must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA from all colleges attended.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements
• Attain at least a 2.0 grade point average
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension
• Be matriculated in the college for at least the last full academic year (the last three quarters preceding graduation)
• Meet the college's residency requirement of 45 credit hours
• File formal application for the degree in the Student Services Center by the posted quarter of graduation deadline

  Application Deadlines

Application deadlines for freshmen are as follows: fall quarter - June 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February 1; summer quarter - May 1.

Application deadlines for all transfer students are as follows: fall quarter - August 1; winter quarter - November 15; spring quarter - February; summer quarter - May 1.

Students applying for admission after closing dates may be referred to UC Raymond Walters College or UC Clermont College.

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin that quarter.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.