Community Social Services/Substance Abuse

Program Description

The Community Social Services Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counseling program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level professional positions in the social services, as well as some of the other human services. The Substance Abuse program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients. Both programs also prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, offer further training for persons already employed, or provide students the opportunity to explore for vocational choice.

The Community Social Services Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counseling program program requirements comply with CAADE (California Association on Alcohol and Drug Education) and CADTP (California Association of DUI Treatment Programs) guidelines, as well as California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) substance use disorder (SUD) counselor certification standards.

The major in this program, Community Social Services/Substance Abuse is offered as an Associate in Arts (AA) Degree and the Certificate of Achievement. To qualify for the AA degree students must satisfactorily complete the Major course requirements and the General Education requirements. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the Major course requirements. Both the Associate’s Degree and the Certificate of Achievement meet the formal education requirements for those seeking to become a California Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor.

To qualify for the Associate in Arts Degree, students must satisfactorily complete the major requirements specified below and the local AA/AS general education requirements. The completion time for this degree program is generally 4 semesters. Completion time will vary based on student preparation and the number of units completed per semester.

This AA degree program requires:

1. Completion of at least 60 degree-applicable semester units including the following:
   1. A minimum of 18 semester units from the program (major) requirements
   2. A minimum of 21 units of local AA/AS General Education requirements
   3. A minimum of 12 of the 60 units must be completed at Merritt College
   4. Courses taken outside the Peralta Community College District will be reviewed and evaluated to determine if they are degree-applicable
   5. If the General Education and the major units do not total 60, complete degree-applicable elective course(s) to reach the required 60 units
2. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major
3. A minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for General Education Area 1A: English Composition and Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning
4. A minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 in General Education coursework and in all coursework for the degree

As this degree alone may not be complete preparation for transfer, students wishing to transfer to a 4-year institution should meet with a counselor to develop a plan that addresses all transfer requirements.

Career Opportunities

The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counseling program is designed to prepare students for employment in entry-level paraprofessional positions, providing counseling, case management, crisis management, and relapse prevention services to substance abuse clients. Positions include: Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors [21-1011] Social and Human Service Assistants [21-1093] Community Health Worker [21-1094] Peer Support Specialist [21-1094] Case Manager [21-1093] Prevention Counselor [21-1011] or [21-1091] Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other [21-1099]

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Apply knowledge of mental health/human service trends, issues and regulations to inpatient, outpatient and other programs within the human services delivery system.
2. Display appropriate communication and interpersonal skills through active listening, sensitivity and effective responses to both verbal and non-verbal behavior.
3. Demonstrate appropriate professional behavior (e.g. timeliness) and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, and cultural diversity.
4. Establish rapport with clients, gather information about the conditions that bring clients in for a service, and refer clients to appropriate resources.