{
  "college": "san-diego-city-college",
  "edition": "2026-2027",
  "departmentName": "Alcohol and Other Drug Studies",
  "id": "alcohol-and-other-drug-studies-associate-of-science-degree",
  "name": "Alcohol and Other Drug Studies",
  "award": "Associate of Science Degree",
  "department": "alcohol-and-other-drug-studies",
  "sourceUrl": "https://sdccd.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/15604/15944/15945/15605/15475",
  "blocks": [
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "### Summary\n\nThe Associate of Science in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies prepares students for certification as alcohol and other drug counselors in the State of California (units may qualify for other state certification or licensing requirements). The Associate of Science degree provides academic preparation for baccalaureate study in addiction, psychology, social work, human services, and related disciplines. Students must complete all required courses within ten years in order to receive the Associate Degree.\n\nThe AODS department recommends students take courses in the order as presented.\n\nAODS 270 must be substituted for AODS 164 if student has a paid internship.\n\n**Award Note:**\nThe Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.\n\n**Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program will be able to:**\n\n1.  Identify diagnostic criteria, apply assessment skills, and describe scientifically validated models of substance use disorder treatment.\n2.  Identify the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the person and their significant others.\n3.  Explain the potential for medical and mental health conditions to coexist with substance use disorder.\n4.  Demonstrate an understanding of the laws, regulations, and ethical codes of the substance use disorder treatment profession.\n5.  Practice in an internship the eight addiction counselor practice dimensions: clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; counseling; client, family, community education; documentation; professional and ethical responsibilities."
    },
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "### Accreditation\n\nThe Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (AODS) program prepares students for certification as substance use disorder counselors in the State of California (units may qualify for other state certification or licensing requirements). This program is vocational, academic, and clinical in nature. It trains students in the practice dimensions and core competencies of alcohol and other drug counseling while providing a theoretical foundation in the behavioral sciences and human service professions.\n\nThe AODS certificate program includes education in the many complex factors that contribute to addiction and substance abuse (including psychological and sociological factors), training in the evidence-based clinical practices used in day-to-day work as a counselor, and on-the-job experience through a supervised internship at an active treatment facility.\n\nThe AODS certificate program at San Diego City College is fully accredited and approved by the State of California’s Department of Health Care Services through a contract with the California Association for Alcohol/Drug Educators (CAADE), an organization that accredits substance abuse counselor training programs in higher education.\n\nUpon completion of the certificate of achievement or associate degree, students may be eligible for entry level employment as an alcohol and other drug counselor. However, the State of California requires additional credentialing in order to maintain employment in this field. Persons hired as alcohol and other drug counselors have five years to become fully certified and most employers will want counselors to be certified within a year of being hired. California does not license alcohol and other drug counselors at this time. Certification is accomplished through private credentialing organizations that are nationally approved and approved by the State of California. The Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Program specifically prepares students for application to three certifying organizations: the California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators' (CAADE) Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California (ACCBC), the California Association of DUI Treatment Programs (CADTP), and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). ACCBC offers certification as a Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor (CATC), CADTP offers certification as a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAODC), and CCAPP offers certification as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC). Each organization offers several levels of certification depending on experience and academic achievement. Students who complete the certificate of achievement in AODS will have met the educational requirements for all three certifying organizations."
    },
    {
      "kind": "text",
      "markdown": "### Requirements"
    },
    {
      "kind": "courselist",
      "rows": [
        {
          "type": "comment",
          "text": "COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR:",
          "units": "40-41"
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 150",
          "title": "Introduction to Chemical Dependency",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 153",
          "title": "Chemical Dependency Family Counseling Techniques",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 154",
          "title": "Law, Ethics, and Skills in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "SOCO 101",
          "title": "Principles of Sociology",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PSYC C1000",
          "title": "Introduction to Psychology",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 155",
          "title": "Culturally Informed Practices",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 156",
          "title": "Case Management in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 157",
          "title": "Pharmacology of Psychoactive Drugs",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 159",
          "title": "Co-Occurring Disorders in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 160",
          "title": "Group Dynamics in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "PSYC 161",
          "title": "Introduction to Counseling",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 162",
          "title": "Internship Seminar: Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling",
          "units": "3",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 164",
          "title": "Internship: Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling",
          "units": "5",
          "indent": false
        },
        {
          "type": "course",
          "code": "AODS 270",
          "title": "Work Experience in Chemical Dependency",
          "units": "4",
          "indent": false,
          "connector": "or"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}