Substance Abuse Counseling, AA

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Due to changing educational requirements at the state level for licensed addiction counselors, this course of study is subject to change. Students should work closely with an advisor to determine their course of study.

This program provides the student with the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of addiction and is designed to meet the academic requirement for the State of Montana’s Licensed Addiction Counselor.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will

Understand addiction
Understand a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to substance abuse.
Describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health, and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and significant others.
Understand treatment
Describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems.
Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
Apply knowledge
Understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care.
Provide treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.
Demonstrate professionalism
Understand the importance of self-awareness in one’s personal, professional, and cultural life.
Understand the addiction professionals’ obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.

Required Courses

First Year

Fall Semester

BIOB 101NL - Discover Biology Credit(s): 4
OR
BIOB 160NL - Principles of Living Systems Credit(s): 4
CAS 140 - Addiction and Diversity Credit(s): 2
PSYX 100A - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 4
PSYX 150 - Drugs and Society Credit(s): 3
WRIT 101W - College Writing I Credit(s): 3 *

First Semester Total: 16

Spring Semester

CAS 242 - Fundamentals of Substance Abuse and Addictions Credit(s): 3 *
CAS 279 - Legal, Ethical, and Professional issues in Substance Abuse Counseling Credit(s): 2 *
COMX 115C - Introduction to Interpersonal Communication Credit(s): 3
NASX 105G - Introduction to Native American Studies Credit(s): 3
OR
SOCI 220GA - Race, Gender and Class Credit(s): 3
PSYX 240A - Fundamentals of Abnormal Psychology Credit(s): 3 *
Mathematics (M) Requirement Credit(s): 3

Second Semester Total: 17

First Year Total: 33

Second Year

Fall Semester

CAS 243 - Substance Abuse Counseling I Credit(s): 3 *
CAS 252 - Gambling and Gaming Disorders in Substance Abuse Counseling Credit(s): 2 *
CAS 254 - Co-occurring Disorders in Substance Abuse Counseling Credit(s): 2 *
CAS 264 - Fundamentals of Group Dynamics for Substance Abuse Counselors Credit(s): 3 *
Fine Arts (F) Requirement Credit(s): 3
Humanities (H) Requirement Credit(s): 3¹

First Semester Total: 16

Spring Semester

CAS 248 - Substance Abuse Counseling II Credit(s): 3 *
CAS 250 - Assessment and Case Management Processes Credit(s): 4 *
CAS 295 - Clinical Practicum Credit(s): 1 *
PSYX 250NA - Fundamentals of Biological Psychology Credit(s): 3 *
Fine Arts (F) Requirement Credit(s): 3
OR
Humanities (H) Requirement Credit(s): 3¹
Social Science (B) Requirement Credits(s): 3 ²

Second Semester Total: 17

Second Year Total: 33

Total Credits: 66

¹Recommend for “H” requirement: PHL 110 and SPNS 101 .

²Recommend for “B” requirement: ECNS 101 or PSCI 210 .

*Indicates prerequisite and/or corequisite needed. Check course description.

Recommended electives as course loads and time permit:

Students receiving financial aid or veteran’s benefits should check with the Financial Aid Office before registering for recommended courses.

PSYX 230A - Developmental Psychology Credit(s): 3 *
PSYX 260A - Fundamentals of Social Psychology Credit(s): 3 *
SOCI 101A - Introduction to Sociology Credit(s): 3

Program Information

Upon completion of the Substance Abuse Counseling AA degree at FVCC, students must apply for state license candidacy before starting the required 1,000 hours of supervised internship work. The internship hours must be completed before applying for full licensure. Detailed information on licensure requirements is available through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health.

Step 1: Apply for and receive a candidacy license.
Step 2: Accumulate required internship hours.
Step 3: Apply for the Montana Licensed Addiction Counselor’s test and license.

FVCC does not assist in post-education internship placement or licensing examination prep. This responsibility falls on the student. Contact your advisor for assistance with ACLC application questions, as they arise.

Advising Information:

For more information about this program, contact an advisor.

Academic Advisor	Faculty Advisor
Jori Bullemer	Carlin Phillips
LRC 129	BSS 124
(406) 756-3905	(406) 756-3886
jbullemer@fvcc.edu	cphillips@fvcc.edu