Chemical Dependency Counseling

The Degree

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

The Outlook

An increased demand for professionals in the area of chemical dependency counseling and a greater emphasis on alcohol and drug abuse education has created positions in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and government and social service agencies. The Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that employment opportunities in the field are expected to grow at a faster-than-average rate through the year 2010. Through the A.A.S. Chemical Dependency Counseling degree program at Finger Lakes Community College, you can prepare for entry-level positions in the field or for transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

The Program

By combining academic background with extensive field experience, the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program in Chemical Dependency Counseling at FLCC educates and trains you to work as a counselor with alcoholics and addicts. The program prepares you to take the Chemical Dependency Counseling examination and utilizes the technically advanced Educational Technology Classrooms and videos.

Honors Courses: In addition, the College offers honors courses that provide enhanced educational experiences for students who have demonstrated outstanding academic ability. Enrollment in honors courses is open to qualified students in this degree program, as well as all other qualified FLCC students. Successful completion of honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase student transfer options to four-year institutions.

The Experience

A required 300 hours of field experience in settings such as the Canandaigua Veteran's Administration Hospital, Geneva General Hospital, Finger Lakes Alcoholism Counseling and Referral Agency (FLACRA), Park Ridge Chemical Dependency (PRCD), Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic, and the Council on Alcoholism provide you with extensive experience in the field before graduating. Field trips to Tully Hill Treatment Center, PRCD and FLACRA, along with workshops and trainings in the area provide additional information and networking opportunities for students

The Graduates

Graduates from the program have found employment as entry-level substance abuse counselors at all area treatment centers, while others have successfully transferred to baccalaureate programs in counseling, health science, and social work at four-year institutions such as SUNY College at Brockport, Nazareth College of Rochester, and Syracuse University, to name a few*. Some graduates have completed Master in Social Work (M.S.W.) programs after earning their four-year degrees.

In addition, an alumni group for Chemical Dependency Counseling program graduates provides fellowship and networking opportunities.

Salary: According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, median annual earnings of substance abuse counselors in the year 2000 were $28,510. Those employed in the local government and hospital segments of the industry are reported to have the highest annual earnings of approximately $31,600.

* This is a sampling of some of the four-year colleges and universities to which our students have transferred. Please consult your advisor or the Center for Advisement and Personal Development for a complete listing of transfer agreements between Finger Lakes Community College and four-year institutions

The Scholarships

Students who are interested in transferring to pursue a higher degree in chemical dependency counseling or human services and who meet the specific criteria may be eligible for the Ontario County Council of Social Agencies Members (OCCSAM) Scholarship. Contact a member of the Chemical Dependency Counseling Department or Financial Aid Office for more details.

The Faculty

The Chemical Dependency program includes a full-time faculty, all with a master's degrees in Public Administration and credentials in the field.

Chemical Dependency Counseling

Curriculum Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 65 semester hours with a grade point average of not less than C (2.0).

All associate degree programs require English 101 Freshman English and English 102 Introduction to Literature. Students must pass skills assessment for entrance into these courses. Students who are well prepared may substitute ENG 104 English I Honors and ENG 105 English II Honors for ENG101 and ENG102. Students who are considering the English Honors sequence should consult the Director of Honors.

Students must successfully complete:

Humanities

  • ENG101 Freshman English and ENG 102 Introduction to Literature
    or
    ENG104 English I Honors and ENG105 English II Honors
  • COM 110 Public Speaking OR COM 115 Interpersonal Communication
  • 3 credit hours of humanities electives

Social Science

  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology
  • PSY 150 Interviewing and Counseling
  • PSY 200 Developmental Psychology
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
  • SOC 110 Social Problems

Mathematics and/or Science

  • BIO 111 Biology of Man I
  • BIO 112 Biology of Man II
  • 3 credit hours Mathematics elective

Human Services

  • HUS 102 Human Services in Contemporary America

Chemical Dependency

  • CDC 100 Alcoholism
  • CDC 101 Chemical Use, Abuse and Dependency
  • CDC 200 Addiction Counseling
  • CDC 210 Field Experience I
  • CDC 211 Field Experience II

Health/Physical Education Elective

  • PE 214 Responding to Emergencies
  • 1 credit hour elective

Elective

  • The remainder of required hours must be made up of approved electives.

Chemical Dependency Counseling

Sample Schedule

The schedule below shows how the requirements for the A.A.S. Chemical Dependency degree may be met in four semesters. This schedule is an example of one of many possible different schedules. It is included here only as an illustration of the type of schedule that might be followed by a full-time student. Many students attending Finger Lakes Community College who have work and/or family obligations choose a different sequence of courses and take more than four semesters to fulfill the requirements for the A.A.S. Chemical Dependency degree. Similarly, students who find they need to take some additional course work to prepare them to do well in the types of courses included in the A.A.S. Chemical Dependency degree may plan a schedule that takes more than four semesters to complete the degree. All students should consult their advisors when they plan their schedule.

First Semester (16 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 101 Freshman English (3)
  • BIO 111 Biology of Man I (4)
  • HUS 102 Human Services in Contemporary America (3)
  • CDC 100 Alcoholism (3)
  • PE 214 Responding to Emergencies (3)

Second Semester (16 Credit Hours)

  • ENG 102 Introduction to Literature (3)
  • PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
  • CDC 101 Chemical Use, Abuse and Dependency (3)
  • BIO 112 Biology of Man II (4)

Third Semester (17 Credit Hours)

  • PSY 150 Interviewing and Counseling (3)
  • PSY 200 Developmental Psychology (3)
  • SOC 110 Social Problems (3)
  • COM 110 Public Speaking OR COM 115 Interpersonal Communication (3)
  • CDC 210 Field Experience I (4)
  • Health/Physical Education Elective (1)

Fourth Semester (16 Credit Hours)

  • CDC 200 Addiction Counseling (3)
  • CDC 211 Field Experience II (4)
  • Mathematics Elective (3)
  • Humanities Elective (3)
  • General Elective (3)