Drug Alcohol Counseling

Associate Degree Program

Alcohol and drug addiction is a major public health problem in America. The consequences are far-reaching and affect individuals, families, and society as a whole. Our program will provide an understanding of drug use, abuse and dependence and the related personal and social consequences. You will develop skills to provide therapeutic services for people dealing with substance abuse, with an emphasis on helping them maintain recovery and prevent relapse. As a graduate, you will be prepared for entry into the drug and alcohol counseling profession and/or to continue your education at a four-year institution to complete a bachelor's degree. The Drug and Alcohol Counseling courses are accepted by the Delaware Certification Board and lead to partial fulfillment of the requirements for certification.

Offered at the following campus(es): Dover, Wilmington

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

  • Chemical Dependency Technician
  • Drug and Alcohol Counselor
  • Prevention Specialist

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

  1. Create and maintain effective and professional documents relevant to Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
  2. Interact ethically and professionally within the Drug and Alcohol Counseling field.
  3. Apply information to identify client's strengths, weaknesses and resources to create a treatment plan.
  4. Provide effective client services at an entry level by utilizing professional Drug and Alcohol Counseling principles and practices.
  5. Establish effective working relationships within the Drug and Alcohol Counseling arena.
  6. Apply basic management and leadership skills in Drug and Alcohol Counseling environments, including time management, organization, and the ability to follow directions.
  7. Utilize feedback to assess the effect of oneself on Drug and Alcohol Counseling outcomes and make adjustments accordingly.

Core Curriculum Competencies

The Core Curriculum Competencies listed below identify what you will be able to do as a graduate, regardless of your program of study. You will acquire these core competencies through general education courses and program-specific coursework. You will be expected to use relevant technology to achieve these outcomes:

  1. Apply clear and effective communication skills.
  2. Use critical thinking to solve problems.
  3. Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
  4. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
  5. Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
  6. Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Semester 1

Number Course Title Credits
SSC 100First Year Seminar1
CIS 107Introduction to Computers/Application3
ENG 101Composition I3
HMS 121Introduction to Human Services3
MAT 152Quantitative Reasoning3
PSY 121General Psychology3
SOC 111Sociology3

Semester 2

Number Course Title Credits
DAC 141Intro Drug & Alcohol Counseling3
ENG 102Composition II3
HMS 122Theories of Counseling3
HMS 123Dynamics/Group Communication I3
PSY 223Abnormal Psychology3
POL 111Political Science3

Semester 3

Number Course Title Credits
DAC 225Drug & Alcohol Counseling3
DAC 230Assessment & Documentation in Addictions Counseling3
HMS 221Ethical Problems and Issues3
HMS 243Directed Practice I6
PSY 127Human Development3

Semester 4

Number Course Title Credits
COM 222Intercultural Communication3
DAC 240Families & Addiction3
DAC 244Directed Practice II6

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 67 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).

HSTAASDAC

Pursuing a Bachelor's Degree?

This is a Connected Degree program that enables you to complete your associate degree and then transfer to a four-year degree program as a junior. See a program advisor for details!

Campus-Specific Program Information
Contact Dover

Kim Gibbs
Department Chair, Instructor,
and Program Advisor
kim.gibbs@paksel.net
(302) 857-1781

This program is offered at the Dover and Wilmington campuses.

This program is offered at the Dover and Wilmington campuses.
Contact Wilmington:

Jennifer Hutt
Department Chair
jennifer.hutt@paksel.net
(302) 571-5324