Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse

 

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Curriculum Overview
The Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse concentration prepares students to assist in drug and alcohol counseling, prevention- oriented educational activities, rehabilitation with recovering clients, managing community- based programs, counseling in residential facilities, and pursuit of four-year degrees.

Course work includes classroom and experiential activities oriented toward an overview of chemical dependency, psychological/sociological process, the twelve Core Functions, intervention techniques with individuals in groups, and follow-up activities with recovering clients.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The VGCC HST Substance Abuse Counselor track is approved by the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board to meet the educational requirements needed to qualify for the written certification exam for either the Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) credential or the Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Professional (CCJP) credential. For the CSAC credential, students take Human Services classes such as Crisis Intervention, Interviewing Techniques, Abnormal Psychology and Group Process, as well as six core substance abuse courses. For the CCJP credential, students take the Human Services courses, substance abuse courses, and two criminal justice courses. Students also complete a two-semester internship.

While most classes are offered at the college's South Campus near Creedmoor, some Human Services classes are offered at other campuses, and some distance-learning classes are available online. Some substance abuse courses are offered in the fall and others are offered in the spring. Courses are offered in the summer as well, but all required courses are taught in either the fall or spring semesters, so that students are not required to attend in the summer.