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Social and Human Services
Alcohol & Chemical Dependency
You can make a difference in your community by working with individuals and families affected by the abuse of alcohol and other drugs
Frequently asked questions for students interested in becoming a chemical dependency counselor in Washington State
Q. Do I need any specific life experience or training to enroll in the ACD program?
A. Not Really, just a sincere interest in helping others and a commitment to doing what you need to do to be a successful student.
Q. I want to be a alcohol and chemical dependency (ACD) counselor and have never attended college what will I need to do to?
A. The first step is to complete the college admissions process, take an assessment to determine your math and English skills and schedule an appointment with a curriculum or faculty adviser. (http://www.edcc.edu/enroll/default.stm )
If you have no prior college work you will probably be advised to complete the coursework required for the Associate of Technical Arts degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling although there are some other options that will get you to where you want to go.
Q. How long will it take to complete the necessary coursework for the ATA Degree?
A. This degree requires 90-quarter hours of coursework. If you attend school full-time and take an average of fifteen credits per quarter most students will be able to complete this degree in two years. How long it will actually take depends on a number of additional factors including those listed below:
- Your current level of skills in writing, reading comprehension, and math.
- Whether you already have an Associate or Bachelors degree.
- How many previously earned college credits (whether or not you completed a degree) can be applied to our Degree of certificate requirements.
- Whether you intend to take 3, 5, 10 or 15 credits of course work per quarter.
- Availability of courses you need when you are available to take them.
Q. Why do I need to complete an Associate degree rather than the 45-credit Certificate that Edmonds offers?
A. The State of Washington requires that applicants for the Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) credential must have at least an Associate degree. Furthermore an applicant for the CDP credential must also have at least 45 credits of coursework specifically related to chemical dependency counseling. Our ATA degree in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling is designed to satisfy both of these requirements.
Q. Will I be able to transfer credits earned in pursuit of the Associate of Technical Arts degree to another college or university?
A. This is a difficult question to answer since each college or university makes their own rules regarding what courses they will accept and apply towards a particular degree that they offer. If you plan to transfer to another university or college it is best to contact them directly about what courses within our programs they will accept. The Transfer Advisors on campus can also help you evaluate this.
Q. If I have little or no previous college work and choose to complete the coursework for the 45-credit Certificate first can I later apply those credits towards the ATA degree in ACD Counseling?
A. Yes, but the faculty does not consider this choice to be the best way to prepare for a career in CD counseling. Please consult with your faculty adviser for details.
Q. If I choose to complete the coursework for the 45-credit Certificate first, can I later apply those credits towards an ATA or Associate degree other than the ATA in Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling?
A. Perhaps. This will depend on the degree of overlap with the course requirements and electives necessary to complete the requirements for the other degree. If this is a concern please discuss this issue with your Faculty adviser. The earlier you do so the better.
Q. Can I use previously earned college credits to satisfy the course requirements for either the degree or the certificate?
A. Perhaps or perhaps not. We cannot answer that question before reviewing your college transcripts. An unofficial copy will be adequate for a preliminary assessment. In order to apply credits earned elsewhere towards any Edmonds degree of certificate and official transcript from other colleges must be received by the Edmonds CC registrars office and officially evaluated. Please consult with your faculty adviser regarding details.
Q. I already have an associate degree; do I still need to complete the ATA degree requirements?
A. No, but If your degree did not include 45 credits of coursework specifically related to CD Counseling you will probably be advised to complete the coursework requirements for the CD Counseling Certificate only. Some previously earned credits may apply to this certificate and to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) requirements. Please consult with your faculty adviser on this matter.
Q. Will an Associate Degree other than an Associate Degree in Chemical Dependency satisfy the Washington State Department of Health minimum degree requirement for the CDP credential?
Yes, but possession of an Associate degree (or higher degree) is only one of a number of requirements that must be satisfied. IF your degree did not include a minimum of 45 credits of coursework specifically related to ACD counseling additional coursework will be necessary to fulfill DOH requirements. The Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate was specifically designed for this purpose. (See ACD Certificate requirements)
Q. I already have a Bachelors degree in Human Services (or Social Work). Will any of the credits I earned previously apply to the Edmonds CC Certificate?
A. Probably. But we cannot answer that question definitively before reviewing your college transcripts. An unofficial copy will be adequate for a preliminary assessment. Please consult with your faculty advisor.
Q. If Edmonds CC accepts credits earned previously at another College for the EDCC ACD Certificate or Degree will DOH also accept them as satisfying their requirements?
A. Perhaps, but we cannot guarantee this. The Department of Health will make that determination after you submit your application for the CDP credential. If you have questions about this contact them directly (360) 236 4902.
Q. If I already have a Bachelors degree in Human Services (or Social Work) will any of the credits I earned previously apply to the Department of Health requirements?
A. Perhaps, but we cannot guarantee this. The Department of Health will make that determination after you submit your application for the CDP credential. If you have questions about this review their webs site or call them directly. (360) 236-4902. http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqad/cdp/
Q. Are there additional requirements for CDP applicants besides academic ones?
A. Yes.
- All applicants for this credential must have a certain number of hours of supervised clinical experience working with CD clients. The number of hours required depends on the level of your highest academic degree.
- You must also submit and evaluation of your competence to practice.
- You must also sit for and pass an examination administered by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors www.naadac.org/
- For Complete Details about requirements please contact the Washington State Department of Health, Division of Professional Licensing in Olympia http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/hpqad/cdp/
Q. Is it possible to obtain a paid position working with clients in the CD field prior to satisfying all the requirements for the ACD ATA degree or Certificate?
A. Yes, currently there is a shortage of ACD counselors in the NW and some students are offered paid employment before completing all the coursework and obtaining their CDP credential. This situation may change.
Q. Can I work as a Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) after completing either ACD ATA or Certificate program?
A. Perhaps, but probably not. Washington State law restricts the use of the title Chemical Dependency Professional. Only people who have satisfied all the Department Health requirements and who have been issued this credential can call themselves a Chemical Dependency Professional. This does not mean that there are no employment opportunities for people in the CD or human services fields that do not have this credential. (See below)
Q. Is it possible to obtain a paid position in the CD field prior to satisfying all the DOH requirements?
A. Yes.
Q. What chemical dependency-related jobs will I be qualified for after completing my degree but prior to satisfying all the requirements for the CDP credential?
A. There are a variety of positions available in CD treatment and prevention programs that that do not require possession of the CDP credential.
Q. Does the College or the Human Services Department provide assistance in finding a job in the field?
A. Yes.
Q. What kind of money can I expect to earn in this field?
A. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors similar to those affecting salaries in other helping professions. Among the most important factors is your level of educational attainment (Associate degree, Bachelors degree, Masters degree, etc.) and experience. A survey conducted by the Northwest Frontier Addiction Technology Transfer Center (1999) reports that counselors in Washington State with two year degrees earn $24,190 annually. And many earn substantially more (The mean income was $27,469 per year.).
Q. Is this true that it is difficult to get a job if you are not a recovering person yourself?
A. While this may have been somewhat true ten years ago, this is no longer the rule. Although some providers may prefer to hire people with a history of abuse and recovery they could be accused of violating anti-discrimination laws if they ruled our all applicants except people with a recovery history.
Q. Will I be employable in other areas of the social and human services field other than chemical dependency with an ATA Degree in Chemical Dependency?
A. A qualified Yes. Many factors will influence the range of opportunities for employment within human Services but outside the specialized field of Chemical Dependency. Alcohol and substance abuse, both occasional and chronic, is so widespread that many community agencies and businesses have come to value the presence on their staff of a person with specialized knowledge and skills in this area. Much of the knowledge and many of the skills required to perform the duties of a CD counselor are commonly required of other human service workers serving a wide array of clients.
