Campus News
June 11th, 2019
Pre-requisite course being offered this summer for GC's new Addictions Counseling program
Course is also required for those seeking state certification
Addictions counseling, a relatively new program available at Garrett College, was developed to address the ever-growing opioid and substance abuse crisis, at both the regional and national level.
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent nationwide and 20.7 percent in Maryland from 2016 through 2026, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.
Garrett College's program is designed for students who plan to qualify as a certified supervised alcohol and drug counselor (CSC-AD) and enter the workforce after completing a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in addictions counseling.
The program meets a Maryland state requirement that CSC-ADs have an associate's degree or higher in a human services counseling field that includes 24 college credits in addiction- and counseling-related coursework and a six-credit field placement. Prospective students that already possess a degree in a health or human services counseling field and that need 24 credit hours of alcohol and drug counselor training may also enroll in program courses.
"The program culminates with a hands-on fieldwork practicum, stated Lucy Manley, GC's associate dean for academic affairs. "This is not only required for state certification, but also provides a semester-long, practical, hands-on experience to prepare students for careers as drug and alcohol counselors in a variety of settings."
Prospective individuals who are either considering enrolling in the degree program this coming fall, or preparing for state certification, are strongly encouraged to take the online pre-requisite course - PSY286 Drugs & Human Behavior – during GC's summer session beginning June 12th.
"Whether students are looking to begin the addictions counseling program this coming fall, or desire to obtain a Maryland state certification, this pre-requisite course is required," said Mike Tumbarello, GC's director of enrollment management. "Contact the Admissions office today to enroll and register in time for the start of summer session the week of June 12th."
Students can also pursue the AAS degree as a foundation for transferring to a four-year institution.
Garrett received approval by the Maryland Higher Education Commission last fall to offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in addictions counseling.
For additional information on the addictions counseling program, or to register for the summer pre-requisite course, contact the GC Admissions Office at 301-387-3044 or visit us online at www.garrettcollege.edu.
