Substance Use Disorder Counselor: CP CTE

Certificate of Proficiency | 16 Credits

Program Website
Academic Advising

Program Description
The Substance Use Disorder Counselor CTE Certificate of Proficiency (SUDC-CP) is a one-year professional training that prepares students with the required classroom training and applied onsite practicum experience to work in the field of addictions counseling with individuals and groups as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC). The SUDC-CP consists of five courses totaling 16 credit hours, including a 200-hour internship under the supervision of a licensed addictions counselor. Upon completion of an associate degree and the SUDC-CP, students will be eligible to sit for the national exam for SUDC licensure.

Career Opportunities
Substance use and addiction disorders have become major public health concerns in the United States. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.3 million Americans ages 12 and older experienced a substance use disorder in the past year, while only 6% received substance use treatment. Roughly 6% of Utah’s population suffer from drug use disorders. Additionally, 84% of Utah’s population reside in an area with a shortage of behavioral health counselors, including SUDCs, predominantly along the Wasatch front, which equates to the second worst access to care for services in the United States.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment opportunities for addiction counselors is projected to grow by 22% through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. SUD professionals work in a variety of settings that include inpatient (hospital and residential settings), outpatient (office or clinic), correctional facilities (jail, prison, juvenile detention), community health (methadone and pain management facilities) and peer support educational settings. The BLS reported that the median annual wage for SUDCs in Utah was $49,710 or $23.90 per hour in 2022, and Indeed.com reported a total of 166 SUD positions open in the State of Utah at the time that is proposal was written (10/2023).

Estimated Cost for Students
Tuition and student fees: http://www.slcc.edu/student/financial/tuition-fees.aspx

NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.

Program Entry Requirements
Prior to beginning SUDC coursework students must have completed the following two prerequisite courses with a minimum of a C grade: 1) PSY 1010 , and 2) SW 2100 or FHS 1500 .

Program Requirements

Required Courses (16 Credits)

Time to Completion & Graduation Map

Substance Use Disorder Counselor CP: Part-time
Estimated time to completion is 1 year.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcome alignment with Student Learning Outcomes in brackets.

Employ culturally competent and gender-sensitive approaches to working with diverse groups, populations and communities. [2,6]
Demonstrate the professional values and ethical standards of practice set for by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). [1,6,9]
Apply the 12 Core Functions of Substance Use Disorder Counseling across all levels of the continuum of care. [3,5]
Describe the professional skills, responsibilities, appropriate scope of practice, requirements for supervision, and documentation and reporting requirements of a Substance Use Disorder Counselor. [1,7]
Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the etiology, prevalence, treatment, and rehabilitation of substance use disorders. [4,6]
Demonstrate an applied knowledge of the neurobiological, behavioral, emotional, and social effects of psychoactive substances. [4,8]