Addiction Services MHTCD.S.AAS

Associate of Applied Science - 65 Credit Hours

Division: Health Sciences
Department: Mental Health and Addiction Services
Effective as of Fall 2023

Become a Chemical Dependency Counselor, help create addiction service plans and complete clinical assessment documents.

Preparation for professional role in field of chemical dependency treatment and/or transfer to 4-year college or university.

What is the program about?

In the Mental Health and Addiction Services department, the Addiction Services degree program prepares entry-level professionals for employment working on an inter-disciplinary team with clinical supervision in chemical dependency treatment settings. Graduates of this program work directly with a diverse group of clients. The program can be taken full-time or part- time. If enrolled full-time, it is designed to be completed in five (5) semesters. It consists of open enrollment courses (general education and division specific) and program specific courses with limited enrollment. The open enrollment courses may be taken prior to entry into the limited enrollment courses. Second-year practicum hours can be submitted toward partial employment requirements of the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (OCDP). To qualify for entry to limited enrollment courses, please see the Applicant Information packet located on the web page. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required, as well as an initial faculty advising appointment during MHT 1101. A grade of C or higher is required in all program courses. The practicum portion of the curriculum provides 420 hours of supervised experience. Note: For students under age 18 there may be restrictions on participating in certain Health Sciences programs. Any student under age 18 must contact the program director/department chair to discuss whether he or she may enroll. This degree program contains one or more embedded certificates which will be automatically awarded when the certificate requirements are completed. If you do not want to receive the embedded certificate(s), please notify Registration and Student Records at studentrecords@sinclair.edu.

Program Outcomes

• Students will use effective interpersonal skills in the classroom and at clinical practicum sites.
• Students will demonstrate evidenced-based and chemical dependency specific individual and group intervention strategies.
• Students will develop self-awareness and effective self-management.
• Students will apply ethical decision making and professional clinical behaviors with a focus on cultural humility and respect for diversity factors.
• Students will demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills.

Career Opportunities

Addiction Services graduates can work at hospitals, substance use disorder treatment centers, and numerous other field-related positions in the community. Graduates have completed the 180 hours of specific education required to sit for the LCDC II exam. The OCDP Board has other requirements for licensure.

Transferability

Formal articulation agreements with other colleges and universities indicate how Sinclair programs and courses transfer to other institutions.

Credentials

MHTCD.S.AAS graduates are eligible for registration as Social Work Assistants (SWA) through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board. The MHTCD.S.AAS program provides the educational hours required by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board for credentialing as Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistants (CDCA).

Additional Information

• State and federal background check required for participation in practicum (internship) courses.
• Students with felony backgrounds will not be able to work with certain populations or agencies.
• Completion of MHT 1130 leads to Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) Phase I credential.
• Graduation leads to Social Worker Assistant (SWA) credential.