Academic Programs and Services

Addiction Studies Certificate

The Behavioral Health/Human Services (BHHS) Curriculum offers a certification process to further develop appropriate and effective professional education and training for jobs as addiction counselors, rehabilitation specialists, and case management specialists in the fields of chemical dependency and other addictions such as nicotine and gambling. Students must meet both regular College admission requirements and those of the Behavioral Health/Human Services Curriculum. The certificate also may be taken in conjunction with the degree program in BHHS. Individuals working in the addictions field require diverse backgrounds, training and experience. Students come to the program degreed, non-degreed and from various academic disciplines, bringing with them varied levels of understanding and expertise in the assessment and treatment of mental health and substance abuse.

Program Entry Requirements:
The Program is open to interested students. New students are required to take College placement tests. Students identified as needing developmental course work must satisfactorily complete the appropriate English courses prior to program entry. Students requiring developmental mathematics courses must complete them in addition to the requirements of their certificate program. Admission to the Program also requires that the student attend an orientation session before a decision of acceptance is made. Permission of the BHHS Curriculum Coordinator is required for admission.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements:
To qualify for the certificate in Addiction Studies, a student must complete 30 credit hours as prescribed and attain a grade point average of 2.0 (“C” average).

Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) Status:
The Pennsylvania Certification Board requires 300 clock-hours of training with appropriate paid experience and a bachelor’s degree in a human service field to achieve the credential of Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC). However, persons can become eligible for addiction counselor positions while working on their CAC credential. Pennsylvania Bulletin, v. 26, n. 5 for February 3, 1996 states the following: A person with an associate degree in human services from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency and two years of experience is eligible for the position of addictions counselor. Without experience, the community college graduate, with an associate’s degree and a major in chemical dependency, is prepared for the position of assistant addiction counselor. Community College of Philadelphia will help all qualified students apply for AAC I (Associate Addictions Counselor) and AAC II status. Those students with a bachelor’s degree will be advised of the procedure for applying for the CAC as well as the necessary educational credits needed to comply with the certification board. It should be noted that three college credit hours is equivalent to 45 clock-hours of training.

Download a printable degree description (PDF File) that includes a recommended course sequence grid.