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Substance Abuse Counseling A.A.S.

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2025-2026 Edition

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60 Semester Credit Hours; Curriculum: 0204

Upon completion of the A.A.S. in Substance Abuse Counseling and providing documentation of all required observation hours and practical experience, graduates will be eligible to apply for the Illinois Certification Board CADC Certification.

Note: Refer to IAI General Education Courses page for guidelines on General Education course selection.

Course List
Code Title Hours
General Education Requirements
Area A — Communications
EGL 101Composition I3
Select one of the following:3
EGL 102
Composition II
EGL 111
Introduction to Business and Technical Writing (recommended)
EGL 212
Technical Writing Applications
SPE 103
Effective Speech
Area B — Mathematics
Select one course from Area B (Mathematics) or Area C (Science)0-3
Area C — Science
Select one course from Area B (Mathematics) or Area C (Science)0-3
Area D — Social and Behavioral Sciences
(Recommend one course from PSY 101 or SOC 101)3
Area E — Humanities/Fine Arts
Select one course from a humanities or fine arts discipline3
Area F — Global Studies 1
Select one course that satisfies Global Studies requirement0-3
Area G — U.S. Diversity Studies 2
Select one course that satisfies U.S. Diversity Studies requirement0-3
Other General Education credits: Select additional credits from Areas B, C, D, E, F or G if needed to meet 18-credit-hour minimum0-3
Total Hours18
1

Students may take a Global Studies course that satisfies both Area F and another Area requirement.

2

Students may take a U.S. Diversity Studies course that satisfies both Area G and another Area requirement.

Course List
Code Title Hours
Major Requirements
HSV 110Counseling/Interviewing3
HSV 121Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Addiction Strategies3
HSV 122Cross Cultural Consideration in Counseling3
HSV 210Counseling/Interviewing II3
HSV 250Substance Abuse Practicum I4
HSV 255Substance Abuse Practicum II4
PSY 107Applied Psychology: The Psychology of Personal Growth3
PSY 120Human Development3
PSY 203Psychology of Abnormal Behavior3
PSY 234Family Systems and the Addictive Process3
PSY 235Psychology of Group Behavior3
PSY 237Psychopharmacology3
PSY 238Substance Use and Related Disorders3
Electives: Select one course from PSY, SOC, HSV or other course that is approved by the program coordinator.1
Total Hours42

Substance Abuse Counseling Pathway

The following pathway is recommended for students pursuing an Associate in Applied Science degree in Substance Abuse Counseling. For more information or program specific advising contact the department chair. General Education courses should be selected from the list of IAI General Education Courses.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Semester OneHours
EGL 101 Composition I 3
Select one of the following: 4
MAT 125
General Education Mathematics
MAT 131
Elementary Statistics
BIO 101
Introduction to Life Science
BIO 105
Human Genetics
Select one of the following: 3
PSY 101
Introduction to Psychology (recommended)
PSY 204
Adolescent Psychology
PSY 205
Adult Psychology
SOC 101
Introduction to Sociology (recommended) 1
SOC 234
Sociology of Violence
SSC 105
Introduction to Ethnic Studies 1
Select one of the following: 3
ART 113
Art History: Modern Art (Twentieth Century)
MUS 236
Music Literature and History
PHL 106
Ethics
or other Humaninies or Fine Arts course
 Hours13
Semester Two
PSY 107 Applied Psychology: The Psychology of Personal Growth 3
PSY 120 Human Development 3
Select one of the following: 3
EGL 102
Composition II
EGL 111
Introduction to Business and Technical Writing
EGL 212
Technical Writing Applications
SPE 103
Effective Speech
Select one of the following: 3
ANT 102
Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
GEG 122
Cultural Geography 3
PSC 202
International Relations 3
SSC 201
Introduction to Global Studies 3
 Hours12
Second Year
Semester One
HSV 110 Counseling/Interviewing 3
HSV 121 Assessment, Treatment Planning, and Addiction Strategies 3
PSY 203 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior 3
PSY 234 Family Systems and the Addictive Process 3
PSY 237 Psychopharmacology 3
 Hours15
Semester Two
HSV 122 Cross Cultural Consideration in Counseling 3
HSV 210 Counseling/Interviewing II 3
PSY 235 Psychology of Group Behavior 3
PSY 238 Substance Use and Related Disorders 3
 Hours12
Third Year
Semester One
HSV 250 Substance Abuse Practicum I 4
 Hours4
Semester Two
HSV 255 Substance Abuse Practicum II 4
 Hours4
 Total Hours60
1

Course fulfills the U.S. Diversity Studies requirement. At least one U.S. Diversity Studies course is required for degree completion.

2

Course fulfills both the Global Studies and U.S. Diversity Studies requirements.

3

Course fulfills the Global Studies requirement. At least one Global Studies course is required for degree completion.

Note: Pre-major is a recommended sequence and selection of courses. Part-time students should contact the department chair to discuss a part-time pathway as well as course prerequisites and recommendations.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate fundamental examples on addiction and the effects on individual, family and society.
  2. Explain the principles and processes of human physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social development including basic abnormal psychology and effects of substance use on growth and development.
  3. Demonstrate basic counseling skills in working with individuals, groups, and families relative to alcohol and other substance use issues.
  4. Assess and diagnose clients using ASAM and DSM -V alcohol and substance use disorder criteria.
  5. Articulate orally and in writing substance use theory and therapy models.
  6. Develop a treatment plan based on a biopsychosocial assessment of the individual’s strengths, weaknesses, problems, and needs.
  7. Provide client education to individuals, groups, and families on alcohol and substance use disorders.
  8. Articulate the professional codes of ethics and standards of practice; apply principles and core functions from the Illinois Certification Board Code of Ethics in professional activities and interactions.
  9. Apply the eligibility requirements and criteria for specific delivery models of service.
  10. Define what services are offered in treatment modalities with applicable regulations and limits of each.
  11. Discuss cultural diversity and responsive approaches when providing counseling to individuals, groups, and families.
  12. Through mastery of all required substance abuse counseling and general education courses, be qualified to obtain a counseling position in a substance abuse treatment facility and/or hospital and criminal justice system.
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