Addiction Studies Certificate

Certificate in Addiction Studies

A certificate in Addiction Studies prepares students to serve as substance abuse counselors, residential care counselors, specialists in drug or sobriety courts, or to work with addicted populations as probation, parole, or corrections officers. This program will also enhance the skills of persons currently employed in corrections or substance abuse agencies in working with addicted populations.

Substance abuse counselors and residential aides as well as specialty probation and parole officers work with persons having addictive disorders in order to eliminate dependence on drugs or alcohol and reduce criminal behaviors associated with their use of drugs or alcohol. The Michigan Certification Board for Addiction Professionals (MCBAP) requires that certain education and experience requirements be met in order to obtain reciprocal state certification in the areas of addiction counseling, prevention services and substance abuse assessment in the court system. Certification requires specific education coursework in drugs, alcohol, addictive populations, interviewing, counseling with diverse populations, treatment planning, criminal justice, and criminology. The education coursework for credentials as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP) and can be completed as part of an Associate Degree Program in Criminal Justice. Students are advised to discuss specific requirements with the GRCC Corrections Training Coordinator before enrolling.

Probation, parole, and corrections officers working with addictive populations and residential substance abuse counselors generally are required to have a bachelor’s degree as a condition of employment. Persons working as assessment or counseling staff in a substance abuse or mental health agency may be required to have graduate education. Students interested in such work should discuss transferability of Community College work to baccalaureate degree-granting institutions with the GRCC Corrections Training Coordinator before enrolling in the program.

Completion of the following courses will fulfill the education requirements for the CCJP or CADC credential, pending approval by MCBAP.

• CJ 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3/3)
• CJ 243 - Methods of Interviewing (3/3)
• CJ 245 - Substance Abuse (3/3)
• CJ 246 - Alcohol Use and Abuse (3/3)
• CJ 275 - Addiction Treatment with Diverse Populations (3/3)
• COM 135 - Interpersonal Communication (3/3)

Total Credits: 18

Notes: These courses meet the minimum education requirements for the CCJP credential in addiction. Completion of PY 231  or PY 232  in addition to this coursework will meet the minimum education requirements for the CADC credential in addiction from MCBAP.

Transfer Opportunities:

The Transfer Guide for many bachelor’s degree majors offered at Michigan colleges and universities is available at the Counseling and Career Center and online at www.grcc.edu.