The Alcohol and Drug Studies program is the study of chemical addiction and treatment.  Career paths chosen by students pursuing undergraduate studies in alcohol and drug studies commonly include supervised alcohol and drug counseling. Even students who choose not to major in alcohol and drug studies find that coursework in the field can improve their ability to understand the issues surrounding chemical dependency and treatment.

The College offers a Certificate of Achievement in Alcohol and Drug Studies and a non-transferable Associate of Arts degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies. The Certificate of Achievement is designed to provide students with skills necessary for employment as supervised chemical dependency counselors, as well as advancement toward the California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), CAADE, and CAARR certification. Students earning the certificate may also choose to continue their study toward an Associate of Arts degree in the field. Past recipients of the COD Certificate of Achievement in Alcohol and Drug Studies have obtained positions as supervised chemical dependency counselors, locally and throughout California. Students earning an associate’s degree in Alcohol and Drug Studies may pursue entry level positions as supervised chemical dependency counselors or may chose to continue their study in the discipline toward a bachelor’s or graduate degree in psychology or social work.

Transfer requirements at four year colleges and universities vary from institution to institution; students should consult with an academic advisor for specific information regarding the transfer requirements of their preferred college or university. Please contact program advisors L. Emerson (lemerson@collegeofthedesert.edu) or C. Jones(cjonescage@collegeofthedesert.edu) with questions and concerns. For more information please call (760) 773-2574. 

Requirements for Internship 

1.    Completion of the COD application.

2.    Completion of the eight core courses - HSAD 1, HSAD 2, HSAD 4, HSAD 20, HSAD 22, HSAD 24, HSAD 30, and HSAD 34 with a minimum grade of “C”.

3.    Course currency - completing the eight core courses within five years of applying for the internship OR currently working directly with clients at a substance abuse facility.

4.    24 months of continuous sobriety – required for placement in many facilities.

Advisors: L. Emerson, C. Jones 

ALCOHOL AND DRUG STUDIES CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
A minimum grade of "C" (CAADAC requirement for accreditation) must be earned in all courses for the certificate. In addition, students will be required to have 70% attendance in these courses.
Dept.	No.	Title	Units
Required Courses:
FALL SEMESTER
HSAD	1	Intro to Alcohol/Drug Studies	3
HSAD	2	Intro to Human Services Counseling	3
HSAD	4	Personal & Professional Growth	2
HSAD	24	Law/Ethics: Community Responses	3
Note: HSAD 1, Intro to Alcohol/Drug Studies, is a corequisite for most HSAD courses.
SPRING SEMESTER
HSAD	20	Biomedical-Pharmacology	3
HSAD	22	Case Management	3
HSAD	30	Individual, Group & Family Counseling	3
HSAD	34	Dual Diagnosis	3
INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM
HSAD	32A	Supervised Practicum I	2
HSAD	32B	Supervised Practicum II	2
HSAD	33A	Supervised Internship I	3
HSAD	33B	Supervised Internship II	3
HSAD	36	Counseling Diverse Populations	3
Note: HSAD 36 can be taken while completing the internship - Fall only.
		CERTIFICATE TOTAL	36

The above courses prepare students for the certification options listed below. Please contact the agencies directly with specific questions.

California Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) –http://www.caadac.org

Requirements for certification - Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)

• Passing grade on the examination

• 300 hours of alcohol drug education

• Supervised practicum (300 hours - 45 hours of in-classroom participation and 255 internship)

• 6000 hours or 3 years supervised work experience as an alcohol and drug counselor

California Association of Addiction Recovery Resources (CAARR) – http://www.caarr.org

Requirements for certification - Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS)

• Passing grade on the examination

• 200 hours of approved alcohol and drug education

• Supervised practicum of 160 hours at an approved agency

• 2080 hours or one year of supervised work experience as an alcohol drug counselor

California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) – http://www.caade.org

Requirements for certification - Certified Addictions Treatment Counselor (CATC)

• Passing grade on the examination

• 2240 supervised clinical hours at a State Licensed AOD facility (which include the hours completed in your field experience/practicum/fieldwork class at college and any supervised/verifiable work at a State Licensed AOD facility, dating back 5 years from when you apply for initial certification). 

 Breining Institute in Northern California - http://www.breining.edu

Requirements for certification - Registered Addiction Specialist (RAS) 

• 155 hrs. formal alcohol or drug classroom education

• 160 hours supervised alcohol or drug training

• 2,080 or more hours work experience providing counseling services in an alcohol or drug or similar program.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG STUDIES ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE for Employment Preparation
Dept.	No.	Title	Units
Required Courses:
FALL SEMESTER
HSAD	1	Intro to Alcohol/Drug Studies	3
HSAD	2	Intro to Human Services Counseling	3
HSAD	4	Personal & Professional Growth	2
HSAD	24	Law/Ethics: Community Responses	3
Note: HSAD 1, Intro to Alcohol/Drug Studies, is a corequisite for most HSAD courses.
SPRING SEMESTER
HSAD	20	Biomedical-Pharmacology	3
HSAD	22	Case Management	3
HSAD	30	Individual, Group & Family Counseling	3
HSAD	34	Dual Diagnosis	3
INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM
HSAD	32A	Supervised Practicum I	2
HSAD	32B	Supervised Practicum II	2
HSAD	33A	Supervised Internship I	3
HSAD	33B	Supervised Internship II	3
HSAD	36	Counseling Diverse Populations	3
Note: HSAD 36 can be taken while completing the internship - Fall only.
Electives - 6 units to be chosen from the following courses:
PSY	3	Developmental Psychology	3
PSY	7	Positive Psychology	3
PSY	10	Psychological Aspects of Marriage & Family	3
SP	1	Intro to Interpersonal Communication	3
		Required Subtotal	36
		Elective Subtotal	6
		COD General Education Pattern*	18
		Physical Education Activities	2
		DEGREE TOTAL	62
*Recommended courses: PSY 1, PSY 3 and PSY 10