Courses

Below is the list of courses required to complete the program. Courses are generally taken sequentially, one at a time, until the program is complete. Full course descriptions may be viewed by clicking on the course titles below. For further information, feel free to contact us.

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ADC-202 Principles of Addictions Counseling4 Hours
- This course will provide both an overview of addictions counseling and a focus on group interaction skills and the management of individual and professional priorities. Some of the areas covered will include behavioral style and analysis, communication processes within groups, goal setting, prioritizing, and time-management. The remainder of the course material will address major concepts and themes in the field of addictions. Many of these themes will be connected to the student's sense of "life calling". A Christian understanding of the human dilemma of addiction will be developed. This course is intended to be a practically oriented survey course, which offers a useful overview of the field of addictions integrated with the concept of life calling.
ADC-210 Addictions Theory3 Hours
- The course is intended to introduce the student to major theories of addiction and compulsive behaviors. Students will consider addictions and case examples from a variety of theoretical perspectives. In addition to the substance addiction, the course will introduce the following topics: eating disorders, sexual compulsivity, and pathological gambling. The course will examine addictions from biological, psychological, social and spiritual domaines. Additionally, individual, family, and cultural perspectives will be explored. The course will emphasize familiarity with the current research in the addictions counseling field.
PSY-250 Developmental Psychology3 Hours
- A survey of human development and changes throughout the life cycle.
SOC-210 Minority Group Relations3 Hours
- An analysis of dominant-minority group interaction with special emphasis given to Native American, African-American, Hispanic-American, and Asian-American minorities in our society. Meets intercultural requirement.
PSY-322 Physiological Psychology3 Hours
- A study of the neurophysiology that underlies human behavior. Emphasis will be given to the mechanisms of the central nervous system which mediate sensation, perception, consciousness, motivation, learning, and emotional behavior.
ADC-212 Psychopharmacology3 Hours
- This course is intended to introduce the student to drug administration, absorption, movement, and drug-receptor interactions. Students will learn the psychoactive properties of each class of psychoactive drugs including the respective withdraw abstinence syndromes. Students will become familiar with current research in regard to biochemical abnormalities and their proposed role in behavioral disorders. Students will also become familiar with the etiology and treatment of co-occurring disorders. The course will also provide an overview of clinical practice guidelines for treating psychological and substance use disorders, including the use, strengths and limitations of pharmacologic treatments.
PSY-366 Psychology of Abnormal Behavior3 Hours
- Systematic study of behavior pathology with special reference on forms of abnormal behavior, etiology, dynamics, and treatment.
ADC-310 Addictions Counseling Skills3 Hours
- This course is designed to familiarize the student with the eight practice dimensions necessary for effective performance as an addictions counselor: clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral; service coordination; counseling; client, family and community education; documentation; and professional and ethical responsibilities. These dimensions along with their associated 12 core competencies, as defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), are the established national standards for addiction counseling practice. These standards are also utilized by state and national addictions counselor certification/license examinations. In this course, the student will develop entry level knowledge and skills across the eight practice dimensions that will help ready them for entering the addictions counseling field. Considerable emphasis will be placed on evidenced-based practices.
PSY-370 Theories of Personality3 Hours
- A survey of some of the major theories of personality development and the parallel therapeutic approaches. The purpose is an attempt to explain shared human nature as well as individual differences. Critical evaluation of the theories from a Christian perspective is a vital component of this class. The course also qualifies as a "writing across the curriculum" course and involves creating and developing the student's own personality theory.
ADC-320 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling3 Hours
- The course is intended to introduce the student to the basic issues of group therapy and group therapy with substance abusers. Emphasis will be given to understanding the group process, artful group facilitation, and tailoring interventions to work with clients in the various stages of the change process. Students will become familiar with the 11 therapeutive factors as outlined by Yalom. The course will include an experiential component, with all students participating in an actual group experience. Students will develop an understanding of group process issues, group facilitation skills, and the merits of curriculum-based group treatment.
ADC-330 Counseling Addicted and Dysfunctional Family Systems3 Hours
- The course is intended to familiarize the student with a systems view of substance abuse and family life. Students will compare and contrast individual and systemic orientations to assessments, case conceptualization, and intervention. Students will learn the essential characteristics of working systemically as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. This course will address common relational patterns in substance dependent families, systemic approaches to facilitating change, and recovery as a developmental process. Students will examine the various schools of family therapy and the importance of cultural competence.
ADC-458 Addiction Programs and Professional Development3 Hours
- This course will address contemporary perspectives, interventions, and treatment planning in the addictions field as well as their historical origins. Particular emphasis will be given to evidenced-based and ethical practice as well as work with diverse populations. Students will examine the NAADAC Code of Ethics and explore ethical dilemmas and decision-making. Student will examine evidence-based practices with special populations, including dually-diagnosed clients and those with HIV/AIDS.
ADC-461 Addictions Counseling Practicum I2-3 Hours
- This course is intended to provide the student with practical experience in the area of addictions. Students may be assigned to community organizations providing addictions treatment in order to gain experience in the addictions practice dimensions and core functions. Elements of substance abuse assessment, treatment planning and counseling methods and techniques will be analyzed. Students will also meet weekly in a practicum supervision group to discuss their field placement experiences and the various practice, professional and ethical issues that they encounter. For CAS students, all students, in this section will be assigned to the Behavioral Sciences Counseling Center for this practicum where they will learn, practice and gain proficiency in the essential basic counseling skills needed to successfully engage clients in a collaborative helping relationship. Students will also gain experience in the process of developing and negotiating treatment plans with clients. A total of 50 hours of practice lab experience is required for this course. These counseling skills will provide the foundational skills for the off-site addictions counseling practicum experiences to follow.
ADC-462 Addictions Counseling Practicum II2-3 Hours
- This course is intended to provide the student with practical experience in the area of addictions. Students will be assigned to community organizations providing addictions treatment in order to gain experience in the addictions practice dimensions and core functions. Elements of substance abuse assessment, treatment planning and counseling methods and techniques will be analyzed. Students will also meet weekly in a practicum supervision group to discuss their field placement experiences and the various practice, professional and ethical issues that they encounter. Additionally, students will read and review current research related to professional practice. Each section requires 175 hours at the field placement site. A minimum of 350 cumulative hours is required for program graduates which also meets state and national standards. Students are encouraged to complete the sequence over the course of two semesters.
ADC-463 Addictions Counseling Practicum III2-3 Hours
- See ADC-462. CAS students are also required to take the national alcohol and drug counselor's examination in this section.
ADC-464 Addictions Counseling Practicum IV2 Hours
- See ADC-461; this course is only available to students in the baccalaureate program.

45 credit hours

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Courses

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