Addiction Counseling

The advanced addiction certificate allows students to begin work in the addictions counseling field at an entry level position. The Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse training program (AODA) at St. Augustine College is accredited by the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association, Inc. (IAODAPCA). After completing the training program at the college including required supervision in a field placement, students receive a St. Augustine College certificate of completion. Students in training are eligible to take the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC exam). Students receive the CADC certificate from IAODAPCA after they meet all of the IAODAPCA requirements which may include some additional work experience. Students with an advanced addictions certificate may have fewer addictions work requirements to meet than students with less addictions field practicum experience. Potential students are advised to speak directly with the IAODAPCA for information about work requirements.

St. Augustine College students who are completing an Associate Degree or a Bachelor degree in Social Work may simultaneously earn an advanced certificate in addiction counseling. IAODAPCA requires students in training for the advanced certificate have a degree with a concentration or major in a Behavioral Science or Social Services field.

Please note: St. Augustine College has not offered a "preparatory certificate" in addictions counseling since Spring 2011 because employers are generally seeking students with a higher education degree as well as a CADC certificate.

Addiction Counseling Advanced

Students at St. Augustine College take 4 (4 credit hr) courses that cover the core substance abuse core competencies. They also take a final Addiction Counseling Practicum Seminar (4 credit hr) and complete 6 credit hours of field practicum that consists of 500 hours of supervision by a certified alcohol and drug counselor. Classroom training at St. Augustine provides 240 clock hours of class training specific to alcohol and other drug abuse. IAODAPCA requires a minimum of 225 clock hours in the classroom. The supervised field practicum is planned, coordinated, and evaluated with the field director at the college. After completing an AA degree, AGS degree**, or BSW and the courses above, students receive from the college a certificate of completion that is sent to IAODAPCA. The IAODAPCA organization will notify the student directly of work requirements and exam procedures beyond the training and field supervision received at the college. IAODAPCA recommends that students apply to take the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) exam within 18 months of completing the college program.

To apply to the addictions counseling program students should first apply to the college (see admissions). They will meet with an advisor in Student Services while they are seeking an associate degree. Students are encouraged to declare their intention to enter the Advanced Addictions Program as early as possible and meet with the addictions field program director for assistance with academic advising and planning the field placement. This should be done the year before they plan to start their field practicum for addictions.

Potential students who already have an appropriate college degree are eligible to enter the program if the degree meets requirements of IAODAPCA for a major in Social Science, Social Services, Psychology or a related field. Additionally students must satisfy the college residency requirements for a certificate of completion at St. Augustine. Students who have a college diploma and are continuing for the Addictions certificate should seek advising in the Addictions department after their application to the college and evaluation of their college transcripts.

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**Students who seek an Associate of General Studies (AGS) degree at St. Augustine College are also required by IAODAPCA to take one additional 200 level psychology course to obtain the certificate of completion. Also, in order for the AGS degree to be acceptable to IAODAPCA, students are required to continuously attend college (with no breaks) when working toward the degree. The IAODAPCA website can be accessed through the following link: www.iaodapca.org