Chemical Dependency Studies

The Chemical Dependency Studies program is committed to serving a diverse community of students. The department values and emphasizes student-centered learning as well as lifelong learning and fosters community partnerships.

The Chemical Dependency (CD) Studies program is committed to preparing a diverse population of students to work in the field of chemical dependency counseling. The program values and emphasizes student-centered learning, fosters community partnerships, and is dedicated to offering essential skills to empower students for successful, professional career placement.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program the student should be able to:

Begin training in the workforce as interns in the chemical dependency field.
Communicate effectively, applying interpersonal skills and cultural awareness to addiction treatment settings.
Utilize well-defined professional skills to perform basic procedures and approaches to help patients heal.
Understand and communicate the history and evolution of the addiction treatment field.
Utilize and refer to community resources available to those suffering from chemical addiction.

Admission

Program Standards

All persons taking courses in the Chemical Dependency program are expected to comply with the following standards:

Abstinence from the misuse of alcohol and other chemical substances.
No alcohol or other drug use (except drugs prescribed by a physician) immediately prior to attendance in CD studies program classes or assignments.
Persons in recovery from addiction must remain free of alcohol and other drugs (except those drugs prescribed by a physician) at all times.

Department of Health Certification

Certification as a Chemical Dependency Professional by the Department of Health is threefold. Persons must meet an educational requirement, an experiential requirement, and must pass an exam administered by the Department of Health. This process is governed by law, specifically Chapter 246-811 of the Washington State Administrative Code (WAC).

Graduates from the Chemical Dependency Studies program at YVC will meet Washington State’s educational requirements for Department of Health certification as a Chemical Dependency Professional.

The experience component of the WAC requires persons to work under the supervision of a certified Chemical Dependency Professional. The number of hours required during the experience component is dependent upon one’s level of formal education. The experience component is not completed at YVC, nor is it part of the curriculum of the Chemical Dependency Studies program.

Washington State Background Check

In order to become an intern and begin training as a Chemical Dependency Professional Trainee (CDPT), all individuals will be submitted to a background check conducted by the Department of Health upon applying for their credential. The CDPT credential is necessary for employment as a counselor in training.

Programs

Certificate - Professional/Technical

Chemical Dependency Studies Certificate

Associate

Chemical Dependency Studies, AAS