Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Law and Public Service Pathway Icon

Program Available at:

  • Eastfield

For more information, visit the Dallas College Substance Abuse Counseling webpage and your academic advisor at the Eastfield Campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing a Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate. Courses from this certificate may apply to the related A.A.S. degree. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

The Substance Abuse Counseling certificate is designed to provide cross-training for helping professionals in other disciplines, i.e. bachelor and master level social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, criminal justices, etc. It also trains students for employment as a counselor intern. Students are required to complete a 336-hour Practicum experience at an approved agency before applying for Counselor Intern status from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Courses that complete the Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate are noted below.

Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites, as long as the student completes the TSI waiver form prior to enrollment.


Catalog Year       2021-2022  You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type       Level I Certificate

GPA Requirement       Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI       May be Exempt


SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

CERTIFICATE MINIMUM: 33 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

SCWK 1321 – Orientation to Social Services

SCWK 2311 – Interviewing and Counseling Theories

DAAC 1304 – Pharmacology of Addiction

DAAC 2341 – Counseling Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions

DAAC 1309 – Assessment of Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your advisor to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  2. Meet with a career advisor or coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.

Total Hours: 15

SEMESTER 2

SOCI 2340 – Drug Use and Abuse

SCWK 2301 – Assessment and Case Management

DAAC 2330 – Multicultural Counseling

DAAC 2307 – Addicted Family Intervention

SCWK 1305 – Group Work Intervention

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your advisor to request an official program of study audit and confirm or update your academic/career path.
  2. Meet with faculty or a career advisor regarding placement for the Practicum course.
  3. Meet with a career advisor or coach for assistance in preparing for job search.

Total Hours: 15​

SEMESTER 3

DAAC 2366 – Practicum (or Field Experience)-Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your advisor to apply for Substance Abuse Counseling Certificate

Total Hours: 3

 PATHWAY TOTAL: 33 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS