General Education & Transfer Studies
Prepares students for careers in alcohol and drug counseling. AAS or CAS available.
The Associate of Applied Science in Alcohol and Drug Counseling offered by Mountwest is designed to prepare students for credentialing in the Alcohol and Drug Counseling profession.
In West Virginia, the West Virginia Certification for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) governs the certification of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential. This credential requires six years and six thousand supervised hours of practice to obtain. The AAS trains students in Alcohol and Drug Counseling through academic work and field experience. Upon completion of the AAS, students will have logged experience that counts towards the WV ADC credential and will be aware of expectations and timeline to achieve the credential.
The Certificate of Applied Science in Addiction Studies offered by Mountwest enables students to develop essential skills for growth as helping professionals. The focus of the program is understanding the roles of different practitioners and serving those who struggle with substance-related and addictive disorders. Students will learn theories and techniques of professional counseling, social work, and the broader human services. Students will become familiar with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Health Disorders (DSM-V-TR) and be able to recognize formal diagnoses.
In West Virginia, the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals (WVCBAPP) governs the certification of the Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) credential. This credential requires six years and six thousand supervised hours of practice to obtain. The CAS will help students determine a professional path forward in the helping professions.
Alcohol & Drug Counselors
For the most current salary information, please refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Occupational Outlook Handbook” found online at bls.gov/ooh/.
The college adheres to an open admission policy which means applications with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for admission. Applicants with neither a high school diploma nor GED may be admitted on a conditional basis.
