Program Overview
The Substance Use Disorder Counselor Academic Certificate is a one-year professional training that prepares students with the required classroom training and applied onsite practicum experience to work in the field of addictions counseling with individuals and groups as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC). The SUDC-AC consists of six courses totaling 19 credit hours, including a 225-hour internship under the supervision of a licensed addictions counselor. Upon completion of the SUDC-AC, students will be eligible to apply through the Utah Division of Professional Licensing (https://commerce.utah.gov/dopl/) to obtain their state recognized SUDC licensure.
Career Opportunities
Substance use and addiction disorders have become major public health concerns in the United States. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 46.3 million Americans ages 12 and older experienced a substance use disorder in the past year, while only 6% received substance use treatment. Roughly 6% of Utah's population suffer from drug use disorders. Additionally, 84% of Utah's population reside in an area with a shortage of behavioral health counselors, including SUDCs, predominantly along the Wasatch front, which equates to the second worst access to care for services in the United States.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment opportunities for addiction counselors is projected to grow by 22% through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. SUD professionals work in a variety of settings that include inpatient (hospital and residential settings), outpatient (office or clinic), correctional facilities (jail, prison, juvenile detention), community health (methadone and pain management facilities) and peer support educational settings. The BLS reported that the median annual wage for SUDCs in Utah was $49,710 or $23.90 per hour in 2022, and Indeed.com reported a total of 166 SUD positions open in the State of Utah (10/2023).
What You Will Learn
- Employ culturally competent and gender-sensitive approaches to working with diverse groups, populations and communities.
- Demonstrate the professional values and ethical standards of practice set forth by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).
- Apply the 12 Core Functions of Substance Use Disorder Counseling across all levels of the continuum of care.
- Describe the professional skills, responsibilities, appropriate scope of practice, requirements for supervision, and documentation and reporting requirements of a Substance Use Disorder Counselor.
- Apply knowledge of substance use disorder etiology, prevalence, treatment, and rehabilitation to addictions counseling practice.
- Apply the knowledge of the neurobiological, behavioral, emotional, and social effects of psychoactive substances into addictions counseling practice.
Career Outlook
Some careers shown require further education beyond this program.
Additional Information
Program Entry Requirements
Prospective students must complete the Notice of Intent to complete the SLCC Substance Use Disorder Counselor program, which is the SW Programs notification that prospective students intend to enroll in the program in an upcoming semester. For access to the SUDC NOI please email SUDC@slcc.edu. Prior to beginning SLCC SUDC coursework students must have completed the following three prerequisite courses with a minimum of a C grade:
- ENG1010
- PSY1010
- SW2100 or FHS1500 or PSY1100 (Lifespan Human Development).