Human Services & Substance Abuse Studies Certificate

Students in the human services program
Program Code: C45380L1

Human Services & Substance Abuse Studies Certificate

This certificate offers students an opportunity to learn about substance abuse and professional human services practice. The certificate has been designed to enhance the professional knowledge base of individuals who have obtained or who desire to obtain entry-level employment in human services settings, particularly those serving individuals affected by substance abuse issues.

The certificate’s course work can be of particular value to:

  1. Workers already employed in the human services field who desire to increase their knowledge of substance abuse and professional human services practice.
  2. Individuals seeking to obtain or renew credentials as a substance abuse professional through the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB); consult the NCSAPPB website for credentialing requirements.
  3. Students who are currently completing or who have previously completed the requirements of the College’s associate degree in Human Services Technology who desire to expand their knowledge of substance abuse as a component of wider human services practice.

Specific Requirements

  1. General college admission requirements.
  2. At least 50% of the credit hours required for the certificate must be completed at the College.
  3. Compliance with the expectations and standards outlined in the Human Service Technology student handbook.
  4. Students pursuing the certificate should be aware that employers in the human services field (substance abuse and otherwise) can require prospective volunteers, interns, and employees to pass criminal background, drug screen, and citizenship verification checks before they will be allowed to work at an organization.

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: DDT, HSE, and SAB

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces interpersonal concepts and group dynamics. Emphasis is placed on self-awareness facilitated by experiential learning in small groups with an analysis of personal experiences and the behavior of others. Upon completion, students should be able to show competence in identifying and explaining how people are influenced by their interactions in group settings. Check with the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board (NCSAPPB) to verify if this course has been approved for training/education credit for substance abuse certification/recertification.

This course covers the pharmacology of psychoactive drugs and abused chemicals and treatment options. Emphasis is placed on the use of psychoactive drugs and related psychological and social complexities, including models for prevention and treatment. Upon completion, students should be able to understand and identify theories of addiction, major classes of drugs, treatment alternatives, and social repercussions.

This course explores the physical, emotional, psychological, and cultural aspects of the addictive process. Emphasis is placed on addictions to food, sex, alcohol, drugs, work, gambling, and relationships. Upon completion, students should be able to identify the effects, prevention strategies, and treatment methods associated with addictive disorders.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course identifies the characteristics and causes of various disabilities. Topics include the history of service provision, human rights, legislation and litigation, advocacy, and accessing support services. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of current and historical developmental disability definitions and support systems used throughout the life span.

This course covers the crises affecting children and adolescents in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on abuse and neglect, suicide and murder, dysfunctional family living, poverty, and violence. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and discuss intervention strategies and available services for the major contemporary crises affecting children and adolescents.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course provides theory and skills acquisition by utilizing intervention strategies designed to obtain therapeutic information, support recovery, and prevent relapse. Topics include counseling individuals and dysfunctional families, screening instruments, counseling techniques and approaches, recovery and relapse, and special populations. Upon completion, students should be able to discuss issues critical to recovery, identify intervention models, and initiate a procedure culminating in cognitive/behavioral change.

This course is effective 2022FA.
 

Total Credit Hours Required:
17

The Human Services & Substance Abuse Studies Certificate is offered in a 100% online format. Distance learning allows the degree to be completed around the student’s personal schedule without the need to travel to a physical location.

Curriculum is based on the 2023-24 catalog.

Good To Know

Why General Education?

You may be asking yourself, “Why do I have to take (course name) when it is not directly related to my major?”

General Education courses will help you develop skills necessary to be successful in your major and in life. General Education can teach you how to talk to your employer, write a paper in a major course, understand interest rates on your car, and much more. General Education can also give you the skills to be a better member of society and a more informed citizen. Critical thinking, global understanding, and appreciation for the human experience are hallmarks of a well-rounded education.

How many hours of General Education do I have to take?

If you are enrolled in an Associate of Applied Science Degree program, a minimum of 15 general education hours are required in the following categories:

  • Six hours from Communication
  • Three hours from Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Three hours from Social & Behavioral Science
  • Three hours from Natural Science & Mathematics

General Education courses have been pre-selected for you by your faculty from the following list:

Communication Humanities & Fine Arts Social & Behavioral Science Natural Science & Mathematics
COM-110 ART-111 ECO-251 BIO-161
COM-120 ART-114 ECO-252 BIO-163
COM-231 ART-115 HIS-111 BIO-168
ENG-110 HUM-110 HIS-112 MAT-110
ENG-111 HUM-115 HIS-131 MAT-121
ENG-112 MUS-110 HIS-132 MAT-143
ENG-114 MUS-112 POL-120 MAT-152
  PHI-215 PSY-150 MAT-171
  PHI-240 SOC-210 PHY-110/110A
    SOC-225 PHY-121

 

Degrees designed to transfer to universities require more general education hours. If you are enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science, you are required to take 45 hours of General Education from the following categories:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six to nine hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six to nine hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to eight hours in Mathematics
  • Four to eight hours in Natural Sciences
  • 11 to 14 additional General Education hours

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Engineering, you are required to take 42 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six work hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • 12 hours in Mathematics
  • 12 hours in Natural Sciences

If you are enrolled in the Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts, you are required to take 25 general education hours from the following:

  • Six hours in English Composition
  • Six hours in Communication / Humanities & Fine Arts
  • Six hours in Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Three to four hours in Mathematics
  • Four hours in Natural Sciences

Additional information about General Education for transfer degrees, including courses that satisfy each category, may be found in the current College Catalog.

What will I learn in General Education?

At A-B Tech, our faculty have designed a general education core so that A-B Tech graduates will
learn the following:

Students will critically evaluate information:

  • Students will demonstrate information literacy.
  • Students will critique works of human expression.
  • Students will analyze scientific literature.

Students will solve problems:

  • Students will identify processes.
  • Students will analyze problems.
  • Students will interpret the results.
  • Students will recommend appropriate strategies or solutions.

Students will effectively communicate.

  • Students will communicate appropriately about the subject.
  • Students will communicate appropriately with the audience.
  • Students will communicate appropriately for the medium.

Ever wonder how A-B Tech awards credit for a certain course?

A-B Tech complies with the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges Code, so your courses are assigned the course level and receive the same amount of credit as courses at all 58 North Carolina Community Colleges.

If you want to read more about this, see the A-B Tech Policy and Procedure for the Assignment of Course Level Credit.

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