Program Requirements

First Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

550-200Introduction to the SUDC Profession3Spring only | Program studentExplore characteristics that are incorporated into substance use counseling and practice. Determine personal values, beliefs, strengths, and weaknesses. Analyze the eight practice dimensions used to effectively treat substance use disorders: Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Referral; Service Coordination; Counseling; Patient, Family and Community Education; Documentation; and Professional and Ethical Responsibilities. Evaluate legal and ethical issues surrounding substance use counseling. Evaluate information about Wisconsin licensing for substance use counseling.

550-201Understanding Substance Use3Spring onlyExplore the bio-psych social dynamics of substance use. Examine treatment approaches, models, and screening criteria. Examine substances of abuse, history of SUDs, and their impact on the individual and society.

550-210Boundaries & Ethics - Helping Professions3Spring only | Program studentEvaluate the ethical codes of the helping professions. Examine professional boundaries related to the helping professions. Incorporate ethical standards into decision making processes. Examine ethical considerations related to professional standards for the helping professions. Examine ethical considerations related to state and federal regulations for the helping professions. Examine the ethical considerations related to professional self-care.

801-136English Composition 13This course is designed for learners to develop knowledge and skills in all aspects of the writing process. Planning, organizing, writing, editing, and revising are applied through a variety of activities. Students will analyze audience and purpose, use elements of research and format documents using standard guidelines. Individuals will develop critical reading skills through analysis of various written documents.

801-219English Composition 13English Composition 1 develops critical thinking, reading, writing, listening, and speaking for both exposition and argumentation. The course emphasizes college-level writing skills supported by reasoning, organization, and language conventions for research, presentations, and other discourse.

809-188Developmental Psychology3This is the study of human development throughout the lifespan. This course explores developmental theory and research with an emphasis on the interactive nature of the biological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that affect the individual from conception to death. Application activities and critical thinking skills will enable students to gain increased knowledge and understanding of themselves and others. It is recommended that either Intro to Psychology (809-198) or Psychology of Human Relations (809-199) be completed before taking this course.

809-198Intro to Psychology3This introductory course in psychology is a survey of the multiple aspects of human behavior. It involves a survey of the theoretical foundations of human functioning in such areas as learning, motivation, emotions, personality, deviance and pathology, physiological factors, and social influences. Additional topics include research methods, biological and environmental impacts, development, sensation and perception, consciousness, intelligence and stress. This course directs the student to an insightful understanding of the complexities of human relationships in personal, social, and vocational settings.

809-251General Psychology3The course will encompass all aspects of the field of psychology from basic research to psychological disorders and treatments. This course will explore the areas of psychology through psychological, environmental, and biological perspectives. The course directs the student to be able to understand and analyze human behavior in everyday life. This is a two hundred 200-level psychology course designed to transfer to the university system, and it includes greater emphasis on psychological theory and research as compared with the 100-level Introduction to Psychology course.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Second Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

806-177Gen Anatomy & Physiology4836-133 or 806-134 or concurrent or CHEM Test ScoreExamines basic concepts of human anatomy and physiology as they relate to health sciences. Using a body systems approach, the course emphasizes the interrelationships between structure and function at the gross and microscopic levels of organization of the entire human body. It is intended to prepare health care professionals who need to apply basic concepts of whole body anatomy and physiology to informed decision-making and professional communication with colleagues and patients.

TOTAL CREDITS:4 

Third Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

550-154Culturally Skilled Counseling3Fall only | (550-200 or C200 Test Score) and (550-201 or C201 Test Score) and (550-210 or C210 Test Score) and (809-198 or 809-188 or 809-251) and (550-205 and 550-206 or concurrent)Learners develop an understanding of diversity among people and systems so they can provide substance use disorder counseling services that respond to the differences between and within cultures relative to norms, values, beliefs, communication styles, world views, and political, social, and historical factors. Learners also begin to recognize individual and institutional racism and prejudice, bias in professional training, racial identity development, and cultural competency issues in the substance use disorder counseling profession. Learners engage in self-examination, discussion, class and community activities, and relate these concepts to individualized treatment planning for the substance use disorder patient based on national CLAS standards outlined by the U.S. Office of Minority Health.

550-205Counseling Theory3Fall only | (550-200 or C200 Test Score) and (550-201 or C201 Test Score) and (550-210 or C210 Test Score) and (801-136 or 801-219) and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251)Summarize the history of, and explore the primary concepts within, the major approaches to counseling. Explore the empirical foundations of each theory. Examine application of theories to counseling. Review specific techniques of each theoretical approach. Examine the role of the counselor within each theoretical approach. Explore the role of the counselor, the scope of practice, and the ethical implications in counseling.

550-206Intro to Interviewing & Counseling Skills3Fall only | (550-200 or C200 Test Score) and (550-201 or C201 Test Score) and (550-210 or C210 Test Score) and (801-136 or 801-219) and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251)Analyze foundational skills in the counseling relationship. Analyze the stages of the helping processes and the roles professionals play in the processes. Analyze the importance of establishing therapeutic relationships. Apply basic counseling techniques. Apply interviewing and counseling skills through mock counseling sessions and personal experience reflections. Examine issues of boundaries and ethics.

550-207Psychopharmacology3Fall only | (550-200 or C200 Test Score) and (550-201 or C201 Test Score) and (550-210 or C210 Test Score) and 806-177 and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251)A basic pharmacology course covering mainly drugs capable of altering states of consciousness. Pharmacological classes of drugs studies include: CNS stimulants and depressants, hallucinogens, marijuana, inhalants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and alcohol. Additional topics include: neuroanatomy, the action of agonists and antagonist on cell receptors, dosage calculations, and the development of tolerance. Each drug class studied will discuss the mechanism of action, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, dosage, names (street, generic and brand), approved medical use, chronic and acute toxicity, symptoms of withdrawal, drug interactions, dosage, routes of administration, and available preparations. The use and benefits of both conventional and computer based pharmacological reference material will be stressed. Students will learn the incidence of drug use and abuse in society, the pharmacology of selected drugs, and the principles of altering one's state of consciousness. Students will gain an established personal view of drug use and will be able to communicate their attitudes. Alternatives to substance abuse and approaches to prevention and community resources will be explored.

801-197Technical Reporting3801-136 or 801-219Prepares and presents oral and written technical reports. Types of reports may include lab and field reports, proposals, technical letters and memos, technical research reports, and case studies. Designed as an advanced communication course for students who have completed at least the prerequisite introductory writing course with a grade of "D-".

801-196Oral/Interpersonal Comm3Focuses on developing effective listening techniques and verbal and nonverbal communication skills through oral presentation, group activity, and other projects. The study of self, conflict, and cultural contexts will be explored, as well as their impact on communication.

810-201Fundamentals of Speech3This course includes theoretical examination of the process of communication, the role of speech in self-development, the nature of meaning, and the art of persuasion. It provides practice in selecting speech topics, analyzing audiences, organizing speech content, improving speech delivery, and critiquing speeches via presentation of informative and persuasive speeches. Several graded and non-graded small group discussions sharpen additional communicative skills.

TOTAL CREDITS:18 

Fourth Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

550-202Foundations of Case Management3Spring only | (550-205 and 550-206 and 550-154 or C154 Test Score) and 801-197 and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251); Corequisite: 550-208Introduction to case management techniques and processes. Incorporates intake assessment techniques, service planning techniques, referral processes, coordination of care, and discharge processes determined by a multidisciplinary team approach. Includes client self-determination and autonomy. Incorporates clinical documentation requirements and processes.

550-204Group Facilitation3Spring only | 550-205 and 550-206 and (550-154 or C154 Test Score) and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251); Corequisite: 550-211An introduction to theory and practice of group dynamics and processes. Includes ethical considerations, effective group leadership, and stages of group development. Also includes demonstration of group facilitation skills, clinical documentation, co-facilitation strategies, reflective practitioner techniques, and group formation.

550-208SUDC Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment3Spring only | 550-205 and 550-206 and (550-154 or C154 Test Score) and 801-197 and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251); Corequisite: 550-202Explore the core components of substance use disorder treatment. Apply the core practice dimensions of Substance Use Disorder Counseling. Evaluate process for SUD clients for the purpose of developing treatment plans and documenting the treatment process.

550-211Clinical Experience I3Spring only | 550-205 and 550-206 and 550-207 and 550-154 and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251); Corequisite: 550-204Immersive experience with an agency including supervised practice in the 12 core functions. Integrates the knowledge, theory, skills, and professional behaviors learned in the two previous semesters of coursework. Emphasis on gaining first-hand knowledge and refine previously acquired skills to gain a greater understanding of self and the helping professions.

809-196Intro to Sociology3This course introduces students to the basic concepts of sociology, including culture, race, socialization, gender, group behavior, deviance, social stratification, and social change. Students will use the sociological perspective to analyze major social institutions, multiculturalism, and social issues affecting our selves and society. Students will participate in a variety of experiences to strengthen and demonstrate these perspectives and skills. Critical thinking skills are emphasized, and learning activities include applying sociological theory to current issues in society. The focus is on how social factors and forces influence beliefs and behaviors, both in our personal lives and at work.

809-271Introductory Sociology3Defines and examines concepts and realities of social structure, the social processes that shape behavior, culture, socialization, social groups, and social change. Analyzes concepts and phenomena such as complex organizations, roles, stratification, class, inequality, deviance, and race. Examines institutions such as the family, religion, education, politics, economics and the media.

TOTAL CREDITS:15 

Fifth Semester

Course #Course TitleCreditsPrerequisites/Comments

550-161SUDs & Criminality3Fall only | 550-205 and 550-206 and (550-207 or C207 Test Score) and (550-154 or C154 Test Score) and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251)An introduction to understanding and treating the substance use disorder patient who is also a criminal justice offender. Learners develop an understanding of how substance use issues impact major areas of the criminal justice offender patient's life. Focus is on understanding how the criminal justice system and the cognitive distortions of criminal thinking affect assessment and treatment planning for the patient.

550-203Overview of Mental Health Disorders3Fall only | (550-205 and 550-206 and 550-154 or C154 Test Score) and (809-188 or 809-198 or 809-251)Provides an overview to the history, diagnosis, treatment strategies, legal and ethical considerations, and documentation of mental health conditions. Focus is on understanding the mental health conditions that co-occur with substance use disorders.

550-209Family Systems3Fall only | 550-205 and 550-206 and (550-204 or C204 Test Score) and (809-196 or 809-271)Provides a broad understanding of family systems theory and practice relevant to the human services field. Focus is on evaluating the communication and interaction patterns and applying interventions and strategies.

550-212Clinical Experience II3Fall only | (550-211 or C211 Test Score) and (550-204 or C204 Test Score) and (550-208 or C208 Test Score) and (550-202 or C202 Test Score) and (809-196 or 809-271)Immersion experience with an agency including supervised practice in the 12 core functions. Integrates the knowledge, theory, skills, and professional behaviors learned in previous courses and refined in Clinical I immersion experience. Emphasis on applying previously acquired knowledge and skills and gaining a greater understanding of self and the helping professions through first-hand experience.

TOTAL CREDITS:12