Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

Students must have access to a laptop, computer, or device with a keyboard, and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off-campus.

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Pre-Program Information

Students who have pre-program status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-program status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, admission requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Program Health Advisement page.

Criminal Background Check

This is an admission requirement. Students will be provided direction on how to request a criminal background check from a third party vendor. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial will result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Courses Available to Pre-Program Students

By completing the courses listed below ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-program students complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-program students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially.

These courses are typical for pre-program students:

• 809-198 Intro to Psychology or 809-251 General Psychology or 809-188 Developmental Psychology
• 801-136 English Composition 1 or 801-219 English Composition 1
• 801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication or 810-201 Fundamentals of Speech
• 806-177 General Anatomy & Physiology (high school or college chemistry or 836-133 Prep for Basic Chemistry is a co-requisite)
• 801-197 Technical Reporting
• 809-196 Introduction to Sociology or 809-271 Introductory Sociology

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program requirements may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Demanding Coursework

The SUDC program is academically rigorous and demanding. Consider taking the general education courses (800 numbered courses) during summer semester or before entry into program courses. Students wanting to attend part-time should take all general education courses prior to starting as a program student. SUDC students are encouraged to take 200-level general education courses in lieu of 100-level courses for stronger academic preparation and future credit transferability. Program courses (550s) are designed to be taken in consecutive semesters for optimum learning and to ensure students can successfully complete the program in a timely manner. Students are expected to complete the program as outlined on the program requirements sheet published at the time of their program admission. Students who interrupt their individual academic plan will experience delays in completing their program. It is strongly recommended that students meet with an academic advisor to be sure they are on track with their academic plan. A grade of B- (80%) or better is required in all core program courses and a grade of C or better is required in all general education courses.

Helpful Background

Students accepted for enrollment in the SUDC program must abide by the substance abuse counselor code book, Chapter SPS 164, established by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Understanding the code is very important. Violation of any of the rules and/or code will result in dismissal from the program. The Rules Regarding Unprofessional Conduct are found at http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/professional_services/160/164.

Program Information

Pre-Entrance Health History and Physical Exam

A pre-entrance health history and physical examination must be completed and on file three weeks prior to entering the core courses of this program. The Admissions Office will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline. 

Clinical Experiences

Clinical courses that provide hands-on experience in the profession are UNPAID experiences. Students will attend regularly scheduled clinical hours at agency sites off-campus concurrently with on-campus classes. Scheduled clinical days and times for which students must be available vary by agency. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to plan in advance for scheduling needs (childcare, work schedule, etc.) and financial challenges (gas, lack of availability for paid work, etc.) in semesters with clinical courses. Local clinical sites cannot be guaranteed. Students may have to move or drive a distance in order to complete clinical courses. Program faculty select, assign, and maintain college contracts with clinical sites.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024 @ 11:47 a.m.