Chemical Dependency - Course Planning

The scientific and interpersonal skills you acquire at Seattle Central will set you up for long-term success in a rewarding career as a Chemical Dependency Specialist.

Note: the majority of our classes are offered Hybrid.

Core Courses
Prefix Course Credits
SHS 106 Principles of Interviewing and Counseling 5
Intro to beginning–level interviewing and counseling skills in multicultural settings. Demonstration of human services values and knowledge of diverse populations' needs through counseling techniques: developing relationships; identifying problems, solutions and goals; and evaluating progress. Prereqisite: ENGL& 101, SHS 100, SHS 103 with a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Eligible for MAT 084.
SHS 108 Group Dynamics & Counseling 5
Intro to group work, including group processes, communication patterns, group and individual goal–setting, leadership and decision–making. Includes group participation, role–playing and simulations. Prereq or corequisite: ENGL& 102.
Technical Specialty Courses
Prefix Course Credits
SHS 150* HIV/AIDS Brief Risk Intervention 1
Includes history, trends, transmission, infection control, testing, counseling, BRI and psychosocial issues. Meets requirements for human services and chemical dependency professionals. Approved by the WA State Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.
SHS 210* Intro to Diversity in Human Services Practice 3
This course examines U.S. society and the diversity within it as well as the effects of societal structures on clients. Topics include an overview of general principles of cultural diversity and cross-cultural services delivery to individuals from many diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite or corequisite of ENGL& 102; prerequisite SHS 100, 103 with a minimum GPA of 2.0; eligibility MATH084.
SHS 215* Adolescent Development and Treatment 5
Focuses on adolescent development and concurrent social, cultural and sexual problems. Includes theory of normal and deviant behavior development, treatment theory and practice and effective use of community resources.
SHS 232* Chemical Dependency and the Family 3
This class provides an overview of how families function as systems and examines the impact of chemical dependency upon the family system. Students will think about theories not only in terms of how well they fit for clients but in terms of their own personal histories. The theoretical models are relevant for families of a variety of cultural, ethnic and sexual identities. Prerequisite: eligibility for ENGL& 101 and MAT 084.
SHS 233* Chemical Dependency Counseling 5
This course is an overview of specialized techniques, major competencies and theoretical approaches to addiction counseling, including individual, group and family approaches. Ethical behavior, theoretical knowledge and client diversity is stressed to become a proficient addiction professional.
SHS 235* Drug Addiction and Society 5
Overview of the problems and responses associated with the physiological, psychological, psychosocial, and systemic concerns related to use, misuse, abuse, and dependency.  Discussion of current responses ranging from prevention to treatment and social issues.
SHS 270* Ethics in Human Services and Chemical Dependency 5
Explores ethical behavior and analysis and utilization of ethical codes that apply to human services, mental health and chemical dependency professionals. Covers ethical reasoning processes, ethical theory and ethical analysis.
SHS 280* Chemical Dependency Case Management 3
Emphasis on oral and written communication skills. Formulate up–to–date, accurate and understandable case files and records. Learn federal and state confidentiality regulations in handling chemical dependent client records. Formulate concise treatment plans in accordance with legal requirements.
SHS 296* Special Topics 1
Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
SHS 297 Special Topics 2
Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
SHS 298 Special Topics 3
Receive credit for participation in approved human services professional workshops on topics such as stress management, welfare rights, aging, alcoholism, family therapy, depression, law and mental health.
Field Placement Courses
Prefix Course Credits
CDS 197 Field Practicum: Chemical Dependency 3
Supervised community–based field experience in which students apply knowledge and develop skills by working in public and private agencies and organizations.
CDS 198 Field Practicum: Chemical Dependency 3
Supervised community–based field experience in which students apply knowledge and develop skills by working in public and private agencies and organizations.
CDS 199 Field Practicum: Chemical Dependency 4
Supervised community–based field experience in which students apply knowledge and develop skills by working in public and private agencies and organizations.
Related Instruction
Prefix Course Credits
ENGL& 101 English Composition 5
Covers academic writing and major strategies of reading and writing analytically. Focuses on engaging and responding to a variety of texts. Through revision and reflection, develop skills as readers, writers and critical thinkers.
PSYC& 100* General Psychology 5
Intro to the scientific study of human behavior, including learning and thinking, development, perception, motivation, emotion, personality and individual differences, social and abnormal behavior and research methods.
PSYC& 200* Lifespan Psychology 5
Survey of human physical, psychological and social development from conception through death. Emphasis on major developmental theories, research and research methods of studying life–span development.
PSYC& 207* Development Psychology 5
Survey of human physical, psychological and social development from conception through death. Emphasis on major developmental theories, research and research methods of studying life–span development.

Certificate

Total Program Credits: 66-71

Class Schedule

* Washington State law requires completion of specific credits in chemical dependency, plus an HIV/AIDS course (SHS 150) to practice as a chemical dependency counselor. Additional coursework is designed to further enhance your skills and employability. In addition, an associate degree or its academic equivalent in any area and 2,000 clock hours of supervised clinical work are required to become a fully state–qualified chemical dependency counselor. The curriculum meets the State of Washington Department of Alcohol and Substance Abuse and the Chemical Dependency Counselor Certification Board requirements to become a fully state–qualified chemical dependency counselor.
** Multicultural Counseling, Adolescent Treatment, as well as Relapse Prevention, can be taken as a SHS 296 Human Services workshop.