Substance Use Disorder Counseling
Course Descriptions for Substance Abuse Counseling
SAC
151 - Foundations of Best Practice 4 credits
This course introduces students to a broad area of services in which the understanding of substance abuse, and the treatment of such issues is an important part of being competent with regard to helping people in the counseling profession. During the course of study students will explore ethics and boundaries, different view of addiction, treatment modalities, and treatment applications. Issues related to substance abuse will also be covered. This course is pre-requisite to all other professional courses.
SAC 101 - Program
Design and Management 4 credits
This course introduces students to a variety of treatment modalities. Students will be required to select a particular model of treatment, design a service program which corresponds to this model, including policies and procedures. They will further design treatment processes, and incorporate into their services a make believe client who they will begin to work with while utilizing many of the functions used in treatment services. The program they design will incorporate the standards set forth in HFS-75 of the Wisconsin Codes. This program will follow them through the rest of their studies. This course is pre-requisite to all other courses.
SAC 161 -
Professional Readiness and Responsibilities 4 credits
This course covers in depth studies of ethics, counselor responsibilities, and cultural competencies. It further will explore counselor conduct including boundaries and other behaviors which may influence professional levels of practice. This course will also explore students attitudes.
SAC 200 - Clinical
Evaluation and Treatment Planning 4 credits
This course examines a variety of processes used to screen and assess needs of clients. Students will be introduced to a number of screening and assessment tools. They will conduct screening, assessment, and other processes designed to evaluate the status of potential clients for treatment in their program. Students will further examine procedures for developing and implementing a treatment plan on behalf of their client.
SAC 210 - The
Counseling Practice 4 credits
Students will be introduced to a variety of counseling approaches to counseling people who are experiencing problems with addiction and problems related to substance abuse. They will be given the opportunity for practicing their counseling skills in working with individuals, groups, couples, and families. This is a highly experiential course, and students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
SAC 220 - Educating
Individuals, Families, and Communities 4 credits
This course explores the areas of addiction education. Students will be introduced to a number of scenarios which call for educating individuals, families, and/or communities. They will be given the opportunity to design educational programs in these areas of service delivery, and demonstrate their ability to carry out such activities.
SAC 291 - Clinical
Supervision CAPSTONE 3 credits
This course is twofold in that students will be introduced to the experience of being supervised, and secondly, they will assume the role of clinical supervisor and perform these tasks in class. Students will be expected to perform as counselors in such ways as to meet with the expectations of clinical supervisors, and then perform the tasks of a clinical supervisor. Students will also prepare for exit exams from the degree program.
SAC 292 -
Transferring Technology CAPSTONE 3 credits
This course introduces students to challenges of incorporating research into practice. They will examine ways and means of acquiring best practice information, and transitioning this new found knowledge into their practice. They will experience some of the difficulties in bringing about this transition in the workplace, and learn about strategies to overcome these difficulties. Time will also be given to preparation for exit exams from the degree program.