Substance Use & Recovery Counseling Undergraduate Certificate

Substance Use & Recovery Counseling

Undergraduate Certificate

Program Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

33 Credits

About the Program

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The Substance Use and Recovery Counseling undergraduate certificate program contributes to the mission of the Department of Counseling and Human Services by preparing students to provide culturally- responsive, trauma-informed substance use counseling services.

The curriculum is designed to meet the core curriculum standards set forth by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and to help students become certification-eligible.

Alignment of SURC Courses with CAT & CAS Required Coursework


In the state of Colorado, students pursuing the Certified Addiction Technician (CAT), and Certified Addiction Specialist (CAS) credentials must meet specific educational requirements (e.g. completion of a High School diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree), complete a minimum number of supervised fieldwork hours, and complete specific substance use courses. Some of the required substance use courses must be completed at a BHA approved clinical training site.

The UCCS Substance Use and Recovery Counseling (SURC) program is an approved clinical training site, thus all courses completed may be used when applying for the CAT, and CAS credentials.


Why complete your CAT, and/or CAS coursework at UCCS? When completing your CAT and/or CAS coursework at UCCS, you are earning college credit. The SURC courses challenge students to develop the knowledge, skills, awareness, and advocacy competencies necessary to excel in the field of substance use treatment. These courses will be reflected on a college transcript, and may contribute to efforts to earn an advanced degree.


Please see the CAC Training Program Handbook for Addictions Counselors for additional details regarding the CAT and CAS application process and requirements, and the Training Facilities tab for list of approved clinical training sites (available using the button below).

 


Focus of Study

Students completing this certificate program engage in the rigorous training and fieldwork experiences necessary to develop the knowledge, skills, awareness, and advocacy competencies necessary for high-quality client care.

  • Principles of addiction treatment
  • Introduction to addiction counseling skills
  • Pharmacology and infectious diseases
  • Introduction to the counseling profession
  • Basic and advanced motivational interviewing
  • Co-occurring disorders and trauma-informed care

Program Requirements

Course content, program length, academic level, admission requirements, and prerequisites for the Substance Abuse and Recovery Counseling course sequence were determined through collaboration with the Office of Behavioral Health Certified Addiction Counselor Clinical Training Program.

Students must complete program-required courses with a passing grade of 70% in each class.


Program Coursework

Course Title Credits
COUN 2400 Ethics I & II 3
COUN 2500 Introduction to Principles of Addiction Treatment 3
COUN 2990 Introduction to Addiction Counseling Skills 3
COUN 3000 Culturally Informed Treatment 3
COUN 3040 Pharmacology I, II & Infectious Diseases 3
COUN 3410 Clinical Assessment and Treatment Planning 3
COUN 3500 Group Dynamics and Group Process 3
COUN 3600 Motivational Interviewing I & II 3
COUN 4830 Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma-Informed Care 3
COUN 4950 Fieldwork in Human Services II 3
COUN 4960 Clinical Supervision for Addictions Counselors 3


For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

 


 

Curious where the BHA required classes for the CAT and CAS are covered in SURC courses? The table below provides an outline of which BHA required courses for the CAT and CAS are covered in each SURC course

 UCCS Undergraduate Addictions and Recovery Certificate

Path to Certification

Certified Addiction Technician (CAT), & Specialist (CAS)

UCCS Substance Use and Recovery Counseling Courses

Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) Required Course(s) Covered

COUN 2990 Introduction to Addiction Counseling Skills (3 credit hours)

Addiction Counseling Skills (CAT Course, 21 clock hours)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CAS Course, 14 clock hours)

COUN 2500 Principles of Addiction Treatment (3 credit hours)

 

Principles of Addiction Treatment (CAT course, 21 clock hours)

Case Conceptualization (CAT course, 14 clock hours)

COUN 2400 Ethics I & II (3 credit hours)

Ethical Practice in Addiction Treatment (CAS course, 21 hours)

Advanced Professional and Ethical Practice (CAS course, 14 hours)

COUN 3000 Culturally Informed Treatment (3 credit hours)

Culturally Informed Treatment (CAT course, 14 clock hours)

Treating Diverse Populations (CAS course, 14 hours)

COUN 3040 Pharmacology and Infectious Diseases (3 credit hours)

 

Infectious Diseases in Addiction Treatment (CAS course, 14 clock hours)

Pharmacology I (CAT course, 14 clock hours)

Advanced Pharmacology (CAS course, 14 clock hours)

COUN 3500 Group Dynamics and Group Process (3 credit hours)

Group Counseling Skills (CAT course, 14 clock hours)

COUN 3410 Assessment and Treatment Planning (3 credit hours)

Advanced Case Conceptualization (CAS course, 14 clock hours)

COUN 4830 Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma Informed Care (3 credit hours)

Co-Occurring Disorders (CAS course, 14 clock hours)

Trauma Informed CARE (CAT course, 14 clock hours)

Advanced Treatment Models (CAS course, 14 hours)

COUN 3600 Motivational Interviewing I & II (3 credit hours)

Motivational Interviewing (CAT course, 21 clock hours)

Advanced Motivational Interviewing (CAS course, 14 clock hours)

COUN 4950 Practicum in Human Services (3 credit hours)

Professional Practice (CAS course, 7 clock hours)

COUN 4960 Supervision of Addiction Counselors (3 credit hours)

Clinical Supervision I (CAS course, 21 clock hours)

Clinical Supervision II (CAS course, 14 clock hours)


Admission Details

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions Details page.

Additional Resources: