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Addiction Counselor - Associate in Applied Science

Program Code - CIP Code: ADCN.AAS/51.1501
Credits Required: 61
Academic Division: Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Services
Contact:adcn@kckcc.edu

The Addiction Counselor training program at Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC) provides coursework designed to prepare individuals to become professionals in the field of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment.  Combining traditional theoretical and experiential learning, the training program offers students the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.  KCKCC works to provide an open and flexible learning environment. Scheduling and advising are tailored to the students be they working professional, traditional students or nontraditional students. 

Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements, students gain knowledge, skills and develop the attitudes needed to pursue work in the behavioral health fields, specifically, the substance use disorder treatment profession.  Coursework is geared to nationally standardized best practices in the SUD field. Coursework prepares students to continue on to their bachelor’s degree as well as develop the knowledge needed for successful completion of the national exams established as standards for credentialing/licensure at state and national levels.

To be licensed as an addiction counselor in the state of Kansas, applicants must earn a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and complete specific coursework related to addiction counseling as outlined in state statute and regulation. (See: Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (KS-BSRB).  Students are encouraged to seek out the relevant credentialing/licensure requirements of the state in which they plan to work. Advisors at KCKCC work to assist but, it is the students' responsibility to ensure they understand the requirements of the regulating body for the profession.

KCKCC works with other 4 year institutions for transfer agreements. KCKCC is positioned well with its lower fees, smaller class sizes and flexible scheduling to assist students to fulfill many of the Kansas Behavioral Science Regulatory Board's academic requirements.   Coursework at KCKCC has also been recognized by the state of Missouri Credentialing Board toward their requirements for (See: Missouri Credentialing Board for specific requirements). As with Kansas or any state, students are encouraged to explore and understand the regulatory requirements of the state in which they are pursuing a credential.

Accreditation/Certification

The Addiction Counseling Program is currently recognized as an approved educational provider with the National Association of Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). (Only the courses specific to Addiction Counseling are under this approval, general education courses are not).

 Requirements for admission to the program

  • Admission to the College
  • Contact program for program-specific advising.

College Requirements

Course Credit Hours
BLUE 0101 Freshman Seminar 1

General Education Requirements

Course Credit Hours
ENGL 0101 Composition I * 3
ENGL 0102 OR
ENGL 0206
Composition II* OR
Technical Writing
3
SPCH 0151 OR
SPCH 0201
Public Speaking OR
Interpersonal Communication
3
MATH 0106 College Algebra** or higher 3
HUMN 3 hours of Core Humanities (THTR-0105 Introduction to Acting recommended) 3
PSYC 0101 Psychology * 3
VTSP 0102 OR
PSYC 0205 OR
PSYC 0206 OR
SOSC 0210
Victim/Survivor Services OR
Statistics in Social Science Research OR
Research Methods in Psychology OR
Introduction to Social Work
3
BIOL 0121 General Biology 5
Total Hours for General Education Requirements 26
*See course syllabus for prerequisite **Math sequence is contingent upon previous high school mathematics background and transfer institution.  Students should confer with an advisor to determine correct placement.

Addiction Counselor Requirements

Course Credit Hours
ADCN 0101 Introduction to Addiction++ 3
ADCN 0106 Individual Counseling Methods ++ 3
ADCN 0204 Family Therapy *++ 3
ADCN 0205 Ethics: Addiction Counseling++ 3
ADCN 0206 Problem and Compulsive Gambling* 4
ADCN 0209 Pharmacology: Addiction Counseling++ 3
ADCN 0210 Group Dynamics and Addictions 1++ 3
ADCN 0221 Counseling and Services Coordination*++ 3
ADCN 0250 Addiction Counseling Field Practicum 1***++ 3
ADCN 0251 Addiction Counseling Field Practicum II ***++ 3
PSYC 0297 Abnormal Psychology*++ 3
Total Hours for Addiction Counselor Requirements 34
*See course syllabi for Addiction Counselor course prerequisites. 
*indicates prerequisites required
++indicates course required for state licensure (KS)
***Field practicum prerequisites required, minimum of 21 hours of technical hours completed, application and coordinator approval. Also must have enrolled in ADCN course within the last 4 semesters. Requires 300 hours of field experience.

Total Hours

Total Hours for an Associate in Applied Science in Addiction Counselor Degree 61
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