Median annual wage paid to substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in May, 2008 were $37,030. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,410 and $47,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,460.
Read MoreA background in chemical dependency also provides a great educational start for people planning to continue their education in law enforcement, law, medicine, nursing, education, social work, counseling or psychology.
This program is designed to be accomplished in as few as two years.
The application fee is $250, which is non-refundable.
This degree, along with state licensure, will afford you the opportunity to work directly with those persons receiving chemical dependency treatment. Depending upon the agency, people with these qualifications may find themselves transporting clients to appointments, monitoring clients in residential treatment centers, collecting urine analysis samples, developing treatment plans, co-facilitating groups, completing intake assessments, providing individual therapy and/or working on a team to ensure clients comply with their treatment plans.
No, Financial Aid will not pay for the examination or the licensure application, but the program qualifies for financial aid that can help cover to cover tuition, fees and books.
While Chemical Dependency courses are offered online, most are available on any of MCC’s campus through the ITV (Instructional Television) system.
The Chemical Dependency Therapy program offers education to persons seeking to take the Substance Abuse, IC&RC (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium) exam and gain licensure as a Licensed Substance Abuse Technician. The AzBBHE requires technicians to hold an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Chemical Dependency with an emphasis on counseling from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of counseling related coursework, including 18 hours of coursework directly related to chemical dependency.
Yes, all students will receive field experience through the CHD280: Chemical Dependency Practicum course. Each student is required to complete 240 hours of field experience in a community-based substance abuse treatment setting.
Learn more about a career in chemical dependency with the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
The exam fee is $200 and the study guide is $75. You can make out one check or money order for both and send to ABCAC, PO Box 11467, Phoenix, AZ 85061-1467. If you have any questions, please call 602.251.8548.
You may download the application for licensure from the AzBBHE website.
The IC&RC exam is administered by the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors. The ABCAC can administer this exam to anyone not working within the Indian Health Service system. Call 602.251.8548 for information. The Southwest Indian Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Board (SISACCB) can administer this exam to all individuals working within the Indian Health Service system. Call 602.254.3247 for details about the SISACCB.