Mar 29, 2024  
2021-22 Catalog 
    
2021-22 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor, A.S.*


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Program Design

The Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) associate degree program provides education and training for persons seeking employment or job advancement in the addiction counseling profession; others transfer to upper level colleges to complete bachelor’s or graduate degrees in the field of addiction counseling or other transfer opportunities. Students receive education and training in the professional techniques of counseling with a disciplined background in the environmental and psychological causes and effects of substance use disorders.

The DARC program is designed to meet the academic requirement for the State of Connecticut and the CT Certification Board’s certification as an alcohol and drug/addiction counselor. This program is designed to provide the student with the most up-to-date knowledge in the field of addiction counseling.

First-year specialty courses are open to any student wishing to enroll, e.g. DAR* 101 , DAR* 111 , DAR* 112 , DAR* 158 .

DARC Internship Admission Process

Registration for the DARC internship courses (HSE* 281  and DAR* 251 ) and placement into a DARC internship site is based on the submission of an official application packet, an interview/screening process, including a site-specific background check, and the satisfactory completion of DAR* 101 , DAR* 111 , DAR* 112 , DAR* 158 , DAR* 213 , and HSE* 281  with a grade of C or better. Those students seeking admission into the DARC internship must meet with the DARC program coordinator. DARC internships begin each Fall semester. Internship application packets are accepted each semester for the following semester. Interviews/screenings of candidates will take place each December for the following Fall semester. Application deadlines are Ocotober 1st for the following spring and April 1st for the following fall.

Curriculum

The program consists of 27 semester hours of specialty courses and 33 semester hours of general education credits.

Students may enroll full- or part-time.

Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of all Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor degree program requirements, graduates will:

  1. Understand addiction and a variety of models and theories of addiction and other problems related to addictions. Be able to describe the behavioral, psychological, physical health and social effects of psychoactive substances on the user and significant others.
  2. Understand treatment, describe the philosophies, practices, policies, and outcomes of the most generally accepted and scientifically supported models of treatment, recovery, relapse prevention, and continuing care for addiction and other substance-related problems. Recognize the importance of family, social networks, and community systems in the treatment and recovery process.
  3. Apply knowledge and understand the established diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders and describe treatment modalities and placement criteria within the continuum of care and provide treatment services appropriate to the personal and cultural identity and language of the client.
  4. Demonstrate professionalism and understand the importance of self-awareness in one’s personal, professional and cultural life. Understand the addiction professional’s obligations to adhere to ethical and behavioral standards of conduct in the helping relationship.

In addition, the graduate will complete the comprehensive learning outcomes identified with the General Education Core.

Total Minimum Credits Required: 60


Notes:


Becoming Connecticut State Community College

STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. See below for more detail about this exciting transition!

Becoming Connecticut State Community College

A merger of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges is underway. Connecticut State Community College (CT State), a statewide college comprised of all Connecticut’s current community college locations, plans to open its doors in the Fall 2023. Here are some important facts students need to know:

  • the final commencement ceremony for Manchester Community College is scheduled for May 2023. Ceremonies will continue to be held at each location as campuses of CT State.
  • as a part of the planned merger, students continuing their studies beyond summer term 2023 will be matched with the CT State program that most closely aligns with their Spring 2023 major and is offered at the Manchester location,
  • students beginning Associate degree programs in Fall 2021 should plan with their advisor/program coordinator to attend full-time if they wish to graduate prior to the planned merger,
  • students who begin an Associate degree program in January 2022 would be anticipated to complete their degree at the merged college, Connecticut State Community College,
  • in all cases, the College is committed to students completing their education with a minimum of disruption and staying in touch with your advisor/program coordinator is essential,
  • further details can be found and will be updated on the Frequently Asked Questions page:  www.ct.edu/ctstate/academics.

Courses open only to students formally accepted into this program.

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