Substance Abuse Education

A group counseling session

Substance Abuse Education

Technical Diploma

24 Credits | 1 Year

Financial Aid-Eligible

Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior

Hybrid instruction

Career Cluster: Human Services

The Substance Abuse Education technical diploma will provide you with the coursework required to pursue a career in the field of substance abuse counseling within the state of Wisconsin. You will acquire the education and related skills necessary to work with individuals, families and groups in need of substance abuse assessment, treatment and counseling. 


 

Program Overview

Help to address substance abuse challenges within our communities. The Substance Abuse Education technical diploma is pre-approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services to meet the six content areas (360 hours) of educational requirements for Substance Abuse Counselors. This program will provide you with the foundational coursework necessary to begin working with individuals, families and groups in need of substance abuse assessment, treatment, and counseling.

Upon completion, graduates pursuing various levels of Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselor certification will also need to pass the required state examination and obtain supervised counseling hours, as designated by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services. This technical diploma is also fully embedded within the Human Services Associate program, creating a direct pathway for graduates to continue their education and obtain their Human Services Associate of Applied Science degree.

Program Outcomes

Substance Abuse Education graduates will be able to:

  • Apply case management skills
  • Identify professional SUDC documentation requirements
  • Apply the client SUDC evaluation process
  • Analyze professional conduct in the clinical setting
  • Counsel clients

Technical Standards

In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program. 

Learn More About Technical Standards for this Program

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Earn credentials each step of the way through Career Pathways. Upon completion of the Substance Abuse Education program, you can continue your education to earn an associate degree in Human Services Associate. 

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Enhance your career.

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Make a difference. 

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Academics

Full program course offerings are available at Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake and Superior. Take courses via hybrid instruction. 

High Future Demand

Meet the emerging need for substance abuse counselors within the state of Wisconsin. 

Accessible Delivery

This program blends in person, online and hybrid experiential learning, ideal for pursuing or enhancing your career. 

Pursue Certification

Graduates will meet the 360-hour educational requirements needed for Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselor certification, as pre-approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services. Certification also requires state application, examination and supervised counseling experience outside of this program. 


Required Courses

Coursework meets the 360-hour educational requirements needed for Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselor certification, as pre-approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services and includes the six content areas of assessment, case management, counseling, education, professional responsibility and electives within domains.

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Substance Abuse Education Courses

10520104
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
Students gain a basic understanding of the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Emphasis is on historical and social perspectives of drug use, trends of use, and legal and social responses to problematic alcohol and illicit drug use. Additionally, this course provides an accurate description of the effects of psychoactive drugs, identifies methods of substance abuse treatment, and introduces the student to local treatment services.
10520115
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course will gain further understanding of substance abuse and dependence, assessment and treatment interventions. Emphasis is on assessment, diagnostics, and treatment of substance use disorders. Students will also gain further understanding of levels of care, community-based sober support, referrals and family system interventions. COREQUISITES: 10520104 Issues in Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, 10520110 Group Facilitation and 10520106 Methods of Social Casework
10520105
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the major counseling theories and techniques and applications to various situations. Students will apply concepts and skills through practice in initiating, structuring, and terminating counseling sessions. COREQUISITE: 10520106 Methods of Social Casework

Substance Abuse Education is Part of a Career Pathway

As a Substance Abuse Education student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way! 

*Career qualifications vary based on licensure application, examination and supervised practice/employment hours as specified and approved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.

 

You could take this first and get a credential.

Technical Diploma
24 credits/1 Year Full Time
Potential Careers
Substance Abuse Counselor - in training, Assessment Counselor, Intake Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor
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You could continue your education to earn your associate degree.

Associate Degree
61 Credits / 2 Years Full Time
Potential Careers
Case Worker, Community Outreach/Support Worker, Income Maintenance Worker, Human Services / Information and Referral Specialist, Substance Abuse Counselor (with specialized field experience), Intake Worker, Prevention Worker, Residential Manager
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Transfer your credits to earn your bachelor's degree.


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Cost of Attendance

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.

Learn More About Cost of Attendance

Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*

Substance Abuse Education

24 Credits | 1 Year

$3,861


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Substance Abuse Education Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Substance Abuse Education technical diploma. Continue your education at Northwood Tech in the Human Services Associate program.

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Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

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Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information

Northwood Tech’s Substance Abuse Education program is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin’s 360-hour educational requirements needed for Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselor certification, as preapproved by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services. (Certification also requires state application, examination, and supervised counseling experience outside of this program). Northwood Tech does not guarantee its required courses meet the requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure for other states/territories. For determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states/territories other than Wisconsin, please refer to the licensure and certification disclosure webpage. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state/territory to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements. To be eligible for testing and/or licensing in the state of Wisconsin, you may be required to obtain a social security number. 

Out-of-State applicants sign a Professional Licensure Disclosure Form. 

For more information, visit:
Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Sherry Rehnelt

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8136

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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