AA and AS Transfer Concentrations

Addiction Studies

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Montana has a growing need for Licensed Addiction Counselors. Dawson Community College’s Chemical Dependency Program is designed to meet the educational requirements needed to obtain licensure through the State of Montana. The specialized addiction studies classes are only offered online which offers flexibility to any individual across the state.

Program outcomes include, but are not limited to:

  • Administering, scoring, and interpreting the results of screening and assessment instruments.
  • Understanding the importance of a diagnosis and its role in the treatment process.
  • Gathering knowledge pertaining to the pharmacology of drugs.
  • Understanding the basic principles of individual and group counseling for addictions.

Students who earn the designated Associate of Arts Degree in Addiction Studies may also desire to transfer to a university to gain a Bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies.

For more information about this program and plan of study, please refer to the current catalog. 

Suggested Plan of Study

After graduating from Dawson Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in Addiction Studies, graduates must apply to become an Addiction Counselor Licensure Candidate (ACLC) through the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. Applicants must meet state education requirements, obtain an approved supervisor, and complete a background check and fingerprinting process. Once approved, they may begin earning supervised work experience hours.

To become a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), candidates must complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised addiction counseling experience over a minimum of seven months in an approved treatment setting.

After completing the required hours, candidates submit proof of their experience, education, and a passing score on an approved examination. Montana accepts the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) Level I or Level II exam, along with other board-approved exams. Once all requirements are approved, the Montana Board of Behavioral Health will issue the Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential.

Licensed Addiction Counselors must renew their license and meet any continuing education requirements established by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health. Because requirements may change, graduates should check with the Board for the most current information.

Career Options:

  • Licensed Addiction Counselor
  • Peer Support Specialist
  • Community Health Worker
  • Care Coordinator
  • Clinical Supervisor
  • Case Manager

*This program is designated to equip students as an Addiction Counselor ONLY in the State of Montana.

https://boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/behavioral-health/forms

*Image courtesy of Urine Drug Test HQ.