Substance Use Disorder Counselor Treatment Training Program (SUDTTC)

Our Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training Certificate (SUDTTC) Program is dedicated to helping students develop the knowledge base and treatment skills necessary to assist individuals with substance use disorders and their families. Our goal is to enhance the quality of substance use disorder treatment available in our communities.

Program Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, individuals should be able to:

• Demonstrate culturally competent practice for work in all cultural contexts.
• Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the scope of practice as defined by law.
• Demonstrate proficiency of the 12 Core Functions.
• Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the causes, prevalence, and treatment of substance abuse, including prevention and recovery.
• Demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of the pharmacology of drugs and alcohol, including the neurochemical and biological effects on the human body.
• Function effectively within the structure of organizations and across service delivery systems using a multi-disciplinary team approach.
• Practice within the values and ethics of the professional NAADAC and NASW Code of Ethics.
• Obtain state licensure as mandated by State of Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).

This program prepares individuals for careers in the addictions field. It is designed for:

• Individuals working toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree who are interested in acquiring Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) license in the state of Utah.
• Individuals with an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree who are interested in acquiring Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or, eventually, Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) licensure in the state of Utah.
• Individuals who desire to launch a career in the addictions field with credibility and foundational knowledge.
• Para-professionals currently working in the addictions field who want to increase opportunities for career advancement.
• Para-professionals seeking a career change to positions in the addictions field.

The Value of the SUDTTC

• Signal credibility and integrity: Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) or Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (ASUDC) certification demonstrates a deep knowledge and commitment to ethical, professional and competent practice with people of all backgrounds in the addictions field.
• Make an impact on society: Solve problems, help clients including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities achieve their goals, and serve as a trusted practitioner.
• Employment security: The substance use disorder counselor career path is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for social service occupations is expected to grow 13%, much faster than the average for all occupations. With a rising demand for substance abuse treatment, job opportunities are plentiful.

Job Growth & Demand

The substance use disorder counselor career path is expected to grow substantially in the coming years. According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for social service occupations is expected to grow 13%, much faster than the average for all occupations. With a rising demand for substance abuse treatment, job opportunities are plentiful.

Job Requirements & Licensure

Supply versus demand of qualified SUDC professionals has caused the legislature to re-examine the requirements of obtaining licensure. It is now more accessible than before to enter the field. For the most up to date requirements, please visit the State of Utah’s Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL) website.

Pre-Requisites

To be admitted to the program, students must have completed the following:

1. An Associate's or Bachelor's degree completed, or in progress at time of application.
2. Coursework (can be from any accredited institution):
   1. Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) (SW 2100) or Human Development Across the Lifespan (ECS 1500)
   2. General Psychology (PSY 1010)

Note: Individuals who wish to pursue an Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor license will need to earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning in substance use disorders, addiction, social work, mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, or psychology

Format

Each course is offered over a traditional 16-week semester schedule. Classes are available online in an asynchronous format, except for the field practicum (SWC 711), allowing you to complete class anywhere, anytime!

Program Start Options

Students must apply for admission and be accepted into the SUDTTC program. See “How to Apply” section below.

Average Time to Complete

Completion time depends on how many courses per semester a student is taking, but generally the program can be completed within 3-4 semesters (9-12 months).

Class Availability/Schedule

We are working towards having every class offered each semester. Currently, most classes are available Fall and Spring, with limited availability during Summer semester. SWC 711 200-hour SUDTTC Practicum & Seminar is available every semester.

Plan of Study

Students are required to complete seven (7) courses and a 200-hour field practicum placement (see “Curriculum” section). There are several recommended tracks to completion below, but students may meet with an advisor to discuss the best path for them (see “Contact Us” section).

Course Planning Options

1st Option

2nd Option

3rd Option

The SUDTTC program requires successful completion of seven (7) noncredit courses and a 200-hour field practicum placement (SWC 711). Courses are offered during a traditional 16-week semester and meet with for-credit sections.

SWC 711 200-hour SUDTTC Practicum & Seminar

This course provides a 200-hour structured, supervised learning experience in a substance use disorder counseling setting. The course emphasizes application of key concepts necessary to serve as a substance use disorder counselor and enables students to enhance and integrate knowledge, skills, and values. The seminar component assists students in integrating practicum experiences with classroom work and allows for additional skill building, collective case discussion, problem solving, and self-reflection.

SWC 715 Dynamics of Addiction

This course introduces students to the biological, psychological and social factors related to development of substance use disorders and the role of natural change processes and motivation in health supporting behaviors. The course will also provide an overview of interventions, including 1) pharmacological, 2) psychological, 3) behavioral, 4) self-help and spiritual that can be utilized in treatment of addictions.

SWC 716 Introduction to Professional Development

This course introduces students to the values, knowledge, and skills essential to preparing to become and practicing as a professional, ethical and competent substance use disorder counselor. The course is designed to expose and introduce students to five primary elements, including: (1) the professional code of ethics of addiction professionals, (2) the twelve core functions of professional substance use disorder counselors, (3) the licensing process for substance use disorder students/trainees in the state of Utah, (4) the scope of practice for Substance Use Disorder Counselors (SUDC) and Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselors (ASUDC) in the state of Utah, and (5) local and state resources (i.e., prevention, intervention, and recovery) available to help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

SWC 725 Introduction to Neurochemistry

This course is an overview neurochemistry and the physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs as well as treatment and prevention of substance use disorders and compulsive behaviors. This course is designed to improve the understanding of psychoactive medication use in society. Students will gain a basic pharmacological understanding of psychoactive medications and their effects. Students will also be introduced to other patterns of behavior that may be addictive. Students will also gain an understanding of psychosocial and pharmacological treatment of substance use disorders.

SWC 731 Counseling Practice I

This course introduces students to the knowledge and skills substance use disorder counselors will need to practice professionally. Students will learn about William Miller’s Phases of treatment and gain an understanding of and practice skills in screening, assessment and case conceptualization. Students will explore and be introduced to 6 main elements: 1) the American Society of Addictive Medicine’s bio-psycho-social six-dimensional assessment criteria, 2) the DSM 5 diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, 3) the Transtheoretical Model of Change (Prochaska & DiClemente), the stages of change and other motivational enhancement strategies for working with ambivalence, 4) the importance of the therapeutic alliance, 5) matching client's needs to appropriate interventions, 6) Treatment planning, documentation and record keeping in the context of assessment and service delivery.

SWC 732 Counseling Practice II

Students investigate ongoing assessment, case management, crisis intervention, client education with an in-depth review of counseling skills-focusing on group work. Different group models, group dynamics, establishing group norms, and group approaches such as experiential, didactic, specific topic groups, gender specific and other special population groups will be examined. Emphasis will be on understanding and conducting didactic psychoeducation groups and co-facilitation of psychotherapy groups. Students will be exposed in depth to 1) Motivational Interviewing and motivational enhancement skills, 2) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and, 3) Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), 4) and other specific practices that are usually be provided in group settings i.e. Seeking Safety, Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT), Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), 12 Step Facilitation.

SWC 733 Counseling Practice III

This course builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Counseling Practice I and II and focuses on further development of individual counseling skills. Students will learn about the importance of evidence-based practices (EBPs) and how they are utilized in substance use counseling. Assessment and counseling skills are examined in more depth with a focus on the following elements: 1) trauma-informed care (TIC), 2) co-occurring disorders, 3) psychosocial skills (with a focus on DBT skills), and 4) crisis intervention and suicide assessment.

SWC 734 Counseling Practice IV

This course expands on the knowledge and skills developed in Counseling Practice I and II. This course advances students' understanding of interventions for addiction recovery, with a focus on harm reduction strategies and family education and counseling. Special attention is given to the needs of diverse populations to build insight and skills for providing evidence-based culturally competent care. Additionally, the course emphasizes the importance of comprehensive discharge planning, preparing students to create effective transition plans from treatment to sustained recovery.

You can apply for admission to the program by visiting the College of Social Work’s website. You will be required to complete the Program Application Form and the Professional References Identification Form.

The Social Work department will review your application and let you know when you are accepted within 6 weeks of your application date. Once you’ve been accepted:

• You’ll receive a registration link with your class options for the semester.
• Select your courses and pay the tuition online.
• Contact an advisor to learn about scholarship opportunities and next steps!

The application will require you to submit several attachment items. Save time by preparing them ahead of applying!

1. Resume
2. Personal Statement
3. Unofficial Transcript

View our checklist for the requirements of the resume and personal statement.

Tuition

Tuition for each course is $500, for a total of $3,500 for the program. Payment is due at the beginning of the course. Textbooks are not included and must be acquired separately (see "Textbooks" below). Tuition listed above subject to change without advance notice.

• Courses are NOT eligible for faculty/staff tuition reduction or emeritus benefits.
• Payment plans may be available through the University of Utah Financial Services.
• GI Bill funds do not cover tuition for noncredit classes. Please contact the Veterans Support Center for questions about benefits advising.
• Scholarship funding may be available for students of this program. See “Scholarship” below.

Textbooks

Textbooks are not included in the cost of enrollment and must be acquired by students individually. The Campus Bookstore has all required course materials as hard copies, but you may find a better price shopping for used texts online (Amazon, Ebay, Abebooks, etc.). Be sure to search for what texts/materials are required for your course and register early so that you have time to get them before classes start.

Scholarship Information

Students admitted into the program are eligible for a scholarship in the form of tuition ($4,000 maximum amount) and stipend ($6,000 maximum amount) funding support. The tuition funding support is applied directly to student’s scholarship account with the University of Utah Scholarship Administration system. The stipend funding support is applied directly to the student by direct deposit. The funding for this scholarship is made available through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) educational and training grant. To learn more about this scholarship opportunity, please contact Phoebe Galvez, HRSA Project Coordinator, at phoebe.galvez@utah.edu.

Why Choose the University of Utah?

We understand that you have a choice when it comes to taking professional development courses and we work hard to earn your trust with each and every class! By selecting the University of Utah, you’ll enjoy the following benefits whether you’re coming to us as someone new to the job market, a career changer, a seasoned professional or a lifelong learner.

• Resume Power. Benefit from the University of Utah reputation for credibility and quality. Choosing the University of Utah for your certificate program makes a clear statement about your commitment to excellence.
• Instructor Excellence. Learn from the same high-quality faculty that teach in our degree programs.
• The Power of the U Network. Gain access to a valuable University of Utah peer and faculty network.
• Programs that Fit Your Schedule. Most of our certificates offer convenient online or evening classes that offer a schedule that works around you. Go to class whenever and wherever you want!

Certificate Completion Requirements

• Students will be required to fulfill the same expectations and requirements as matriculated students including exams, projects and participation.
• Certificate students will receive an “S-Satisfactory” or “U-Unsatisfactory” assessment for each class. “S-Satisfactory” will indicate that the student has met the standards for at least a C-.
• Students must receive an “S-Satisfactory" grade in all classes for successful completion.

How is my accomplishment recognized?

A letter of completion will be provided after satisfactorily completing all certificate program and fieldwork requirements. Certificate program completion will also show on official University of Utah transcripts.

Is there any test or exam required to become a licensed SUDC?

No.

Can anyone register for the SUDTTC program?

No. Individuals must have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree or be pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree to be eligible for the program.

Do I have to take and complete all of the courses in sequential order?

SWC 711 200-hour SUDTTC Practicum & Seminar must be taken in the final semester of the program. Other courses can be taken in any order but it is recommended that students work with an academic advisor to ensure timely completion of required courses. Below is the recommended sequencing of courses.

Are there exams? Am I graded?

Certificate-seeking students are expected to complete the same work and requirements as matriculated students. The classes are graded with a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory option, with students earning a C- or higher receiving a Satisfactory grade and students earning a D+ or lower receiving an Unsatisfactory grade. For successful certificate completion, students must achieve a Satisfactory grade in all classes.

Can I apply these classes to a degree at the University of Utah?

These are non-credit classes and cannot be applied to any for-credit degree.

Are these classes eligible for federal financial aid?

Students taking only noncredit classes are not eligible for federal student aid loan programs. However, there is a grant-funded scholarship available to students in the noncredit SUDTTC program. Please see the “Costs” section for more details.

What is the average weekly time commitment for each of the classes?

Students can expect to spend approximately four hours per week on class work outside of the classroom.

Do I have to register and pay for all of the courses at one time?

Tuition is charged for courses at the time of registration, if registering through Continuing Education’s website.

Does the Letter of Completion from the Substance Use Disorder Treatment Training Certificate Program mean that I’m licensed?

No, a letter of completion from the College of Social Work at the University of Utah is given to individuals following their successful completion of the program. The SUDC or ASUDC license is awarded by the State of Utah Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).

How do I apply for licensure?

Individuals who complete the required coursework (including field practicum placement) in the program can apply for licensure through the State of Utah’s Department of Commerce Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL).