Lake Superior State University: Academic Catalog 2019-20

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment

Program Description

This program provides the basic knowledge and skills for entry level substance abuse work. Included are social, psychological and biological bases of substance abuse, with special attention to alcoholism, and skills training in counseling. You will also improve your communication skills and expand your knowledge about cultural diversity and psychological and social foundations of human behavior. You will apply knowledge and skills acquired in an extensive internship working under close supervision in a substance abuse program. Placements include residential and out-patient rehabilitation settings, detoxification programs, and prevention programs. You may complete your internship locally or outside the local area.

If you are seeking the Associate Degree in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment you are strongly encouraged to continue your studies to complete a Bachelor’s degree to be successful in today’s competitive labor market. You may find the expanded understanding of human behavior provided by the Psychology major or Sociology major to be particularly useful for work in social work programs. Both of these majors also help you develop critical thinking ability, improve writing skills and learn about research through first-hand experience developing and conducting a research project. These abilities are valued by employers in this field.

Although most students combine the Associate Degree in Social Work with a bachelor degree in Sociology or Psychology, some choose other bachelor programs to best prepare them to achieve their particular career goals. Advisors will help you make these decisions.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses (39 credits)

• BIOL105 Function of the Human Body 4
• HMSV204 Fundamentals of Drug Abuse 3
• HMSV250 Human Services Practicum 9
• HMSV292 Alcohol Abuse Prevention & Treatment 3
• PSYC101 Introduction to Psychology 4
• PSYC201 Communication Skills in Counseling 3
• PSYC259 Abnormal Psychology 3
• SOCY102 Social Problems 4
• SOWK341 Addiction 3
• SOWK344 Social Welfare Systems 3

Cognates- Required (6 credits)

• PSYC291 Group Counseling 3
  or
• PSYC391 Family Therapy 3
• SOCY225 Native Cultures of North America 3
  or
• SOCY103 Cultural Diversity 3

Electives (7 credits)

General Education: All LSSU Associate’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.

A minimum of 64 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher.  A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.

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