Substance Addiction Counseling Certificate (SAC)
Type: Career, Certificate (C1)
Open Admissions
Division: Health and Human Services
This program will provide human service professionals and others the education necessary to enter into careers related to substance abuse. This program leads directly into the two-year degree Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program. Experience has shown that people with a minimum of one year of recovery have a better chance at success in this field of study.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
If you have program advising related questions, please contact addictioncounseling@northshore.edu or call 781-477-2150.
First Year
Fall
| DRG101 | Substance Abuse and Society | 3 |
| DRG103 | Physiological and Medical Aspects of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| HUS101 | The Human Services Worker | 3 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Spring
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| DRG106 | Prevention of Substance Abuse | 3 |
| DRG201 | Substance Abuse Counseling for Individuals | 3 |
| HUS102 | Helping Skills in Human Services | 3 |
| HUS108 | Pharmacology for Human Services | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 27
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Assess substance use and its impact on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
- Provide effective, evidence-based counseling approaches to individuals & families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of diversity; how to provide ethical and culturally sensitive care.
- Utilize and deliver prevention and psycho-educational programming.
- Identify commonly used self-help and community supports.
- Gain confidence in selecting appropriate treatment options and levels of care.
Occupational Skills required
- Active listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Oral Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
- Strong written communication
- Technology & Computer Literacy
- Time Management
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Substance Use and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Social and Human Services Assistant
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
- US - 1.8%
- Boston MSA – 2.1%
- Essex County – 2.1%
- Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $24,600
- Boston MSA Median Wages (2016) – $32,200
Top Transfer Institutions
- Salem State University
- Suffolk University
- Boston University
- Endicott College