Overview
About the Program
Social Work Assistants and Chemical Dependency Counselors have a professionally and personally challenging role in providing services to both children and adults with a variety of needs. Students in this program are prepared to provide support to persons in difficult life situations, persons with emotional/social/environmental concerns, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders as well as individuals who have co-occurring disorders. Graduates often work within multidisciplinary systems with a wide array of professionals.
The program stresses development and exploration of both personal and professional characteristics graduates will need to be effective helpers.
The associate degree program prepares students with knowledge, skills, and professional ethics to support individuals with diverse needs in a variety of settings. The four-semester program includes 210 hours of hands-on experience under the direct supervision of professionals in local and adjacent county agencies. Practicum experiences may occur in a variety of community agencies which include behavioral health/ mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery, drug and alcohol treatment and prevention, Developmental Disabilities, child protective/child welfare services, Head Start and Early Start programs, schools, community and senior centers, rehabilitation facilities, homeless shelters, supported living and residential environments, domestic violence programs, youth treatment programs, adult probation, drug court, prison settings and re-entry programs.
The Associates of Applied Science degree is designed to be completed in two-years and four-semesters as a full-time student. Students may complete the degree going part-time and extending their completion time of the degree.
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate knowledge of counseling and interviewing strategies which include the use of active listening skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of multicultural perspectives and social justice theories.
- Display fundamental knowledge of social work theory and values, ethical guidelines, and legal regulations.
- Demonstrate professional behavior in accordance with social work practices.
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychopathology, case management, community resources, addictions theories, trauma, and family systems.
License/Credentialing Eligibility
- Graduates who have successfully completed the program are eligible to apply for registration as a Social Work Assistant (SWA) through the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CSWMFT).
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Graduates who have successfully completed the SWA degree program and who complete the Addictions Studies Certificate qualify for application both the CDCA Preliminary Certification and the CDCA Renewal Certification from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board (ODCP). Two of the three courses will meet SWA elective requirements, hence only one additional course needs to be completed. These courses are: SWA2630 CD: Ethics, SWA2640 CD: Introduction to Pharmacology and, SWA2660 CD: Etiology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Modalities
- Graduates of the SWA degree and the Addictions Certificate Studies courses also fulfil the educational requirements by the OCDP State Licensing Board for the Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) II. Graduates of the degree along with the Addiction Studies Certificate will have met all of the educational hours for this state license. They will need to complete additional required work hours after graduation as outlined by the OCDP Board. Those work hours combined with their degree and certificate will meet requirements for them to sit for an exam for their LCDC II.
Application Requirements
- MTC Application for Admission and nonrefundable application fee.
- Final high school transcript (or GED results) and college transcripts (if applicable).
- Successful completion of the American College Test (ACT) with a minimum composite score of 15.
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Demonstrate college-readiness by achieving the required minimum score on a placement test, successfully completing any required college foundation courses, or satisfying other measures including but not limited to high school coursework, previous college coursework, samples of work, etc.
Career Opportunities
- · Behavioral Healthcare Specialist
- · Mental Health Case Manager
- · Psychiatric Services Case Manager
- · Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant
- · Social Work Assistant
- · Social Services Worker
- · Mental Health Technician
- · Community Based Caseworker
- · Developmental Disabilities: SSA
- · Program Coordinator
- · Rehabilitation Specialist
- · Residential Coordinator
- · Correctional Case Manager
- · Probation Officer/Court Liaison
- · Child Protective Services Worker
- · Gerontology Specialist
Curriculum
The following is a typical course sequence for completing this program. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
Note: Per program policy, a minimum grade of "C" is required to pass all SWA and GER courses and courses for approved electives.
Approved SWA Course Electives: SWA1100 Trauma and Resilience, 3 credits; GER1000 Intro to Gerontology, 3 credits; GER1010 Biopsychosocial Aspects of Aging, 3 credits; GER1020 End-of-Life Care and Loss, 3 credits; SWA2630 CD: Ethics, 3 credit; SWA2640 CD: Intro to Pharmacology, 3 credits; SWA2650 Juvenile Delinquency, 3 credits; SWA2660 CD: Etiology, Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Modalities, 3 credits; CRJ1600 Intro to Corrections, 3 credits; NUR1003 Nurse Aid Training (STNA), 4 credits.
First Semester
| OIS1240 | Computer Applications | 3 |
| PSY1100 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SWA1000 | Introduction to Addiction Studies | 3 |
| SWA1040 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWA1010 | Introduction to Social Welfare | 3 |
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Total Credit Hours: 65