Associate of Applied Science│Fond du Lac Campus│2 Years│63 Credits│Eligible for Financial Aid
Substance Use Disorders Counseling (SUDC) Program
Substance abuse impacts roughly 1 in 10 people in the U.S., people. Prepare to evaluate and counsel clients with the Substance Use Disorders Counseling (SUDC) degree program at Moraine Park. Become a licensed counselor in only two years.
Substance Use Disorders Counselors, also known as Alcohol and Other Drug Counselors or AODC Counselors, help clients and their families develop new lifestyles and coping methods to resolve personal conflicts. They are excellent listeners, writers and negotiators with a passion for helping and assisting others.
What You’ll Learn
Graduates are prepared to evaluate clients and develop treatment plans. Students gain foundational knowledge, skills and experience necessary to evaluate, treat and counsel clients:
- Evaluate clients for SUD treatment.
- Develop individualized treatment plans.
- Facilitate client referrals.
- Counsel clients.
- Provide education relevant to substance use and recovery.
- Produce professional SUDC documentation.
- Manage client case(s).
- Display professional conduct in the clinical setting.
- Develop professional relationships with client(s).
- Apply personal wellness strategies for the helping professions.
Counselor Certification
The program meets all educational requirements for counselor certification and prepares graduates for the counselor certification examination.
After completing Moraine Park’s associate degree in Substance Use Disorders Counseling, students are awarded 500 hours for being an approved program and an additional 468 hours of clinical experience. This totals 968 hours toward the required 3,000 hours of clinical experience needed for counselor certification as a Substance Abuse Counselor with the Department of Safety and Professional Services of the State of Wisconsin.
After learning about Moraine Park’s Substance Use Disorder Counseling program and talking with supportive friends and family, Guadalupe felt confident that it was the right path for her.
The Substance Use Disorders Counseling field has a positive job outlook and is growing much faster than average according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Substance Use Disorders Counseling field is projected to grow 22 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Careers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Substance Abuse Counselor (in training)
- Substance Use Disorder Counselor
- House Manager CBRF
- Project Coordinator/County Substance Abuse Council
- Substance Abuse Intake Worker
- Crisis Worker
- Relief Worker
- Counselor Aide
- Human Service Worker
- Case Manager
Potential employers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Outpatient Care Centers
- Individual and Family Services
- Local Government
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
- Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals
- Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners
- Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
- Insurance Agencies
Can I become a substance abuse counselor without a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, the Substance Use Counseling profession in the State of Wisconsin can be obtained by completing an approved Associate Degree Program in Substance Use Counseling.
Students enrolled in the MPTC Substance Use Disorder Counseling (SUDC) Program can become substance abuse counselors. They need to apply for their Substance Use Counseling In Training (SAC-IT) Certification before entering their internship. Students will become Substance Abuse Counselors in Training after completing the MPTC Program.
What is the typical work environment in the industry?
The work environment depends on the profession and ranges from schools and hospitals to correctional facilities and courts.
- Counseling in schools.
- Counseling in treatment courts.
- Correctional treatments in prison or community corrections.
- Residential treatment and prevention programs in various settings.
- Inpatient treatment programs in hospitals.
- Outpatient counseling and intensive outpatient treatment programs in county agencies or clinics.
- Counseling in offices of other practitioners.
- Counseling-related insurance work in agencies and brokerages.
What professional and soft skills should a substance abuse counselor possess?
Skills depend on the specific profession. Most environments require the following:
- Work cooperatively
- Communicate clearly
- Act responsibly
- Work productively
- Manage time effectively
- Think critically and creatively
- Adapt to change
- Demonstrate integrity
What is the difference between substance use and substance abuse?
Substance Use is the terminology that the medical profession uses to diagnose a person that shows a pattern of misuse of substances. Substance Abuse has a negative connotation that identifies harm to another person. This explains why the degree/program is called Substance Use Disorder Counseling instead of Substance Abuse Disorder Counseling.
Moraine Park’s admissions starts with the online application. The admissions steps and financial aid process can take 4-5 weeks for some programs, so plan ahead.
View and begin standard admissions steps.
This program also requires:
- Health Requirements
- Criminal Background Check
If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact us at admissions@morainepark.edu OR 920-924-3200, TTY/VP:Use Relay VRS.
Several factors influence the total cost of your degree, including enrollment fees, the number of credits required, textbooks and equipment. Financial aid can assist with those costs.
The following estimated costs for completing this degree are based on the 2023-24 academic year and are subject to change. For further details, please visit the estimated cost of attendance page.
$11,258.10
Current tuition and fees
Coming Soon
Textbooks*
*Based on new books, rental, electronic, and used options may be available.
State Licensure Disclosure: Moraine Park’s Substance Use Disorders Counseling program prepares students to obtain the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. No determination has been made if the curriculum matches the educational requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure for other states. Visit the Accreditation page for more details about accreditation.
Licensing Organization: Department of Safety and Professional Services
SUDC Student Voices
"As a returning student to education and studying in a completely new industry, all of the staff within MPTC were over the top helpful in navigating the ins-and-outs of working toward my degree. The Substance Abuse Counseling instructors were knowledgeable about the disease of addiction, the preparation for licensure, and were attentive with answering questions when asked." - Jacqueline Hein
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Financial Aid is provided to aid eligible associate degree and technical diploma programs with 28 credits or more. Processing can take 6-8 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received.
Financial Aid is available for associate degree and technical diploma programs (those that are 2 semesters in length and typically with 28 credits or more). Processing can take 4-5 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received. Visit the Financial Aid page to learn more.