Substance Use Disorder Professional
The Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP) specializes in working with individuals to help them overcome their dependency on alcohol and drugs to become self-sufficient. A SUDP is certified by the Washington State Department of Health to provide assessment, treatment and recovery services to individuals, groups and families.
Career
With coursework in addiction, client evaluation, referral and treatment, cultural implications, counseling, prevention and intervention, family involvement, and legal issues, you will be equipped with the knowledge to work with a diverse population.
With this program, you will earn an AAS degree in Substance Use Disorder Professional and complete the educational requirements needed to become licensed as a Substance Use Disorder Professional in Washington state.
Upon enrolling in an academic program and beginning your preparation to become a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP), complete and submit an application to become a Substance Use Disorder Trainee (SUDP-T). The application, along with addition Substance Use Disorder Professional requirements and procedures, can be accessed at the Washington State Department of Health.
Coursework is highly interactive and includes field-based internships. Your experience at Highline will help you discover the work that is the best match for you.
Graduates will learn specific job skills as well as communication skills, computational skills, applied sciences, human relations and social science. The AAS can be completed in two years with full-time attendance. If you already have a degree, you can meet requirements for your current job by taking individual Substance Use Disorder courses.
Bachelors Degree
Members of human services agencies throughout our area work together to improve the overall quality of services and programs. Students who graduate with a four-year degree will be better equipped to help design and manage quality programs for individual clients and families. You can be part of this growing and changing field.
Program Map
- University of Washington – Tacoma/Seattle
- Central Washington University
- Washington Governors University
Department/Program URL:
GPA Requirement:
2.0
Number of Credits:
180
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
n/a
Top Transfer-To institutions
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
Not all internships have the same requirements but human services/behavioral health agencies will require you to complete a criminal history background check prior to offering you an internship or employment. For students without prior direct service experience, it is recommended they do their internship after completing two-thirds of their degree.
Key Advisors
Associates Degrees
If you have a passion for helping others and you are a good listener, then this may be the career for you. This rewarding and challenging career field provides you with the opportunity to support individuals of diverse backgrounds, assessing their needs and connecting them with appropriate services.
PDF Program Map
Department/Program URL:
GPA Requirement:
2.0
Number of Credits:
90
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
N/A
Top Transfer-To institutions
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
Not all internships have the same requirements but human services/behavioral health agencies will require you to complete a criminal history background check prior to offering you an internship or employment. For students without prior direct service experience, it is recommended they do their internship after completing two-thirds of their degree.
Certification as a Substance Use Disorder Professional is based on meeting the educational requirements, supervision hours and successful completion of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) level one or higher or the Intentional Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) exam. For more information, please read the certification requirements on the Washington Department of Health website.
Key Advisors
Certificates
Program Map
- Demonstrate general knowledge of the field of substance use disorder, including its history, pharmacological actions of drugs and alcohol, co-occurring disorders, prevention and treatment, societal impact and treatment resources.
- Describe current treatment models, interventions and effective practices for counseling individuals and families experiencing substance use disorders.
- Establish and maintain positive client relationship characterized by effective communication, collaboration, trust and empathy.
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively lead facilitate substance use disorder treatment groups.
- Develop and deliver an effective relapse prevention plan, including appropriate and evidence-based cognitive, behavioral and pharmacological interventions.
- Demonstrate self-awareness and analyze the individual cultural context of clients (individual and family, and group and community) to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment of substance use disorders.
- Apply all legal and ethical requirements and agency policies and practices specific to the field of substance use disorder.
- Utilize accurate and effective substance use disorder case management skills, including assessment, client advocacy, developing treatment plans, networking, referral and documentation.
Department/Program URL:
Continuing Education – Substance Use Disorder Professional Program
GPA Requirement:
All individual classes must be completed with a 2.0 or better to apply to certificates or degrees.
Number of Credits:
15
Degree or Certificate Learning Outcomes:
Important Dates or Milestones Specific to Degree/Certificate
- This information does not substitute for meeting with a faculty adviser.
- Students must achieve a cumulative 2.0 GPA to attain the certificate.
- Not all classes are offered every quarter.
- Coursework is entirely online.
- Prospective students with a degree or credits may enroll in individual substance use disorder courses to complete certification requirements.
- The program allows behavioral health professionals as defined in WAC 246-811-076 to complete the educational requirements needed to become certified as a substance use disorder professional in Washington State. For information about substance use disorder professional certification requirements, visit www.doh.wa.gov.
- Upon enrolling in the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program and beginning your preparation to become a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP), complete and submit an application to become a Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee (SUDP-T).The Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee application can be accessed at http://www.doh.wa.gov/ .
- Students eligible for Alternative Training must arrange and complete supervised substance use disorder counseling to be credentialed through the DOH. (WAC 246-811-076).
- Students must take and pass the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor (NAADAC) National Certification Examination for Addiction Counselors or the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC) Certified Addiction Counselor Level II or higher examination. (WAC 246-811-060)