Tell me about the Associate of Applied Science-Chemical Dependency Therapy. -The Chemical Dependency Therapy program offers education to persons seeking to take the Substance Abuse, IC&RC (International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium) exam and gain licensure as a Licensed Substance Abuse Technician. The AzBBHE requires technicians to hold an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Chemical Dependency with an emphasis on counseling from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of counseling related coursework, including 18 hours of coursework directly related to chemical dependency. 

How do I take the IC&RC examination? - The ICRC exam is administered by the Arizona Board for Certification of Addiction Counselors. The ABCAC can administer this exam to anyone not working within the Indian Health Service system.  Contact Diane DeGeorge at (602) 251-8548.The Southwest Indian Substance Abuse Counselor Certification Board (SISACCB) can administer this exam to all individuals working within the Indian Health Service system.  Contact Diana Yazzie Devine or Linda Sarkisian at (602) 254-3247.

How much does the exam cost to take? - The exam fee is $125, non-refundable.

How do I apply for Licensure? - You may download the application for licensure from the AzBBHE website, http://www.bbhe.state.az.us/.

Is there an application fee? - The application fee is $250, non-refundable.

Will Financial Aid pay for the examination or licensure? - No, Financial Aid will not pay for the examination or the licensure application.

How long does it take to complete an Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency? - This program is designed to be accomplished in as few as two years.

Does this program require a student to get field experience? - Yes, all students will receive field experience through the CHD280: Chemical Dependency Practicum course.  Each student is required to complete 240 hours of field experience in a community-based substance abuse treatment setting.

How are the courses offered? While there are courses being offered on-line, most are available on any of MCC’s campus through the ITV (Instructional Television) system.

What sort of actual work can I do with an Associate of Applied Science-Chemical Dependency Therapy? - This degree, along with state licensure, will afford you the opportunity to work directly with those persons receiving chemical dependency treatment.  Depending upon the agency, people with these qualifications may find themselves transporting clients to appointments, monitoring clients in residential treatment centers, collecting urine analysis samples, developing treatment plans, co-facilitating groups, completing intake assessments, providing individual therapy, and/or working on a team to ensure clients comply with their treatment plans.

Where can I learn more information about a career in chemical dependency? -Learn more about a career in chemical dependency: U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/oco/ 

What kind of income can I expect? - For counselors in the substance abuse and mental health fields, government employers generally pay the highest wages, followed by hospitals and social service agencies. Residential care facilities often pay the lowest wages.
Holding an AzBBHE Substance Abuse License on any level will dramatically impact your pay and job opportunities in the state of Arizona.

Estimated pay ranges for the three licensure levels in Arizona:

• Licensed Substance Abuse Technician $27,000-32,000 annually
• Licensed Associate Substance Abuse Counselor $27,000-32,000 annually
• Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor $28,000-50,000 annually

Can training in the treatment of chemical dependency help me in another career also? - A background in chemical dependency also provides a great educational start for people planning to continue their education in law enforcement, law, medicine, nursing, education, social work, counseling, or psychology.