Program Description

The Substance Use Disorder Counseling (SUDC) Associate Degree program is designed for learners interested in working with addiction issues. The SUDC profession is held to high ethical standards to inspire respect, trust and confidence. Conduct of employees in this field must never compromise their ability to fulfill their professional responsibilities. To succeed, skills and character must include: emotional stability, maturity, self-awareness, self-discipline and personal responsibility; a minimum of one year free of substance use-related problems; an interest in working with people and appreciation of cultural diversity; strong reading, writing and critical thinking skills. Graduates are eligible for licensure in Wisconsin as Substance Abuse Counselors-In Training, qualifying for entry-level employment in a rewarding career.

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Approximate Program Cost

$11,211
Tuition & Fees: $10,558
Books & Supplies: $653

Starting Salary

$36,400–$41,995
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

Available

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An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
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at Antigo
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at Medford
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at Phillips
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at Spencer
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at Wittenberg
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at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Adhere to accepted ethical and behavior conduct
  • Document and maintain clinical records according to agency, federal and state guidelines
  • Provide culturally relevant education related to substance abuse
  • Demonstrate counseling skills with individuals, groups and families
  • Demonstrate case management skills
  • Facilitate referral to meet needs
  • Develop treatment plans
  • Clinically evaluate for substance use disorders and treatment needs

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Various community and social service agencies
  • Correctional Facilities
  • Substance Abuse Counseling

Courses

The Substance Use Disorder Counseling Associate Degree is a 65 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00
Intro To Psychology 3.00
Introduction To Human Services 3.00
College 101 1.00
Intro To Interviewing & Counseling Skills 3.00
Boundaries & Ethics - Helping Professions 3.00

Second Term

Developmental Psychology 3.00
Professional Readiness 1.00
Understanding Substance Use 3.00
Foundations Of Case Management 3.00
Group Facilitation 3.00
Overview Of Mental Health Disorders 3.00

Third Term

Introduction To Diversity Studies 3.00
Counseling Theory 3.00
Psychopharmacology 3.00
Introduction To The SUDC Profession 3.00
SUDC Assessment, Diagnosis And Treatment 3.00
Family Systems 3.00

Fourth Term

Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00
Speech 3.00
College Mathematics 3.00
Clinical Experience II 3.00
Clinical Experience I 3.00
Crisis Intervention And Stress Management 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this Substance Use Disorder Counseling Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2023-2024 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semester Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
ExpensesStudent Living With Parents (Home)Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,713*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,900*

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,713*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,900*

Living Expenses (Housing & Food)$4,052$9,614
Books / Supplies$2,061$2,061
Transportation$2,007$2,007
Personal Expenses$2,245$2,245
Loan Fees$83$83
Professional Licensure / Certification$135†$135†
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance

In-State

$15,296

Out-of-State

$17,483

In-State

$20,858

Out-of-State

$23,045

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2022-2023 academic year with a projected base increase of 1.65%. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

Students with dependent care, computer or study abroad expenses should contact the Financial Aid Office to document allowable expenses which may serve to increase their COA.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

† Initial Credentialing Fee for SAC-IT License: $60 (incurred during end of second year), Wisconsin Statutes and Rules Examination: $75 (incurred during end of second year).

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647

financialaid@ntc.edu

Additional Information

Field Experience/Internship Sites

Locally located internship sites cannot be guaranteed. Students may have to move or drive a distance in order to complete internship courses. Scheduled internship attendance days and times for which students must be available vary by agency. Program faculty select, assign, and maintain college contracts with internship sites.

Graduates

Graduates of the program will have the approved educational credential required by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services for Substance Abuse Counselor.

All courses can be taken online for the Substance Use Disorder Counselor Associate Degree.

Licensure/Certification Information

NTC’s Substance Use Disorder Counseling Associate Degree is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin's licensing criteria. However, NTC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the NTC program meets licensure or certification requirements.

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Before you apply, you should know

This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record. Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record, however, a check may be required for placement at clinical sites or field experiences.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

Then, submit one of the following

Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.

  • High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
  • ACT composite score of 16 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
  • Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
  • College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.

If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.