Program Description

The Substance Abuse Education Technical Diploma equips individuals with the skills needed to prevent substance abuse, provide counseling for individuals and families dealing with drug and alcohol issues, and deliver intervention and therapeutic services for those affected by addiction. The curriculum covers individual and group counseling techniques, the psychology of addiction, methods for identifying substance abuse, treatment modalities, prevention and treatment resources, psychopharmacology, treatment evaluation, patient education, and professional standards and ethics.

This diploma also fulfills the 100-hour educational requirement for obtaining a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training license, as mandated by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Students can apply for their training license upon completing these 100 hours. This program is embedded into the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Associate Degree.

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Financial Aid

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

  • Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Intake Counselor
  • Assessment Counselor
  • Substance Abuse Counselor - In Training

Courses

The Substance Abuse Education Technical Diploma is a 25 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

Boundaries & Ethics - Helping Professions 3.00
Understanding Substance Use 3.00
Foundations Of Case Management 3.00
College 101 1.00
Intro To Interviewing & Counseling Skills 3.00

Second Term

Group Facilitation 3.00
Introduction To The SUDC Profession 3.00
Psychopharmacology 3.00
SUDC Assessment, Diagnosis And Treatment 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.

Completing the Substance Abuse Education Technical Diploma Earns You:

Cost of Attendance

2024–2025 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 semesters — Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Expenses Student 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
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $3,008 $9,147
Books / Supplies $1,465 $1,465
Transportation $4,017 $4,017
Personal Expenses $3,608 $3,608
Loan Fees $85 $85
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance
In-State
$17,027
Out-of-State
$19,310
In-State
$23,166
Out-of-State
$25,449

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.

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.

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

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.

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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.