Mental Health, Social Service and Addiction Counseling - AAS Degree
Overview
See Department website and program contacts here
The Mental Health, Social Service, and Addiction Counseling (AAS) degree is designed for students seeking careers in behavioral health, addiction counseling, social services, and community support settings. The curriculum combines counseling theory, human services knowledge, and practical helping skills to prepare students for employment in a variety of human service environments.
Coursework includes topics such as counseling skills, group counseling, case management, addictions theory, trauma-informed care, and professional practice. Students develop practical communication, support, and intervention skills used in mental health agencies, social service organizations, addiction treatment programs, schools, residential facilities, corrections, youth programs, and gerontology settings.
The MHSSAC program is workforce-focused and prepares students for careers in behavioral health and community support services. Students completing the program may pursue certification as addiction counselors after meeting examination and state requirements. Many students also continue their education through transfer to bachelor’s degree programs in related fields.
New students are admitted to the program beginning each fall term. Students may complete some general education and elective coursework prior to entering the program and are encouraged to work with an advisor regarding educational planning.
Students are encouraged to work with an advisor to ensure appropriate course selection and program planning based on their educational background and career goals.
Refer to the tabs above for additional information about:
- Education Plan – provides a sample term-by-term sequence of courses
- Career Info – includes information on potential occupations, employment trends, and earnings
Program Learning Objectives
At the completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate the values and ethics that are intrinsic to the social service profession
- Demonstrate professional interviewing skills\\n
- Demonstrate writing skills appropriate to clinical documentation
- Identify resources for clients within agencies and within communities
- Describe the role of culture and diversity in social service and counseling
- Describe the role of neurochemistry in the addiction process
Education Plan
This sample Education Plan illustrates one possible course sequence. Students should consult an advisor to create a personalized plan.
General education courses (such as math, writing, health, etc.) can be taken during any term, or before starting the program.
| First Quarter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| HS101 | Introduction to Social Services | 3 |
| HS107 | Careers in Behavioral Healthcare and Social Service | 3 |
| HS114 | Listening Skills I | 2 |
| HS265 | Counseling Theories and Interventions I | 3 |
| WR121Z | Composition I | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| HS115 | Listening Skills II | 2 |
| HS135 | Case Management: Intake, Assessment, Process and Practice | 3 |
| HS150 | The Effective Helper, A Personal Skills Approach | 3 |
| HS266 | Counseling Theories and Interventions II | 3 |
| PSY201Z | Introduction to Psychology I (Or Related Elective if PSY201Z is already completed) | 4 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| HS291 | Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| SOC213 | Race Relations in the United States (Cultural Literacy course) | 4 |
| PSY237 | Human Development | 4 |
| Related Elective (can be taken any term) | 3-4 | |
| WE280HSD | Coop Ed-Human Services | 4 |
| Credits | 17-18 | |
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| Fall | ||
| HS225 | Group Counseling | 3 |
| HS291 | Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| WR122Z | Composition II | 4 |
| Related Elective (can be taken any term) | 3-5 | |
| WE280HSD | Coop Ed-Human Services | 4 |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Fifth Quarter | ||
| Winter | ||
| HS222 | Diagnosis and Treatment: Clinical Disorders | 3 |
| HS291 | Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| HS142 | Substance Use Disorder Counseling: Prevention, Assessment and Treatment | 3 |
| WE280HSD or WE280HSH | Coop Ed-Human Services or Coop Ed-Human Services | 4-8 |
| MTH065 or MTH058 | Beginning Algebra II (or higher) or Quantitative Reasoning I | 4-6 |
| Credits | 16-18 | |
| Sixth Quarter | ||
| Spring | ||
| HS291 | Practicum Seminar | 2 |
| SW201 | The Field of Social Welfare and Social Justice | 3 |
| WE280HSD | Coop Ed-Human Services (Required if student took WE280HSD in winter term) | 4 |
| Health and Physical Education (can be taken any term) | 3 | |
| PSY239 | Introduction to Abnormal Psychology | 4 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 95-100 | |
Related Electives
Take 9 to 15 credits from the list below to reach 90 credits total. If planning on transferring to a university, please see program adviser(s) before selecting electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MTH105Z | Math in Society (or higher) | 4 |
| PSY course level 200+ | 3-4 | |
| SOC course level 200+ | 3-4 | |
| CJA course (CJA230 or CJA231 recommended) | 3 | |
| Lab Science elective | 4-5 | |
| Foreign Language electives | 12-15 | |
Transfer Schools
- Portland State University
- Clark College
- Oregon Tech
- Western Oregon University
- Warner Pacific University
Awarding Requirements
The following requirement(s) must be fulfilled to be awarded the AAS in Mental Health, Social Service and Addiction Counseling degree:
- All core program courses (HS, WE280HS#) must be completed within five (5) years of starting the program.
Career Information
Explore potential careers related to this program, including typical job roles, employment trends, and projected growth. This information can help you better understand how your education may align with future career opportunities.
Cultural Literacy course