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The Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC) program is designed to prepare students to work with individuals with substance use disorders. Students will explore areas of assessment, case management, counseling, education and professional responsibility. Students will also develop and apply the skills necessary to work in a variety of agency settings offering substance abuse treatment and recovery services.

• Clinically evaluate for substance use disorders and treatment needs
• Develop treatment needs
• Facilitate referrals to meet needs
• Demonstrate service coordination skills
• Demonstrate counseling skills with individuals, groups, and families
• Provide education relevant to substance use
• Maintain clinical records according to agency, federal and state guidelines
• Adhere to accepted culturally competent, ethical and behavioral conduct

The program includes internship experiences over the last two semesters at clinical sites and treatment-providing agencies where students observe and integrate knowledge and skills acquired earlier in semesters with the guidance of a clinical supervisor. 

In addition, the SUDC program satisfies the 100-hour educational component for licensing as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Training and the 360-hour educational component for licensing as a Substance Abuse Counselor and Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor as required by the State of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). A student may apply for their in-training license through the State of Wisconsin DSPS as soon as the 100 hours of education are completed in this program at Blackhawk Technical College and start working in the field to gain hours of experience needed for licensure as a Substance Abuse Counselor or a Clinical Substance Abuse Counselor.