College Catalog: 2011-2012

Ramapo College offers a minor in Substance Abuse that is primarily designed for students who are interested in substance abuse counseling.

Students will be expected to have introductory courses in both psychology and biology* as prerequisites for the minor sequence.

The courses in the minor will include:

1. Substance Abuse (An introductory course that must be taken
   prior to core courses).
2. Drugs and Behavior (Psychopharmacology).
3. Counseling Substance Abusers I (An overview of counseling
   needs and issues facing abusers and their families).
4. Counseling Substance Abusers II (Treatment and techniques).
5. Integrative Fieldwork: Substance Abuse Practicum in Treatment (intervention or prevention).

The courses are repeated each year so that they can be taken in as few as three semesters.

The minor in Substance Abuse is designed to fulfill a significant proportion of the academic requirements applicable towards state certification in substance abuse counseling (Alcohol and other Drugs of Abuse Counselor Certification). The fieldwork will give a hands-on experience in community agencies who deliver these services. Fieldwork will count towards the fieldwork/experience hours required for certification.

In the fieldwork setting, students are required to act in a professional manner and abide by ethical guidelines.

The minor will be of particular interest to students majoring in the helping professions such as psychology and social work. Some courses in the minor also count towards satisfying major requirements in psychology and social work. However, the minor is open to all interested students.

Note: For further information on State CAC/
CADC requirements please contact:
The Certification Board
1200 Tices Lane
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
1 732 249 1991
www.certbd.com**

The faculty teaching in this program are all professionals in the field of substance abuse counseling. In addition to full-time faculty and staff at Ramapo College, experts from the community teach in the program on an adjunct basis. This provides students with the best combination: excellent teachers who have years of direct, professional experience in the field.

*Introduction to Biology, Fundamentals of Biology or approved course by the Convener.
** Disclaimer below

1. At least 1/2 of the courses fulfilling a minor must be distinct from the student’s major. That is, three of the five courses required for a minor cannot be used towards fulfillment of major requirements. A school core does not need to be completed for a minor. Minors are open to students regardless of school affiliation.

School of Social Science and Human Services Website
Faculty Profiles