Mental Health & Human Services

Explore on This Page

• Job Titles & Career Info
• Our Program
• Degrees & Certificates
• How Much Time & Money to Finish?
• Earn More Choices & More Money
• Start on Your Pathway!

Job Titles & Career Info

Our Program

Why Choose Mental Health & Human Services?

• Work empathically with individuals as they prepare to live more healthy & meaningful lives
• Engage in practical skills while completing a Practicum or Academic Cooperative at local agencies
• Learn assessment, documentation & referral skills
• Develop skills in accurate & ethical reporting to case management teams, insurance companies & legal officials
• Gain awareness of professional agencies & programs for networking & future career opportunities

Prepare for What You Will Do at Work

Substance Abuse Counselor Intern

• Prepare intake & assessment documentation
• Facilitate groups & counsel individuals using therapeutic interventions to develop coping skills, self-care plans & relapse prevention
• Maintain treatment plans & client progress for insurance & auditing purposes
• Communicate ethically with local & state officials regarding client progress

Mental Health Tech

• Assist clients with daily care, schedule & meetings
• Help clients in the educational aspect of recovery programs
• Prepare & evaluate recovery plans with clients
• Maintain referral documents for agency

Social & Human Services Assistant

• Help social workers & counselors with group counseling
• Meet with clients to determine presenting concerns
• Maintain referral documents & assist clients in obtaining services
• Transport clients to & from appointments & meetings as needed

Explore Professional Organizations

• Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP)
• National Association for Addiction Professionals, NAADAC
• National Organization for Human Services (NOHS)

Marketable Skills You Will Learn

• Critical thinking
• Reasoning
• Communication
• Personal & social responsibility
• Teamwork
• Computer literacy

Before You Enroll, Think About:

Your Characteristics

This field involves a willingness to listen with empathy and recognize that each client deserves an individual approach.

Professional and personal ethics are essential for ultimate success.

If you are interested in entering this field, you should have:

• Empathy
• Acceptance
• Understanding
• Genuineness
• Mental stability

You will need to be healthy—mentally and physically—to work in this field.

Coursework

Program-related courses are offered on Northeast Campus only. You may take core courses on any campus.

We prefer you take the following before enrolling in the program courses:

• COSC-1301 Introduction to Computing
• ENGL-1301 English Composition I

Special Requirements

Apply as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (LCDC-I)

Our substance abuse counseling certificate will prepare you to apply as a licensed chemical dependency intern with the State of Texas.

Full licensure (LCDC) requires :

• Completion of an associate degree
• 4,000 intern hours
• Passing the state license exam

Step 1: Complete all other coursework and these 5 courses:

• DAAC-1304 Pharmacology of Addiction
• DAAC-2307 Addicted Family Intervention
• DAAC-2341 Counseling Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions
• PSYT-2339 Counseling Theories
• PSYT-2345 Principles of Behavior Management and Modification

Step 2: Take these 2 courses at the same time after completing courses from Step 1:

• DAAC-2343 Current Issues
• DAAC-2366 Practicum: Substance Abuse / Addiction

Criminal Background Check

You must undergo and pass the criminal background check for the State of Texas in order to receive certification as a LCDC Intern.

• Learn more: Criminal Background Check & State Requirements

Texas Administrative Code

Health Services Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors:

• Rule §140.431 Criminal History Standards

Texas Health and Human Services

• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program

Licensing Notice: Texas House Bill 1508

This program prepares you for an occupational license. However, you may not be eligible for licensing if you have a prior criminal history.

For more details, see Texas House Bill 1508 Licensing Requirements

Need a boost to get ready for college?

Talk to your advisor about Developmental Studies if your TSI scores say you need some help in math or reading and writing.

Degrees & Certificates

Degree

• Mental Health & Human Services, AAS

Certificate

Level 1

• Social Work

Degree

• Mental Health Substance Abuse Counseling, AAS

Certificate

Level 1

• Substance Abuse Counseling

Transfer

All Campuses

• Social Work Field of Study

How Much Time & Money to Finish?

2024–2025 Academic Year

Notes:

• Tuition is based on in-state, in-county rates.
• Totals do not include textbooks and other materials.

Continuing Education Programs

Time commitments and fees vary depending on the course.

Earn More Choices & More Money

Transfer to a college or university to continue your studies. Earning a bachelor’s degree opens the door to career and promotion opportunities.

For example, you will be ready to work toward:

• Bachelor of Social Work degree with a Minor in Substance Abuse Counseling
• Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Studies
• Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science

Next steps

• Talk to your advisor about planning for transfer
• Explore transfer schools

Start on Your Pathway!