All first level courses in the Behavioral Health program are open for enrollment. Students can work with the advising department to map out an academic plan part-time or full time.  Once students finish all the first-level courses, they will be officially enrolled and coded into the Behavioral Health program to progress and complete their second-year courses and practicum. 

Students will have the option to designate their focus, determined by their practicum of choice. 

The BH program is designed as a two-year program. It combines academic work with twenty-five credits of field work practicum. The Addiction studies pathway requires 15 of the 25 practicum credits to be completed in the addiction field. The Direct Support and Mental Health Services pathway requires 25 practicum credits in the field. Two terms in one agency count as one practicum site. Review your responsibilities as a practicum student. 

Completion of the Behavioral Health degree, will allows students: 

• to qualify for the Qualified Mental Health Associate, (QMHA) credential upon completion of coursework and post-degree supervision
• to be eligible to obtain cross credentials in both; Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and QMHA

Addiction Counselor Certification

If you have a bachelor's or master's degree and wish to work in the field of addiction treatment, you may enroll in the Addiction Counselor Certification Preparation program. This one-year certificate program will prepare you to sit for the Oregon Level 1 Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor exam.

Field Work (Practicum)
You will work with one practicum site to complete 15-25 credits of practicum. Review your responsibilities as a practicum student and visit our field work tab for more information.

Involving you as an active member of a helping agency integrates academic and practical experience. Practicum is literally instruction in the field. You will be placed in a Behavioral Health/Human Services agency under the direct supervision of agency personnel. Each practicum placement will reflect your interests, ability and educational goals.

Students with criminal histories may be prevented from obtaining the necessary field experience required for program completion.

Practicum Objectives

• System Skills
  • Develop an awareness of the philosophy, activities, and practices of the agency
  • Develop a capacity to work with agency staff in establishing and maintaining your place in the agency
• Service Skills
  • Develop and practice the skills necessary to work with clients served by the agency
• Personal Skills
  • Develop, practice, and evaluate the values, attitudes, and skills that you possess and/or acquire as a human service worker
• Practicum Sites
  • We collaborate with the leading agencies in the area. Follow the link and click on an agency’s name for a description of what you can expect from your practicum at each site.

Ask about your responsibilities as a practicum student.

This program does not require background checks or drug screening before entering into the program. However, you will want to familiarize yourself with how future employers might use these procedures. Whether you are hired or promoted for a job may depend on the information revealed in a background check. Job applicants, existing employees, and volunteers may be required to submit to background checks and/or drug screens by federal or state law. For more information, visit privacyrights.org. 

We offer the following continuing educations classes for CADC I training

• Alcohol & Drugs of Abuse Pharmacology (2 day course/ $210)
• Infectious Disease Risk Assessment & Risk Reduction ( 1 day course/ $105)
• Clinical Evaluation ASAM (1 day course/ $105)

These are offered on an as needed basis, if you are interested please fill out our interest form linked here.

For addition information regarding CADC I requirements please visit the MCACBO website linked here.

*fees are subject to change