1. There is no formal application to enter the program. This is an open enrollment program which requires the completion of 33 units of designated classes. (See enclosed material) In order to "enter" the program all you need to do is to begin taking the required classes in the appropriate sequence.
2. The final six (6) units of the program will be earned by completing two clinical internships. Each internship will require a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer hours in sites provided by instructor. There is no salary for these hours. Both of these internships can be completed in one semester.
3. The length of the program will vary depending upon the number of courses the student enrolls in for each semester. It generally takes at least 4 semesters to complete the entire program if the student is attending school full time. There are no chemical dependency or internship classes offered during the summer.
4. When the student completes all of her/his academic requirements with a grade of C or higher, and is ready to begin the internship portion of the program, s/he is required to get a letter of recommendation from two faculty members who teach in the Psychology Department of East Los Angeles College. These letters should address the student's readiness to assume the responsibility of representing ELAC in the community as evidenced by strong work skills, good judgment, appropriate appearance and behavior and effective communications skills, both verbal and written. These letters should be completed before the first week of the internship class. In some situations, although a student has successfully completed the academic portion of the program with a C average or better, s/he may not be given permission to enter the clinical internship because s/he has failed to get two letters of recommendation from ELAC psychology instructors.
5. We strongly recommend 12 months of continuous sobriety before beginning the if you are recovering.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me at (323) 265-8946. Please leave the best time for me to reach you during the day and in the evening on my voice mail. I look forward to meeting you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Karen Taback, EdD, Director
Chemical Dependency Counselor Certificate Program
Recommended Sequence for Entering Students to the Chemical Dependency Counselor Certificate Program
Semester I
Units Courses
3 Psych. 1 General Psychology
3 Psych. 64 Introduction to Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Chemical
Dependency
3 Psych. 43 Principle of Group Dynamics I
Semester 2
3 Psych. 14 Abnormal Psychology
3 Psych. 68 Biophysiology of Substances
3 Psych. 63 Alcohol/Drug Studies Prevention and Education
Semester 3
3 Psych. 65 Intervention, TX and Recovery
3 Psych. 67 Counseling Techniques for the Chemically Addicted
3 Psych. 37 Psychology of Codependency and Family System
Semester 4
3 Psych. 81 Field Work I
3 -Psych. 82 Field Work II
