Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist
San Jacinto College is now offering a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Occupational Certificate. This 20-hour certificate prepares students to apply to be a Texas Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS). The curriculum is approved by the Texas Department of Health Services.
This certificate provides students with the knowledge and skills to help prevent drug and alcohol use and abuse within schools, neighborhoods, and greater communities.
Students will learn to identify the stages of addiction, utilize evidenced-based prevention strategies within a cultural context, identify risk and protective factors for substance use disorders, describe resources for prevention planning, and explain program evaluation methods.
The coursework, combined with the capstone experience at a prevention approved training center enables students to work in the area of drug prevention in a variety of settings that include:
- K-12 schools,
- Juvenile justice settings (alternative schools or youth offender programs),
- Local community coalitions, and
- At-risk programs.
Once coursework is completed, students will need to complete 2,000 hours of prevention work experience and must pass a state exam to obtain their license as a Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS).
For more information, students may contact 281-998-6350, x7146 or mentalhealthservices@sjcd.edu.
Campuses
North Campus
South Campus
San Jac Online
In accordance with Texas House Bill 1508, the College informs all students in this program who may have a criminal background that a criminal history could keep graduates from being licensed by the state of Texas. Students with any questions about their background and licensure may speak with the Department Chair.
Students may view the application and information packet on the Mental Health Services website.
Plan of Study
6MH-SAPS
| First Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DAAC 1319 | Introduction to Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| DAAC 2306 | Substance Abuse Prevention I | 3 |
| SCWK 1303 | Ethics for Social Service Professionals | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Second Term | ||
| DAAC 2353 | Substance Abuse Prevention II | 3 |
| DAAC 1304 | Pharmacology of Substance Use Disorders | 3 |
| SCWK 1313 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer Year One Term | ||
| DAAC 1264 | Practicum - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling (Prevention) | 2 |
| Credits | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Capstone Experience: DAAC 1264 Practicum - Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling (Prevention) Note: Students must pass each course listed in the degree or certificate for Mental Health Services with a grade of C or higher to be eligible to receive a degree or certificate.