Rehabilitation Counseling and Behavioral Addictions (RCBA) Certificate

The 12 hour Certificate Program in Rehabilitation Counseling and Behavioral Addictions (RCBA) prepares culturally competent counselors to address the unique issues encountered by consumers with a variety of addictions, including, but not limited to,

  • Alcohol and Drug Use
  • Gambling Addiction
  • Sex Addiction
  • Eating Disorders
  • Criminal Offense

Specific emphasis is placed on addressing the distinctive needs of racial and ethnic minorities with substance or behavioral addictions which may be overlooked or misunderstood during the treatment process. Each of the four courses within this certificate program include content on the 12 core functions of addiction counselors as well as a specific focus on diversity. An addictive disorders internship experience (300 hours) under the supervision of a CCS/CSI supervisor is also required.

 RCBA Required Curriculum (12 Credit Hours)

Course #

Course Title and Description

Hours

COUN 716

Theories and Foundations of Addictions: This course introduces students to a wide range of theories and models of addiction, culturally competent treatment practices, and other topics related to addictions, including, but not limited to, alcohol and other drug abuse, gambling addiction, sex addiction, eating disorders, and criminal offense. Prerequisite: None.

3

COUN 767

Psychopathology and Addictions: This course will familiarize students with criteria, comorbidity rates, co-existing disorders, and issues of differential diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Various behavioral addictions will be explored within a cultural framework. Prerequisite: COUN 738.

3

COUN 768

Psychopharmacology and Addictive Behaviors: This course addresses the ways in which alcohol and other addictive substances affect the brain and behavior. Addictions addressed include, but are not limited to, alcohol and other drug abuse, gambling addiction, sex addiction, eating disorders, and criminal offense. This course will also explore the different classes of drugs and the associated street names for each drug. Prerequisite: COUN 743.

3

COUN 769

Marriage and Family Counseling and Addiction: This course will introduce the student to systems theory and the effects of the cycle of addictions on the family. The specific addictions addressed include, but are not limited to, alcohol and other drug abuse, gamily addiction, sex addiction, eating disorders, and criminal offense. Culturally relevant values and practices in providing services to the family will be addressed. COUN 750.

3

Total

 

12

COUN 785 or COUN 786

At least one 300-hour supervised clinical internship must take place in an addiction-focused setting under the supervision of a CCS or CSI.

3

 *This certificate program meets the educational requirements of the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Certification Board (Criteria C) for the Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS) designation.

Please see www.NCSAPPB.org for additional information or contact the coordinator of this program, Dr. Paige Dunlap at pdunlap@ncat.edu. A secondary point of contact for this program is Dr. Tammy Webb at ttwebb@ncat.edu. 

Department Chair: Dr. Caroline Booth (csbooth@ncat.edu), College Dean: Dr. Paula Groves Price (pgprice@ncat.edu)