Welcome to the Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (AODS) Certificate and Associate Program

Overview

The State of California now requires that anyone who provides counseling services in alcohol and other drug treatment programs be certified.

Palomar College offers an 11 course Certificate Program that will prepare you to become certified to work in this exciting field. Palomar College offers both a Certificate and AS Degree in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies (AODS).

The Palomar College AODS program is accredited by both the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Educators (CAADE) CAADE and the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) ccapp.us 

The AODS Program provides the student with the academic training and hands on experience for employment in delivery of alcohol and other drug treatment services and serves as a preparation for California state examinations as a certified addictions treatment counselor by  CCAPP/IC&RC,     CADTP and CAADE

Job Growth

Did you know that if you are considering a career as a Substance Abuse Counselor, you have chosen a field that has been identified by the United States Bureau of Statistics for outstanding growth projections? The increase in employment for Substance Abuse Counselors is 23%!  That is one of the highest projected growth increases of any occupation listed in the “U.S. Occupational Outlook Handbook.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 24.7% employment growth for substance use counselors and behavioral disorder counselors between 2019 and 2029.