As the only community college in Stanislaus County that offers a Chemical Dependency Counseling Program, Modesto Junior College can fully prepare students academically to take the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Program’s state licensing exam. Once licensed, students can apply their knowledge and expertise to help individuals who are battling addictions.

“It is a well-rounded program,” said Dr. Kimberly Kennard, professor of human services at MJC. “Students are given the knowledge to successfully diagnose, interview, and counsel those who are chemically dependent.”

Students who maintain a GPA higher than 2.0 are given an opportunity to earn a California Association for Drug and Alcohol Educators Certificate of Achievement after they complete 36 units in the Human Services Program. 

Those who complete the Associate’s Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling will demonstrate an understanding of chemical dependency and chemical dependency counseling, exhibit effective communicative abilities to best accommodate those with addictions, obtain a thorough knowledge of addiction and social problems, and examine how addictions play into relationships within individuals or groups.

 “I think it is important to have a program like this because we have so many people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol,” said Kennard. “The clients who are addicted deserve someone who is educated and qualified to help them help themselves.”

In addition, the Chemical Dependency Counseling Program will be just one of the programs that will be featured at MJC Human Services Fall Orientation on Aug. 21. Open to the public, the orientation will showcase the degrees, certificates of achievement, and awards available to students in the aforementioned program, as well as those in human services, psychosocial rehabilitation, and gerontology.

Those who attend can have any questions they have answered by representatives from Stanislaus County, behavioral health care, chemical dependency counseling, and children and family services who will also be in attendance.

For more information on the Chemical Dependency Program or the MJC Human Services Fall Orientation, contact Dr. Kimberly Kennard at 575-6864.