Admission
Application Process
Step 1: Attend an Alcohol and Drug Counseling Program Orientation
This orientation is for students interested in applying to the Alcohol and Drug (AD) Counseling program. A variety of issues are covered including, application process, acceptance requirements, program requirements, criminal background check, sobriety requirements, transferability of credits and practicum.
Orientations are offered from 5pm to 5:50pm at Cascade Campus Jackson Hall, Rm. 207 on the following Tuesdays:
- September 23, 2008
- October 21, 2008
- December 2, 2008
- January 20, 2009
- March 3, 2009
- April 28, 2009
- June 2, 2009
Questions? If you have any questions that simply won’t wait for the next scheduled orientation, please feel free to call Lucy Sheehey at 503-978-5271.
Step 2: Take College Placement Test
See the College Placement Tests web page for information, study guides and testing dates. See the Alcohol and Drug Counseling catalog pages for information on score requirements.
Step 3: Request official transcripts
Request official transcripts from any and all colleges you have attended other than PCC. Depending on the time of year, it may take more than 4 weeks to process your request, so place your requests as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to ensure that transcripts are in our office by the deadline. Have transcripts mailed to: PCC, Candia Elliott JH/210A, 705 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217
Step 4: Make an advising appointment
In order to apply for the Alcohol and Drug (AD) Counselor Program, prospective AD students must make an advising appointment with either Lucy Sheehey. Because advising for the program is very specific, if your appointment is not with one of these two advisors, your application will not be processed.
You should take the program planning worksheets, the long term planning worksheet and the Advising Verification form with you to your appointment and, when your appointment is completed, ask the advisor to sign and date the long term planning worksheet and the Advising Verification form. You will be submitting the signed and dated worksheet and form along with your other application materials. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make your advising appointment early enough to submit this form by the application deadline.
Step 5: Complete: AD 101 Alcohol Use and Addiction, with a grade 'C' or above.
See the class schedule to find out when AD 101 is offered.
Step 6: Complete the Application
Complete the Alcohol and Drug Counseling application (MS Word version) and return to Portland Community College Cascade Campus, Jackson Hall 210.
Please note: Counselors already working in the field of Alcohol and Drug Counseling who wish to take selected AD courses may request admission to individual courses on a space available basis without applying to the AD Counselor Program. Contact the Department Chair, Jon Gieber, to obtain permission.
Recommendation
We strongly recommend that all students have recently received or are currently receiving personal counseling. There are several reasons for a potential counselor to undergo counseling. It is important to consider one’s motives when entering any type of counseling program; a professional counselor can help you examine your motivations, resolve issues that may be negatively impacting your decision and reinforce your positive motivations. The most powerful tool you have as a counselor is your own self-awareness and psychological health. Participating in counseling as a client facilitates the development of empathy for those who seek counseling services. In other words, it helps you to understand what it feels like to be a client.
PCC's Counseling Services provides free, professional counseling services. Services are open to both currently attending and potential students. PCC Counseling Services and the Alcohol and Drug Counseling can recommend other low and no-cost counseling services in the Portland metro area.