Program Details
Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate of Competence (21 credits) offers you the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills required by the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, (ICRC) which governs Hawai‘i state certification of substance abuse counselors. The certificate fulfills the substance abuse-specific education requirement for Hawai‘i state certification and satisfies a portion of the experiential hour’s requirement. Requirements for the Certificate of Competence
This is a two-year, part-time program of study. You will need (in most cases) to complete (HSER 100, HSER 140, 268, 245, 270) clinical courses prior to enrollment in the second year, fall HSER 294, and spring HSER 295 fieldwork courses where you complete 400 hours over that year in a substance use disorder treatment facility. Costs: Tuition and fees
Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute (HBHTI) Grant Awardees
Hear about these life changing experiences provided through this opportunity. For more information about the HBHTI, please visit www.hawaii.edu/hbhti
Pamela (Kauʻi ) Keola
Elizabeth Tucker
Arturo Magana
Koa Dougherty
Legalo Leslie
Shana Wingler
This HBHTI is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under 1 M01HP42453‐01‐00, Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute, totaling $2,216,000 with 0 percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Program Contact
Please direct any questions and inquiries to cosuds@hawaii.edu.
Pamela (Kau‘i) Keola on the support of classmates:
“…we built a relationship…we made friendships, and that to me is the most important. Secondly, of course, is the knowledge that was gained.”
Elizabeth Tucker on the connections made with classmates:
“They made it fun…we made it fun for each other. We connected, we became family…till today, we still have a group text, and we connect…we learn from each other.”
Elizabeth Tucker on the bond created with classmates and its impact:
“I was actually surprised how we had bonded…because now we know everybody that went through the whole 2-year program, and we pour into each other. We let each other know [about] different resources.”
Arturo Magaña on meaningful internship experiences:
“I loved it because I was constantly being challenged…I love being shown different things and being able to operate, almost like taking the cap off your limitations and being free to do what you’ve been trained to do [in my internship]. I was able to lead a group. I worked in the group, which…some of these men are a little bit on the wild side, but you know what, I gravitate to guys like that because that was me.”
Arturo Magaña on feeling motivated and encouraged throughout the COSUDS Program:
“This program has been a blessing. The seminars, the [discussions], even in our class, have been really inspiring, and even hearing the testimonies from different people that were where we are and where they’re at now has definitely been encouraging to continue to press on.”
Koa Dougherty on the benefits of the COSUDS Program:
“The different courses that [are offered], the individual counseling, group counseling, all the different theories that they introduce to us, all the different interventions that they go over with us, and the ethics. Itʻs a well-rounded experience. I think they introduced us to many of the different moving parts of being a substance abuse counselor.”
Koa Dougherty on the benefit of roleplaying in COSUDS Program courses:
“I really appreciate doing the role plays…being able to practice being a counselor or roleplay as a client, then also being able to observe the other students doing their roleplays. It was kind of a bonding experience between me and the other students…being able to practice counseling in that way, and then being able to see it from both sides. I think that was one of the best activities that I did when I was in the classes.”
Koa Dougherty on the impact of the COSUDS Program:
“I’m so excited about the opportunities the COSUDS Program has presented me. The COSUDS Program has got me a job, I have a career now. We’re at an outstanding site.”
Legalo Leslie on the impact of COSUDS Program professors prioritizing self-care as a counselor:
“When we’re in fieldwork, [our professors] focus on us as a person, not just as a professional. I really like the discussion that we have about how we are feeling, watching for burnout, just being able to check in because we’re constantly checking in on others.”
Shana Wingler on the importance of supervision and working together with classmates:
“The fieldwork has been amazing. It’s been amazing just to be supervised…to have classmates that we can talk story, compare notes, and share experiences.”
Shana Wingler on meaningful fieldwork experiences:
“I was very lucky at my agency to be able to [obtain hours in each of the 12 Core Functions]. They had me rotating around, and I was able to do all twelve. I really appreciated being able to touch on all those core functions.”