Associate of Science

Drug And Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC)

Program Overview

It takes dedicated counselors with a passion for working with others to help people who are suffering from addiction recover their lives, achieve sobriety and stability. The Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling (DARC) program can provide you with the education and training you’ll need to work effectively in the field of substance abuse/addiction counseling. The DARC program is also ideal for professionals with advanced degrees who seek additional specialization in addiction counseling or state licensure as a Licensed Addiction and Drug Counselor (LADC) or certification as a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC).

Earn a degree

Degree options include:
- Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) A.S.
Career-oriented students are prepared for beginning positions in substance abuse counseling. Typical positions for which graduates are qualified include: Addictions Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor, Substance Abuse Technician, Substance Abuse Case Manager, Counselor I, or Counselor II.
Students who complete the program have a variety of transfer options available to them.

Earn a certificate

The DARC Certificate option provides specialized training for persons with advanced bachelors or masters degrees seeking to obtain certification or licensure as an addictions counselor.

Full Profile

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Assistant Professor / Program Coordinator

203-575-8655

Room: K610b

Career Possibilities

Some career opportunities may require additional education beyond an associates degree.

Certificate Programs

Academic & Transfer

Students who complete their Associates Degree in DARC can transfer to any of the four Connecticut State Universities through the Guaranteed Admissions Program. To be eligible, you must complete your associate degree in five (5) years or less with a 2.0 grade point average and must transfer within 2 years of completion of the associate degree. Post University accepts the DARC degree as a minor in their Human Services bachelor’s degree. Students in their final semester are provided information on transferring to bachelors or graduate degree programs.

Career Paths

Students who complete the DARC degree are highly sought after to work in the addictions field. Employment of substance abuse counselors is expected to grow 22% from 2014 through 2024, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition. Employment opportunities exist in private agencies, hospitals, prevention organizations, residential, inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, mental health organizations and the criminal justice system. Positions which graduates from the DARC program are hired, include the following positions:

Addictions Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Technician

Substance Abuse Case Manager

Counselor I

Counselor II

DARC Program FAQs

HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET CERTIFIED AS AN ADDICTIONS COUNSELOR?

Certification as an addictions counselor (CAC) requires 300 hours of addiction specific education, a clinical practicum and paid work hours in the addictions field. The DARC program provides the education and clinical practicum requirement. Students can complete the required DARC program in three to four semesters. When they graduate with a DARC Certificate or Associates Degree they are qualified to sit for the Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC) exam.

SHOULD I PLAN TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION AT A 4-YEAR SCHOOL ONCE I EARN AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE IN DARC?

Students are encouraged to continue on to bachelor's and master's degree programs in psychology, community counseling, human services or social work. Students who continue on for a master's degree in counseling can obtain licensure (LADC) once the degree requirements are completed and as long as they have passed the CAC exam.

CAN I TRANSFER TO A 4-YEAR SCHOOL WITH A DARC DEGREE?

Want to specialize in addictions counseling?

The Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (DARC) program provides education and training for persons who want to become a Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC). The DARC curriculum (30 credits) meets the Connecticut Certification Board (CCB) 360 hours of education/training requirements needed to sit for the CAC exam.

The DARC curriculum requires two years of academic study which includes general education, DARC specialty courses and a one year internship. Students need to complete four (4) core DARC courses (DAR H101, DAR H111, DAR H112, DAR H158), and ENG H101 with a C or better to apply for the Internship portion of the program. The clinical internship runs from the fall to spring semester. Acceptance into the clinical internship, (DAR H251, DAR H252) is based upon an application, screening and interview process.

“As an adult learner looking for a career change, the Drug & Alcohol Recovery Counselor Program offered me a degree that allowed me to start a new career in just two years. I am proud to be in the first group of graduating DARC students at NVCC and thank my professor and advisor for her dedication and determination to make this program possible and successful.” - Linda Jacobucci, DARC Intern, 2008

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