Restore Hope. Rebuild Lives.
Empower people to reclaim their lives and thrive in recovery.
You see the spark where others see only struggle. You’re drawn to the moments that matter most—when someone chooses hope over despair. Channel that instinct to heal into a career where you guide individuals from survival to thriving.
Build a foundation in substance use disorders, counseling techniques, group facilitation and treatment planning. Owens’ 8-credit Addiction Services Certificate serves as a foundation for the Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) certification.
Elevate your expertise in these core areas:
- Recognize addiction patterns: Understand how addiction impacts individuals and families.
- Develop strong counseling skills: Foster trust and help build healthy behaviors.
- Learn assessment techniques: Evaluate client needs; coordinate treatment interventions.
Expert Guidance.
Our instructors are experts who take pride in your success. You’ll get one-on-one mentorship and precise technical feedback tailored to your goals.
Award Type
Certificate
Department
Department of Teacher Education and Human Services
Required Credit Hours
8
By the Numbers
CDCA
Renewable certification through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Board
18-24
Months (coursework and practicum typically completed in 1 year)
>$46K
$46,255 to $52,300 average annual salaries in Ohio for Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistants
Your Streamlined Path to Meaningful Work
Begin a purpose-filled career in addiction services with just three courses. Owens is on the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s list of preapproved colleges to offer this program.
SWK 101 – CDCA I – Preliminary: 40+ hours of specialized training that will prepare you for Ohio’s CDCA Preliminary certification, the first step toward earning the Renewable CDCA credential.
SWK 102 – Addiction Service Internship I: Complete 50 hours of supervised fieldwork in an addiction-focused social service agency. Your fieldwork will be paired with weekly classroom discussions connecting experiences to professional practice. Coursework will include journaling and written reflections to deepen learning.
SWK 103 – CDCA II – Renewable: Complete the 30+ hours of specialized chemical dependency education required for Ohio’s CDCA Renewable certification. You’ll cover core topics such as Substance Use Disorder (SUD) knowledge, counseling strategies, group facilitation, assessment, treatment planning and ethics. You’ll also receive training in crisis prevention, mental-health-first aid and poverty awareness.
Build the Base for What’s Next
This certificate provides a strong foundation for advanced study and can be earned as part of Owens’ Social Work Transfer Pathway, AS program. You can continue into a bachelor’s degree in social work or other related fields such as psychology or criminal justice.
The CDCA represents an entry-level role in the behavioral health field. While additional training, education, and experience are required to become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, earning your CDCA is the first step on that professional pathway.
Career Outcomes
Turn your compassion into a thriving career. Addiction specialists are in increased demand. Complete this program and earn Preliminary and CDCA Renewable Certificates through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
This credential opens doors to roles as a case manager, recovery coach, substance abuse counselor or support specialist across mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, hospitals and community programs.
Explore the employment data to understand trends in our area.
Important Certification Information
At the end of our CDCA I and II courses, you’ll be eligible for certification through the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (OCDP) Board. You are responsible for submitting all required paperwork and paying the initial and renewal certification fees directly to the Board—and doing so within their deadlines—to receive CDCA credentials. We’ll guide you through the process so you know exactly what to expect.
The CDCA credential is issued by the OCDP Board and is recognized for work in Ohio. If you plan to move or practice in another state, each state has its own licensing and credentialing requirements.
While the training you complete at Owens may be valuable and count toward other states’ requirements, the CDCA itself is not automatically transferable. We encourage you to check with the licensing board in the state where you plan to work.
In Their Words
“I’ve always been able to get my questions answered and the professors are nice. With being a single mom, they’ve always helped me out. They’ve made it easy for me to graduate.”
Brittany Persinger, Social Work, ’25
Getting Started at Owens
Begin your high-quality education at an affordable price today!
Enrollment is easy—just fill out an online admissions application to get started. We’ll ask you to submit your transcripts for course placement and college credit.
Upon acceptance, schedule a meeting with your admissions advisor to register for classes. Next, attend an on-campus orientation and meet with your student financial services advisor to discuss ways to pay for college.