MHEC approves GC’s Addictions Counseling program for health manpower designation

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) recently awarded Garrett College’s Addictions Counseling program the coveted Statewide and Health Manpower designation.

“The MHEC designation recognizes that this program provides a key tool in addressing a statewide problem,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president.  “It reinforces the rationale we had for creating this program – to develop a cadre of trained professionals who can help address an addictions challenge faced by our region, our state and our nation.”

As a Statewide and Health Manpower program, students from across Maryland who wish to study in this Associate of Applied Science program can attend Garrett College at GC’s in-county tuition rate.  The state reimburses GC for the difference between the in-county and out-of-county tuition rate.

“The primary impetus for the program was to prepare local students for employment in a career field that has strong employment potential and addresses a community need,” said Nicole Nightengale, GC’s assistant professor in addictions counseling.  “However, we are more than willing to offer that same opportunity to students across the state at in-county tuition rates.”

Nightengale noted that the AAS program provides both theoretical coursework and hands-on instruction and field experiences.

“Both components are necessary to attain certification as a Certified Supervised Alcohol and Drug Counselor [CSC-AD] through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists,” she explained.

“The Addictions Counseling program has great potential,” continued Nightengale.  “The helping field is very demanding and Garrett College exhibits the high academic standards necessary to prepare students for work in the Addictions Counseling field.”