Course Syllabus

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ADC306: Recovery Coaching and Peer Support Specialist

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to gain the knowledge and skills to excel as a peer support specialist as evidenced by possessing the knowledge necessary to pass the various state and national certification exams. Students will also begin the process of applying for certification in their state and complete a portfolio outlining in detail the remaining steps to complete in order to become certified.

Note: One of the requirements for becoming a Peer Specialist in most states is lived experience with an addiction (being in recovery). Since this course is designed to prepare you for certification, you should consider whether you meet this requirement as part of your decision in choosing this course. 

Additionally, please be aware that this course does not automatically lead to certification. It is designed to equip you to lay out a plan for completing the required steps to become certified, but these steps will likely not be completed by the conclusion of this course, and additional steps beyond the course assignments are required.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  1. Explain the history, rationale and theoretical framework of Recovery Management and Recovery Oriented Systems of Care.
  2. Demonstrate aptitude in completing forms related to Peer Recovery Services.
  3. Conduct and explain basic services including case management, screening and intake, service planning and coordination, crisis management and referral.
  4. Describe basic models of treatment of substance use disorders (SUD) and co-occurring disorders (COD) including trauma informed care.
  5. Explain the importance of culturally relevant treatment and demonstrate basic cultural awareness.
  6. Describe the impact of various substances on the brain and body.
  7. Discuss basic ethical principles as related to the peer specialist role.
  8. Describe HIV and other infectious disease common among those with SUD.
  9. Describe and begin the process of completing certification requirements.
  10. Identify current local positions available upon certification.
  11. Complete the steps necessary to pursue employment in their state.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an asterisk (*). After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains:

  1. Christian Integration. Integrate Christian principles and counseling theories in an ethical manner in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
  2. Certification Exam Prep. Identify the key concepts needed to take a licensure exam either to apply to be a peer support specialist or certified addiction counselor.*
  3. Case Management. Develop case management plans to help clients identify areas where they need help and connecting them with personal and community resources that will help them.
  4. Chemical Dependency. Describe foundational concepts of chemical dependency including a range of psychoactive drugs and how they work.
  5. Psychology. Describe the foundational concepts of psychology and apply that in both Christian and secular counseling environments.
  6. Clinical Counseling Skills. Utilize foundational skills for clinical addiction counseling.
  7. Multicultural Counseling. Utilize effective methods to counsel diverse clients in both Christian and secular counseling environments.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

Additional Policies:

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: April 28, 2022

Course Summary:

Date Details Due