Chemical Dependency, Online

Competency Credential
Group of students

About this program

The Chemical Dependency credential arms professionals with real-world skills and practical takeaways to apply in their lines of work. From awareness and prevention to treatment and advocacy, students learn the health, social, political, and systemic aspects of drug use and addiction. Courses discuss ways to implement effective prevention strategies, identify signs of chemical dependency along with current treatment options. Upon completion of this online program, graduates will earn a professional credential and the understanding, knowledge, and confidence to influence change.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

8

Week Courses

100%

Online

1

Year Program

Careers

This professional credential is intended to enhance the skill level of degreed professionals currently working in fields such as law enforcement, education, human services, and healthcare.

Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Science of Substance Abuse & Addiction (DCP200)
  • Promotion and Prevention of Substance Use & Abuse (DCP201)
  • Comprehensive Treatment of Drug Abuse & Addiction (DCP202)
  • Advocacy & Social Policy Approaches to Addressing Substance Use & Abuse (DCP203)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

Our People

“The most effective strategy for addressing substance use and abuse is through the mobilization of local citizens. They serve as experts of their communities, because they retain a strong understanding of regional assets and potential barriers to change. Penn College understands the powerful role that local people play in addressing the current opioid and subsequent heroin epidemics.”

Dr. Elizabeth Winder

Assistant Professor of Human Services

Online Degrees

Learning that fits your lifestyle

Convenience

  • Accessible online anywhere in the world
  • Flexible scheduling – take classes part-time or full-time
  • Continue to work and be at home with your family
  • Transfer-friendly programs shorten time to complete your degree

Value

  • In-state tuition rate for all students, regardless of residency
  • Same rigor as on-campus programs

Service

  • One-on-one interaction with faculty
  • 24/7 online tutoring
  • Textbooks and course materials available for purchase online through The College Store
  • Graduates can participate in Commencement

Class Delivery

  • Classes delivered asynchronously through P.L.A.T.O., Penn College's Platform for Learning And Teaching Online
  • No required campus visits
Military Tuition Assistance

Military Tuition Assistance

Thanks to the Military Tuition Assistance Program, more tomorrow makers can find their futures at Penn College. Through this special offering, qualified active military personnel are eligible to pursue college credits tuition free.

Learn More

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Feb 24

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, February 24 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong corporate partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

CPWDC
Penn College News
09.19.2023

College teams ignore rain, shun 'Darkness'

Penn College comprised the largest showing at Sunday's Out of the Darkness Community Walk, helping to save lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Two teams – PCT Hope, organized by Mary R. Shuma Rudberg, director of counseling, and Katie L. Mackey, assistant director of disability and access resources; and the Wildcat men's basketball team – paid no heed to rain and joined other local residents in Montoursville's Indian Park.

09.14.2023

Getting the job done

Students are finishing the fifth week of classes already, and Career Services has marked each of those weeks on a calendar overflowing with networking opportunities for students and alumni. Activities from Sept. 10-14 included a daylong Human Services & Restorative Justice Expo on Tuesday and several more Recruitment Days, including an architecture-related one on Thursday.

09.13.2023

Student volunteers on hand as survivor shares message of hope

As another testament to Penn College students' willingness to be of hands-on service to the community, nine members of the Human Services and Restorative Justice Club volunteered to help with Tuesday night's appearance of Kevin Hines at the Community Arts Center.

Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Human Services students host ‘HOPE’ opiod event

Human Services students host ‘HOPE’ opiod event

This student-organized event was designed to raise awareness and humanize the local opioid epidemic.

Read more

More Information

  • A competency credential must be completed within three years of enrollment in the credential.
  • Non-traditional credit such as credit-by-exam, work/life experience, and transfer credit is limited to one third of the total credits in the credential. Two thirds of the requirements must be completed by course enrollment.
  • Students must earn a grade of C or better in each course to merit the credential.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page in our Course Catalog for general requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

International students who are studying in the United States on an F-1 visa must be enrolled in a full course of study in-person. Students are not permitted to enroll in an entirely online degree. Online degrees are available to international students pursuing the degree from their home country. Students must still meet all admissions criteria for admission to the college and any special admissions requirements that govern pursuit of their chosen major.

  • Ms. Susan Alberti, Executive Director, Clear Vision Residential, Inc.
  • Ms. Robin Dadzie, Case Management Supervisor, AIDS Resource Alliance
  • Mr. Christopher T Kriner, Detective Sergeant - Criminal Investigations, Old Lycoming Township Police Department
  • Ms. Amber B Morningstar, YWCA Program Director, YMCA Northcentral PA
  • Mr. Zane R Pardoe, Supervisor of Education, USP Lewisburg
  • Ms. Jennifer Reigel, Reentry Affairs Coordinator, FCC Allenwood/NE Region Office
  • Ms. Penny L Sines, Social Worker II, DOC SCI-Muncy
  • Nicole J Spring, Esquire, Chief Public Defender, Lycoming County Public Defender
  • Ms. Susan R Swartz, District Administrator, Dept. of Labor & Industry, OVR
  • Mr. Joseph J Weber, Permanency Services, Unit Supervisor, Lycoming Children & Youth Services