Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Apply to Addiction Counseling

To join this program, you must apply for admission. This moderately competitive program accepts 20 students each Fall, Winter, and Spring Term. Students who are not immediately admitted into the program are put on a waitlist. In the case that a seat becomes available, applicants will be contacted based on the order of the waitlist. If you are not admitted from the waitlist, you will be sent a shortened application form and given priority admission status for the following term that is accepting students. Carefully review the step-by-step information provided below to better understand the application requirements and process.

Questions? Schedule a visit or talk with a program advisor.

How to apply

1. Apply to PCC

   Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Complete this step as soon as possible so you can start using PCC resources.

   Apply to PCC

2. Application timeline

   Term you want to start	Apply to Addiction Counseling
   Fall 2024	Admission is closed
   Winter 2025	October 7 – October 18, 2025
   Spring 2025	January 20 – January 31, 2025

   Take prerequisites

   These classes must be completed with a “C” or better and can be in-progress when you apply. If you’ve taken these at another college, contact us to have your transcripts evaluated.

   • WR 121: English Composition
   • LIB 101: Library Research & Beyond
   • AD 101: Addiction
   • AD 153: Theories of Counseling
   • AD 160: Basic Counseling Skills

3. Earn admission points

   Take these priority classes to earn “admission points”. Students with more admission points are considered for the program first. Classes can be in-progress when you apply. Earn 1 point each for taking:

   • PSY 239: Abnormal Psychology
   • AD 102: Drug Use & Addiction
   • AD 106: Smoking Cessation
   • AD 156: Professional Ethics in Counseling

4. Background check

   It is standard practice for practicum sites and employers to require a background check. Historically the addictions profession has been more understanding of previous experience within the justice system. For folks who are currently involved in the justice system, or wanting more information, please reach out to healthca@pcc.edu.

5. Submit application

   Complete the application to the Addiction Counseling program.

After you apply

Within two weeks after the admissions end date, we will notify applicants of acceptance status in the program. Check your MyPCC email! All communication is done through your PCC email account.

Once accepted you will need to do the following:

• Attend a required orientation meeting
• Meet with our career specialist, Tanya Maldonado, for resume and interview development. You can make an appointment by emailing connect2@pcc.edu. Appointments are available during term breaks.

How are applicants selected?

In the likely event that we have more than 20 applicants with 4 points, we use a lottery for admission. If you qualify but are not admitted, you’ll be added as a program alternate. Alternates are often selected for the program.  For detailed information on the point system, see the printable admissions advising guide.

Recommended counseling

We strongly recommend that applicants also receive personal counseling. PCC’s Counseling Services provides free, professional counseling services to students. We can recommend other low and no-cost counseling services in the Portland area.

A professional counselor can help you:

• Examine your motivations for entering the program.
• Resolve issues that may negatively impact your progress.
• Reinforce your positive motivations.
• Develop a powerful tool in your practice: your self-awareness and psychological health.
• Develop empathy for those who seek counseling services.

In other words, it helps you to understand what it feels like to be a client.

Recommended technology skills

Strong technology skills are essential for success in college and in this career. If you have little experience using computers, please contact healthca@pcc.edu for information on ways you can gain skills and experience. If you have basic computer skills but would like to strengthen your skills using tools like Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel and more, you may want to take CIS 120 – Digital Literacy I.