Program Tips

General Information

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services).

Technology Requirements

Students must have access to a laptop, computer, or device with a keyboard, and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off-campus.

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to CVTC's educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible.

Pre-Core Information

Students who have pre-core status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-core status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, academic preparedness requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. For more detailed information, visit the Pre-Core Health Advisement page.

Courses Available to Pre-core Students

By completing the courses listed below ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. It is strongly recommended that pre-core students complete these courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially.

These courses are typical for pre-core students:

• 809-198 Intro to Psychology or 809-251 General Psychology or 809-188 Developmental Psychology
• 801-136 English Composition 1 or 801-219 English Composition 1
• 801-197 Technical Reporting
• 809-196 Introduction to Sociology or 809-271 Introductory Sociology
• 806-189 Basic Anatomy (offered starting in Spring 2027)

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program requirements may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution given that program requirements are subject to change.

Demanding Coursework

The SUDC program is academically rigorous and demanding. Consider taking the general education courses (800 numbered courses) during summer semester or before entry into program courses. Students wanting to attend part-time should take all general education courses prior to starting as a program student. SUDC students are encouraged to take 200-level general education courses in lieu of 100-level courses for stronger academic preparation and future credit transferability. Program courses (550s) are designed to be taken in consecutive semesters for optimum learning and to ensure students can successfully complete the program in a timely manner. Students are expected to complete the program as outlined on the program requirements sheet published at the time of their program admission. Students who interrupt their individual academic plan will experience delays in completing their program. It is strongly recommended that students meet with an academic advisor to be sure they are on track with their academic plan. A grade of B- (80%) or better is required in all core program courses and a grade of C or better is required in all general education courses.

Helpful Background

Students accepted for enrollment in the SUDC program must abide by the substance abuse counselor code book, Chapter SPS 164, established by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. Understanding the code is very important. Violation of any of the rules and/or code will result in dismissal from the program. The Rules Regarding Unprofessional Conduct are found at http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/professional_services/160/164.

Program Information

Criminal Background Check

Upon starting the core program, students will be provided directions on how to request a criminal background check from a third party vendor. Please note that a fee will apply. Upon receipt of the criminal background check results, if a student has a criminal history, they will be advised of the possibility of being denied clinical placement. This denial could result in not being able to attend clinical(s) or graduate from the program. Additional background checks may be required during the student's enrollment in the program based on clinical site requirements. Students will be informed by CVTC if they need a criminal background check renewal.

Clinical Compliance

To be compliant with CVTC's partnering clinical agencies and the agencies' regulating bodies, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), students must be prepared to abide by vaccination mandates and health and safety guidelines as directed by those bodies. Vaccination requirements and health documentation must be completed and on file in Clinician Nexus prior to entering the core courses of this program. CVTC will notify students at the appropriate time with a specified deadline. Students will receive an email invite from Clinician Nexus to create an account and upload their own clinical compliance documents. Students are responsible for maintaining their own records. 

Clinical Experiences

The two clinical courses in the program provide hands-on experience in the profession. Students will attend regularly scheduled clinical hours at agency sites off-campus concurrently with on-campus classes. The scheduled clinical days and times for which students must be available vary by agency. Each clinical is 16 weeks with 12 hours of clinical time each week. Students are strongly encouraged to plan in advance for scheduling needs (childcare, work schedule, etc.) and financial challenges (gas, lack of availability for paid work, etc.) in semesters with clinical courses. Local clinical sites cannot be guaranteed. Students may have to move or drive a distance in order to complete clinical courses. Program faculty select, assign, and maintain college contracts with clinical sites.

Last Updated: February 24, 2026 @ 3:01 p.m.