Mental Health Services

Admission Policy

The Mental Health Services programs include a core curriculum of courses that provide a foundation for the Mental Health Services Associate of Applied Science degree with specialization options in Chemical Dependency, At-Risk Youth, or Social Work. The Chemical Dependency and At-Risk Youth specialization options may be in the form of certificates or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees. An additional program offered by the Mental Health Services Program is the Community Health Worker Certificate.

Not all colleges and universities accept workforce development courses in transfer. Students must coordinate with the Mental Health Services Program and the college or university to which they want to transfer prior to enrollment.

Students who successfully complete the Advanced Certificate of Completion or Associate of Applied Science Degree with a Chemical Dependency specialization and are otherwise qualified, have the opportunity to prepare for licensure as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Students who complete the minimum educational requirements as outlined by the DSHS will be evaluated on an individual basis before being eligible to enroll in the course DAAC 2367 Practicum, which provides the DSHS required 300 hour practicum. Effective September 2004, eligibility for licensure includes the requirement of an associate or more advanced degree with a course of study in human behavior/development and service delivery, such as the AAS Chemical Dependency specialization in the Mental Health Services Program.

Students in any of the specializations are advised that certain felonies or misdemeanors may prevent the student from accomplishing practicum hours or of being able to receive gainful employment. If students have any convictions it is their responsibility to contact the State Agency from which they hope to receive certification/licensure to see if they are eligible to proceed.

Applicants for the program must follow the regular procedure for admission to Central Texas College.

• All students are required to complete a practicum class in order to graduate.

  - Have completed all prerequisite classes achieving a grade of ‘C’ or higher.

  - Have a telephone or face-to-face appointment with the Mental Health Services Program practicum professor.

  - Submit an application showing intent to enroll in practicum.

  - Find a practicum site (must be approved by the Mental Health Services Program).

  - Be aware that field placement experiences will require travel at your expense.

  - Be aware that neither Central Texas College nor clinical facilities in which field placement occurs provide medical coverage, workers’ compensation, or emergency care. Medical coverage is the responsibility of the student.

  - Meet physical exam and immunization requirements which include:

  a. Proof of a physical exam completed within the last six months, signed appropriately.

  b. Proof of immunization/protection against (MMR, Measles Booster, Tdap, Varicella).

  c. TB Skin Test.

  d. Hepatitis B series that takes six months to complete.

  - Provide proof of CPR/First Aid course completion.

  - In addition to the above requirements, prior to the first day of class in the Practicum, the student must document eligibility by doing the following.

  a. Submit the actual results of a Criminal Background Check, at the student’s own expense, to the CTC Mental Health Services Program Director.

  b. Submit the results of a Drug Screen, at the student’s expense, to the CTC Mental Health Services Program Director.

  c. Sign a Release of Information for the Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen results, if negative, to be released to the facility to which the student is applying to complete the required practicum hours.

  d. Sign and agree to comply with a Code of Ethics/Confidentiality Agreement.

NOTE All documentation must be received by the Mental Health Services program prior to the practicum start date. Students cannot start accumulating hours until all documentation has been received.

Progression Requirements

In order for you to progress in the Mental Health Services Program, the following is required:

• Achieve a grade of “C” or better in all courses in the degree or certificate plan, to include academic and vocational or workforce development courses.
• Meet admission and course prerequisite requirements.
• If the student has been inactive in the program for five or more years, or took the equivalent of certain courses longer than five years ago, the need for those to be repeated will be evaluated on an individual basis. The following courses must be repeated: Substance Related and Addictive Disorders, Assessment Skill of AOD, Pharmacology of Addiction and Counseling AOD Addictions.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must:

• Meet general admission requirements of CTC and the Mental Health Services Program.
• Provide transcript and course descriptions of vocational or workforce development and academic courses from all regionally accredited colleges attended for the coursework to be applied toward a certificate or degree.