Distance learning is a guided set of educational activities that provide high quality content linked to current research and/or other related, widely accepted academic work, along with access to the instructor or training provider.  It affords you the opportunity of taking courses at your pace - when you need them - and allows you to do so in the comfort and privacy of your home or office.  It offers a real savings for you, both in time and money.
 

Most credentialing bodies, including LASACT, require “clock hours” of education to earn or maintain an addiction counselor credential.  Typically, this is measured as a 50 minute hour, and may be referred to as a CEU (continuing education unit), or CEH (continuing education hour).  At DLCAS.com we use a standard of 12-15 pages of information being equivalent to one clock hour of education.  So, for example, if your state requires 40 hours of education every two years, taking coursework from DLCAS.com that totals 40 hours would allow you to meet your requirement.
 

I’m not very good at using the Internet to download things.  Are your courses available in any format other than Internet formats?

 
No – all of our coursework can be taken at the pace that you determine.  Once you register for a course and obtain the materials, either by download, CD-ROM format, or in hard copy format, you simply need to read through the materials, pass a course post-test, and complete a course evaluation.  Do it as quickly as you like, or take as much time as you need.  Our coursework will never expire.
 

There is no limit to the number of hours you can take.  Many students take our coursework not only to maintain their credential, but also to obtain new information in areas that will help them work with their clients.  If you are only interested in obtaining hours toward keeping your credential, however, LASACT requires 48 hours of training every two years.  DLCAS.com is approved by LASACT, AEP Number E069.
 

Courses being offered by the Distance Learning Center for Addiction Studies can typically be used for two types of educational needs:

• Basic training courses ( for the student who is beginning their credentialing process), and

• Continuing education courses ( for the already credentialed counseling professional).

In Louisiana, there are currently three levels of credentialing that can be obtained - Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC); Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC); and Registered Addiction Counselor (RAC)

The LAC requires that you have a masters or doctoral degree in a human services field plus 270 hours of training (180 drug/alcohol specific; 90 related); CAC requires a bachelors degree in a human services field plus 270 hours of training (180 drug/alcohol specific; 90 related); and the RAC requires no degree, but you must be at least 21 years of age and obtain 270 hours of training (180 drug/alcohol specific; 90 related).
 

 
Preparing to be a drug/alcohol professional means that you'll need to take a variety of coursework that will provide you insight and information into working with this unique population.  You'll also need a solid educational background that will prepare you for the credentialing examination that you'll ultimately be required to take.  With that in mind, DLCAS.com as prepared a balanced, 90-hour curriculum that we feel can accomplish both of these needs.  You can view the recommended courses at this site: LASACT Expanded Curriculum.  Of course, you're always free to modify your coursework in any way that you see fit.  We'll be glad to assist you - contact us by phone at 866 471-1742 and ask to speak with one of our staff members, or email us with any questions to information@dlcas.com.  
 

We offer you two ways to order courses - our secure, online ordering system and by telephone.  To access our course listing and order form, use the following link: Order Coursework. 

To order by phone, simply call us, toll free, at 866 471-1742.
 

Immediately upon placing an online order, a confirmation page will appear.  This page has links to any internet coursework you order, allowing you immediate access to your courses.  We'll also send you an email with the same links and information, provided you give us a valid email address.  The course link will provide you with step-by-step access instructions, as well as a user name and password for online course access.  Course materials may be downloaded to the student’s computer hard disk or the site can be bookmarked and used to study online.

If you order materials on CD-ROM or in hard copy format, we will process and ship your materials to you by Priority Mail within 72 business hours.
 

Students must pass a Post-Test at an 80% level and fill out a Course Evaluation form to obtain a Certificate of Completion.  Both the Post-Test and Evaluation form are accessible online. Certificates are mailed no later than 72 hours after these requirements are met.

All internet coursework includes links on the download site for both the post test and the evaluation.  If you order CD-ROM or hard copy formats, this information can be found in the Test Appendix found at the back of the materials.
 

All course information is online at the DLCAS homepage at www.DLCAS.com.  You can also obtain information about any of our courses or services by calling us toll free at (866) 471-1742.
 

DLC, LLC, our parent organization, does have information and training available to help you prepare for your credentialing exam.  If you, or someone you work with, needs help preparing or reviewing for their exams, please visit www.ReadyToTest.com for more information.