This degree program gives you a strong foundation to prepare for a career in alcohol and substance abuse counseling and coursework is designed to meet application requirements for the Credential in Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling (CASAC), which is administered by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). Many graduates are employed in professional counselor positions in treatment facilities in the Capital Region and throughout New York State. Some work as field placement supervisors for our students
The program does not prepare students for practice outside the regulations of a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) as defined by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).
This academic program is primarily designed for those who wish to enter the workforce immediately following graduation. Transfer agreements exist for those who wish to continue their education at a four-year college or university.
Students are placed in local chemical dependency treatment agencies and hospital-based programs to gain work experience as beginning addiction counselors.
Excellent Reputation
The program has an excellent reputation among addiction and recovery agencies in the region. Many of our students get job offers during their last semester prior to graduating.
CASAC Preparation
Upon graduation students will have accumulated a total of 336 work hours that can be applied towards the work requirement of the CASAC application procedure.
The Credential in Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling (CASAC) Trainee certification program (CASAC-T) is administered by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), provider number 0103. OASAS administers the largest public-operated addictions counselor certification program in the country.
Substance abuse providers in New York State are approaching a workforce depletion as qualified staff are leaving the field at a rate that exceeds those entering the field. In an effort to address this problem, in certain OASAS licensed agencies, a designated CASAC trainee may be considered for the Qualified Health Professional (QHP) staffing requirement. The CASAC Trainee certificate will serve as documentation that the applicant is working towards his or her CASAC.
Students in this program may be eligible for this certification upon graduation.
Classes needed to be eligible for the CASAC-T:
CDEP 100 - Intro. To Chemical Dependency*
CDEP 105 - Pharmacology & Physiology of Addiction*
CDEP 200 - Chemical Dependency Treatment Process* (fall)
CDEP 250 - Chemical Dependency Counseling I
CDEP 251- Chemical Dependency Internship I
CDEP 205 - Cultural Competence in Addiction Counseling* (spring)
CDEP 255 - Chemical Dependency Counseling II
CDEP 256 - Chemical Dependency Internship II
HUSV 105 - Human Development & the Family*
HUSV 205 - Introduction to Social Group Work
* Offered Online
Meet our Faculty
Department Chair
Maryanne Pepe, LMSW, ACSW
Faculty
Brian Farr. MS, CASAC
Denise Pickering, Ph.D.
Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network
The ATTC is a nationwide, multidisciplinary resource for professionals in the addictions treatment and recovery services field. Their Imagine Who You Could Save campaign was designed to recruit people to the rewarding profession of substance use disorders treatment.
Explore Related Careers
NOTE: Additional educational requirements and/or certifications may be needed for some careers.
The Center for Careers and Transfer provides career resources and services and help in identifying your skills and interests and how they connect to career possibilities. Transfer counseling services are also available and a list of transfer agreements are posted.
“The work that we do here is important, and I always tell my students that they have someone’s life in their hands.”
