Chemical Dependency Counseling A.A.S.

SUNY Schenectady offers two Chemical Dependency Counseling programs, the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) and the Certificate, which lead to New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) trainee status.

These programs would appeal to professionals from all disciplines who want to strengthen their existing knowledge and acquire skills that they can apply in their work setting. Programs and core courses may be of interest to:

• substance abuse counselors;
• mental health professionals, educators, and substance abuse prevention specialists;
• employee assistance professionals, managers, and administrators;
• social workers;
• psychologists;
• clergy;
• probation officers and other law enforcement professionals; and
• nurses and health care professionals.

Core courses in both programs provide OASAS training hour equivalency and may be applied towards CASAC training.

The Chemical Dependency Counseling A.A.S. degree program’s mission is to prepare its graduates for immediate employment in residential, in-patient and other rehabilitation centers. The specialized addiction curriculum is enhanced by social science courses and coordinated with field experiences to provide students with models of ethical conduct, helping skills and the foundation for a professional career.

SUNY Schenectady County Community College has been approved as a New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Education and Training Provider. According to NYS OASAS, students who have a criminal history are not automatically prevented from receiving their CASAC, but will be required to provide information relative to their conviction to be considered as part of the review of the CASAC Application.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students will apply supportive and facilitative communication techniques—including active listening, empathy, and appropriate feedback—in simulated and real counseling interactions.
• Students will evaluate ethical principles and professional standards in chemical dependency counseling and articulate their developing identity as practitioners.
• Students will apply theoretical models and core counseling techniques to assess client needs, develop treatment plans, and deliver services across the continuum of care.
• Students will evaluate how cultural identity, systemic factors, and stigma influence substance use and treatment outcomes, and demonstrate culturally competent practices in service delivery.

Internship/Field Placement Sites

The Chemical Dependency Counseling A.A.S. program has established training partnerships with substance abuse providers within the community such as:

• St. Mary’s Hospital Addiction Services (Outpatient/Inpatient), Amsterdam NY
• New Choices Recovery Center, Schenectady NY
• Conifer Park, Glenville/Schenectady NY
• Transitional Services Association, Inc. (Saratoga Springs, NY)
• Hope House Inc. (Albany, NY)
• Peter Young Housing, Industries and Treatment, Schenectady NY
• Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Albany NY

Note - Secondary Program Exclusion

Section 8.6 of the Academic Code provides that students may earn an additional degree or certificate provided that the secondary program includes at least 15 credit hours of requirements not in common with the primary program. Students who are enrolled in both the Human Services A.A.S. and the Chemical Dependency Counseling A.A.S. programs will need to work carefully with their advisors when choosing electives to meet this secondary program exclusion.