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Overview
This certificate program is designed for students who seek the NYS Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse credential. Students are prepared to take the NYS OASAS-administered credentialing exam and the program is OASAS-certified every three years. Classes in this curriculum focus on addictive behaviors and various treatment approaches, pharmacological effects of alcoholism and/or illicit substance abuse, and the family effects of addictive disorders.
Program Coordinator Mark Bonacci served for two years on an OASAS planning committee which in late August of 2013 promulgated the re-designed NYS CASAC requirements and the SUNY Niagara CDC program was thus re-accredited as of that date with accreditation until June 1, 2022.
The Chemical Dependency Counseling certificate program is approved/accredited by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS-OASAS).
Program Goals and Objectives
- To enable students to take entry level positions in the field as “CASAC-T’s” — CASAC Trainees.
- To prepare students to take the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services-administered CASAC exam.
- To teach future substance abuse counselors issues relating to diversity, ethical practice and diagnostic and counseling principles.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate program at SUNY Niagara is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.
Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate program at SUNY Niagara, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following U.S. States:
State | Chemical Dependency Counseling |
New York | https://oasas.ny.gov/credentialing |
It is important to note that SUNY Niagara is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.
SUNY/Niagara’s Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate 36-credit program prepares students to sit for the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling Trainee ( CASAC-T exam). As such it is certified by OASAS to offer the full 350 contact hours of instruction necessary to sit for the New York State exam. Students should know that achieving the SUNY/Niagara Certificate and passing the CASAC-T exam will confer “trainee” status. There are work-hour requirements to move to full-fledged CASAC status – ranging from one-half year if the student holds a master’s Degree to two years if the student holds an associate’s Degree and two and one-half years if the student holds a certificate.
Though passing the State exam will confer CASAC-T status to the student, which will enable them to begin work in an OASAS-approved agency, there is no State to State reciprocity in the field of substance abuse counseling credentialing so students should check the guidelines of the State in which they plan to practice to ensure that SUNY/Niagara credits will be in some way applicable to their guidelines and requirements.
Alumni Spotlight
Penny McKenzie ’20
“My favorite part about the Chemical Dependency Counseling program at SUNY Niagara is the quality of their educators. It is a privilege to be learning from some of the best professionals in the field. For a student living with a handicap, they helped me realize that regardless of ability, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I chose SUNY Niagara because you can get a solid education without having to travel far. Since graduation, I want to find a job as a counselor, pursue further education and experiences where wherever they may lead.”
Program Contact
Mark Bonacci, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
Phone: 716-614-6755
Email: bonacci@niagaracc.suny.edu
Location: E-132
Division Office: 716-614-6710 (E-238)