CASAC 350 Hour Certificate Program

Naturally, approval of OASAS facilities are automatically accepted, however, there are many other facilities of internship including State run facilities and even some private practices which are also acceptable sites.

Remember, all experience is important and will be assessed as partial fulfillment of the 6000 hours of practical experience.

These are just some of the services provided by Mercy College: caring and trained admission counselors; knowledgeable financial aid representatives which provide personalized assistance both in person and online; dedicated advising professionals who will work with you throughout your tenure at Mercy College; counseling services which can provide you with support services and make referrals as needed to outside agencies; comprehensive library and online access to medical and psychological databases; state of the art computer facilities at all major campuses with convenient day and evening hours; learning center resources which can assist you with all your academics needs.

In addition to the 350 educational clock hours, you must also accumulate a total of 6,000 hours at a drug treatment facility if you do not have a Bachelors Degree, or 5,000 with an Associate Degree or 4,000 with a Bachelors Degree, or 2,000 with a Masters Degree or Doctorates Degree.

Mercy’s dedication and commitment to its students is reflected in our Mission Statement. “Mercy College is committed to provide motivated students the opportunity to transform their lives through higher education by offering liberal arts and professional programs in personalized and high quality learning environments, thus preparing students to embark on rewarding careers, to continue learning through- out their lives and to act ethically and responsibly in a changing world.”

Yes you will be able to take the exam once OASAS has reviewed and approved your application and the 350 Hour Educational Certificate issued by Mercy College. A $100.00 non refundable certified check or money order payable to OASAS is also required. They in turn will issue your CASAC-T certification.

The following are acceptable Human Service fields: Anthropology, Art/Dance Therapy, Audiology, Child Development/Family Relations, Community Mental Health, Chemical Dependence Administration, Counseling/Guidance, Criminal Justice, Divinity/Religion/Theology, Drama Therapy, Education, Gerontology, Health Administration, Health Education, Music Therapy, Nursing/Medicine, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pastoral Counseling, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Special Education, Speech Pathology, Vocational Counseling.

All lead faculties associated with the program have earned their Ph.D’s and Doctorates Degrees. Lead instructors are augmented by Adjunct Professors who are CASAC’s or knowledgeable in the field of addiction and recovery. They are closely supervised by the program director. All programs needs have been met by our faculty. In addition, school support services are provided for all students who are in need of said services.

In addition to the 350 educational clock hours, you must also pass the State exam, accumulate a total of 6,000 hours at a drug treatment facility if you do not have a Bachelors Degree, or 5,000 with an Associate Degree or 4,000 with a Bachelors Degree, or 2,000 with a Masters Degree or Doctorates Degree.

Unlike many other programs, Mercy College coursework satisfies the educational requirements for the CASAC credential and has been approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) thereby placing you in an empowering and marketable position in a very competitive field! At the same time you are awarded 27college credits towards your Associate or Bachelors Degree.

The Mercy College curriculum has been approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) which is the agency in this state which credentials alcoholism and substance abuse providers. The CASAC License is nationally and internationally transportable, thereby, allowing its recipients to practice anywhere in the world.

It has been said that we live in a drug addicted, chemically dependent society. The stark reality is that drugs have permeated our society and we are all affected by substance abuse and addiction either personally or through people we know and care about. The prevalence of addiction necessitates trained substance abuse providers equipped with the tools that are needed to become effective catalyst in the recovery process. This is where you come in. The Mercy College students receive the professional training and ethical knowledge base which will enable them to provide alcoholism and substance abuse counseling in one of the most progressive fields.

The CASAC Program satisfies the 350 Educational Clock Hours under the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS) “which address the full range of knowledge, skills and professional techniques related to chemical dependence counseling.” Specifically:

• PSYN/BHSC/SOCL 262 Alcohol, Drugs & Behavior
• CRJU 206 Deviation & Therapy
• BHSC/SOCL 202 Ethics & the Family
• BHSC/SOCL 366 Medical Ethics
• PSYN 232 Health Psychology
• BHSC/PSYN/SOCL 399 Internship Soc/Beh Sciences
• PSYN 101 Introduction to Psychology
• PSYN 244 Social Psychology
• BHSC/SOCL 269 Strat Alchl/Substnc Abuse Prov

Each course represents 45.0 CASAC Clock Hours with the exception of Internship which much be taken as a 6 credit course and represents 90.0 CASAC Clock Hours.

Classes are inclusive of the 4 hours related to tobacco use, nicotine dependence, etc.

The following courses are included in our curriculum:

• Section I - 85 Clock Hours Related to Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
• Section II - 150 Clock Hours Related to Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling
• Section III - 70 Clock Hours Related to Assessment; Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Case Management and Family and Community Education
• Section IV - 45 Clock Hours Related to Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

* Psychobiology and Contemporary Issues are not mandatory, but they can be integrated into the 350 Clock Hours Requirement.