Students talking in a classroom.

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling, AA

Degree:
Associate (2 years)
Department:
Division of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
Length of Time:
2 years
Mode:
On-Campus Online
View Curriculum
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At Hilbert College, our goal is to get you career ready in a field that matters to you. The Associate of Arts in Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling (ASAC) degree offers students a two-year path to meet the competencies outlined by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), in partial fulfillment of the Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credential. On completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to apply for the CASAC-T credential through OASAS, a requirement for most entry-level positions.

When you attend college at Hilbert, you’re not just a student. You’ll join a passionate community of peers and faculty who truly care about your personal and professional goals, empowering you to get the most out of your educational experience.

Why Earn Your Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree?

Working in the field of alcohol and substance abuse counseling is a powerful way to make an immediate and measurable impact in your community. Our program prepares you to work with individuals and families who substance abuse disorders have affected so that you can help people heal firsthand.

Our mission at Hilbert College is to provide an education and career path that values strengthening communities through service. We’ll help you identify your goals, and we’ll support you in reaching them.

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Benefits

The ASAC degree program prepares students for entry-level positions in human services and substance-related fields. Alcohol and substance abuse professionals serve in various settings, including delivering prevention and treatment services to children and adults through inpatient, outpatient, community-based and residential programs.

No matter which setting you see yourself working in, the ASAC degree will prepare you with the skills to be an empathetic and caring mental health professional who helps others improve their lives.

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Associate Degree Job Outlook

Demand for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors will rise by 22% by 2031, much faster than average when compared with all other jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Credentials

For questions about credentialing in New York as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor, you may contact the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. We also offer licensing credential information by state.

NY Licensing Credentials
Licensing by State

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Careers

Hilbert College faculty and counselors can help you map your path to a meaningful career. Upon completion of the associate program and the CASAC-T credential through OASAS, you may be eligible for careers such as:*

Social and Human Services Assistant

Median annual salary (2024): $47,610

Substance Abuse or Mental Health Counselor

Median annual salary (2024): $63,520

Social Worker

Median annual salary (2024): $77,681

Community Health Worker

Median annual salary (2024): $55,280

*Salary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Curriculum

Ready to launch your career in substance abuse counseling? Our ASAC program prepares you for success with a curriculum aligned with industry standards. Learn more about our program outcomes and how they can help you achieve your goals.

Curriculum Details

Why Choose Hilbert for Your Associate of Arts in Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree?

At Hilbert College, we’re committed to amplifying good in the world. This empowering, welcoming atmosphere comes naturally to us — we prioritize service, compassion, and integrity in everything we do. That mindset is especially strong in the ASAC program, in which we’ll give you the skills to pay empathy forward.

Our passionate community of change-makers is ready to welcome you into the Hilbert family. Are you ready to take the leap and make the most of your career?

Colleen Kumiega, on Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling

  • When I was first starting off in the field, I didn’t think I had an understanding of it or the patience for it. I was trying to understand why people relapsed over and over and over. Then the situation of addiction touched me personally with a family member. It gave me the ability to be an active listener, meet them where they were struggling and be a resource.
     
    A Portrait of Colleen Kumiega
  • Looking to study alcohol and substance abuse counseling? Trust the process. Try to challenge yourself and put yourself in uncomfortable situations. A lot of times, we're afraid of the unknown. But the world has something in place for you, though you may not know right now what it is.
     
  • Employers want someone who keeps up with new, evidence-based types of therapies and interventions, as well as the analytical ability to work through evidence and assess situations. Writing is very crucial in the field. No matter where you are, you're doing a lot of professional writing, like progress notes and treatment plans.
     
  • Hilbert gives students a well-rounded perspective, including skills and the latest therapies and interventions to build a huge tool bag to use in different circumstances. We build a lot of relationships in the community with different agencies, which can really assist with a student’s training. We give students opportunities to learn about who they are as a person, which allows them to help others learn who they are.
     

Frequently Asked ASAC Questions

The primary outcome for graduates of our program is to be a substance abuse counselor in the state of New York. However, the degree serves as a great foundation for a wide variety of careers in social work and mental health.

As of 2021, the median annual salary for a substance abuse counselor was $48,520, according to the BLS. However, salary ranges can vary depending on factors including education, experience level, and geographic location.

For a full-time student, the ASAC is designed to be completed in two years.

Earning your ASAC degree from Hilbert empowers you to foster true change in your community by serving those with substance abuse disorders. You’ll also be positioned for competitive advantage in an industry that shows significant long-term growth potential.

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