Hilbert is excited to offer its first degree program dedicated to Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling (ASAC). Housed within the Human Services Department, students in the major complete a two-year associate of arts degree under the direction of faculty with experience in the field. A one-semester internship provides students the opportunity to integrate hands-on experience with classroom learning.
The program prepares students to meet those competencies outlined by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), in partial fulfillment of the Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credential. Students who have successfully completed the program are eligible to apply for the CASAC-T credential through OASAS, which is a requirement for most entry-level positions.
The ASAC degree program prepares students for entry-level positions in human service and substance related fields. Alcohol and substance abuse professionals are employed in a variety of settings, including those providing prevention and treatment services to children and adults through inpatient, outpatient, community-based, and residential programs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth is expected as people continue to seek addiction and mental health counseling services.”
Hilbert’s new Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling degree is a two-year program which builds upon the current strengths of Hilbert College’s Human Services program. The ASAC program consists of 60 credit hours of undergraduate study, including courses in counseling, substance abuse, sociology, and psychology, and trauma informed care.
This program provides students with a quality experience in work with individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders within the context of a strong liberal arts education. The program is intended to provide the skills necessary for students who wish to pursue entry-level positions in substance abuse related fields.
Consistent with Hilbert College’s mission, students in the ASAC program will pursue an educational program and career path that values strengthening communities through service.
Program Objectives:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the range of theories underlying the development of substance use disorders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of psychoactive substances and their impact on the individual.
- Identify and apply principles of effective prevention and recovery in group and individual treatment of substance use disorders.
- Apply trauma-informed theory and strategies to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of substance use disorders on family systems and special populations.
- Demonstrate and apply understanding of the role of co-occurring mental health disorders in the cycle of substance use disorders.
Successful demonstration of the above Hilbert ASAC program objectives include competencies that are also outlined by the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), in partial fulfillment of the Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) credential.