Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling Degree
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).
Contact Us
Have a question for Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling? Contact us.
Colleen Kumiega, M.S. ED
Chair of Behavioral Sciences
Professor & Internship Coordinator of Human Services
Call: (716) 926-8863
Bogel Hall Room 110
Contact Us
Meet Our Faculty
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 (2021): $37,610
Community Health Worker
Median annual salary (2021): $46,590
Substance Abuse or Mental Health Counselor
Median annual salary (2021): $48,520
Social Worker
Median annual salary (2021): $50,390
Health Education Specialist
Median annual salary (2021): $60,600
*Salary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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?
What advice would you give to someone studying 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.
What are the most important skills employers are looking for?
They 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 also very crucial in the field. No matter where you are, you're doing a lot of professional writing, like progress notes and treatment plans.
Why should students choose to enroll in this program at Hilbert College?
We give students a well-rounded perspective. We give you the 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.
What course are you most excited to teach?
The classes in alcohol and 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. I decided I was really going to educate myself, to understand the biological and physical elements of the disease. 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.
Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Curriculum
The ASAC program learning outcomes are specifically designed to get you career-ready. Upon graduation from the program, you’ll be equipped to:
- Understand 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
- Address the impact of substance use disorders on family systems and special populations
- Perceive 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 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.
Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling AAS
| Freshman Year: Semester One |
| GS 101 |
Foundations Seminar |
| HS 101 |
Introduction to Human Services |
| EN 101 |
College Writing |
| HS 102 |
Introduction to Chemical Dependency |
| GEN ED |
General Education Module |
| Freshman Year: Semester Two |
| PSY 101 |
Introduction to Psychology |
| BI 114 |
The Human Body |
| HS 103 |
Introduction to Psychopharmacology |
| HS 203 or HS 204 |
Introduction to Counseling or Basic Interviewing Skills |
| GS 201 |
Service Learning & Civic Engagement |
| Sophomore Year: Semester Three |
| HS 201 |
Prevention & Treatment of Chemical Dependency |
| HS 202 |
Trauma & Addiction |
| HS 205 or HS 215 |
Interpersonal Communication & Effectiveness or Social Issues in Addiction |
| HS 210 |
Human Services Methods |
| HS 310 |
Human Service Ethics |
| Sophomore Year: Semester Four |
| HS 207 |
Family Systems in Addiction Treatment |
| HS 208 |
Special Populations in Addiction Treatment |
| HS 209 |
Group Work in Addiction Treatment |
| HS 314 |
Understanding Mental Illness Through Film |
| HS 360 |
Junior Internship |
Printable Major Maps
Grab printable versions of our courses, concentrations, and curriculums through our academic advising page.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do with an alcohol and substance abuse counseling degree?
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.
What is the typical alcohol and substance abuse counselor salary?
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.
How long is the Associate of Arts in Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling degree program?
For a full-time student, the ASAC is designed to be completed in two years.
What are the benefits of earning an Associate of Arts in Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling?
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.
Apply to the Associate of Arts in Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Program at Hilbert College