Credential Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T)
Education Program
CASAC Program
A Career Ranked #14 Among Best Jobs
CASAC certification prepares you for a meaningful career as a Certified Psychologist Counselor, ranked #14 best job by U.S. News & World Report for 2025.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
The City College of New York’s Department of Psychology offers NY State certification as a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) from the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). This program is available to BA, BS, BA/MA and MA degree students in Psychology. The CASAC program is also available to students in the Continuing and Professional Studies Program at City College and to non-psychology students.
Tuition
Full Program: $5,000* Individual Courses: $475 each* *A $25 non-refundable registration fee is not included in the tuition price.
350
credit hours
Prerequisites – High School Diploma or Equivalent At least 18 years old
Objectives
Through completion of the CASAC-T Education program, students will gain the full range of knowledge, skills, and professional techniques related to Substance Use Disorder counseling including the following
- Knowledge of Substance Abuse Disorders – 85 hours
- Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling – 150 hours
- Assessment; Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Case Management; and Patient, Family and Community Education – 70 hours
- Professional and Ethical Responsibilities – 45 hours
Total training hours required for OASAS CASAC Trainee credential – 350 credit hours
Requirements
If you are either a BA or BS major in Psychology, you can meet these requirements if you take the following 10 courses to be eligible for a CASAC-T (all of these courses need to be taken at City College)
PSY 22600 OR PSY 24600 – Lifespan Development (PSY 22600)
OR Infancy and Childhood (PSY 24600)
PSY 25400 – Brain, Mind and Experience
PSY 34000 – Substance Use Disorder: Causes and Treatment
PSY 35000 – Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
PSY 36000 – Case Management of Substance Use Disorders
PSY 36300 – Psychology of Prevention Science
PSY 36500 –Family Psychology
PSY 36700 – Small Group Processes
PSY 37000 – Counseling Issues in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
PSY 38000 – Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology
Professional & Ethical Responsibilities
The ethics requirements are being fulfilled through the following required courses included in the list above.
5 hours – Substance Use Disorder: Causes and Treatment
5 hours – Family Psychology
10 hours – Psychology of Prevention Science
10 hours – Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology
5 hours – Small Group Processes
10 hours – Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Total – 45 hours
Career Outlook
At a Glance
FAQS
How can I …
You can declare a major in Psychology (BA or BS) by going here: iDeclare
We highly recommend that you meet with a Psychology advisor each semester. A list of the psychology advisors as well as their advising schedules and how to connect with them can be found here.
A Psychology advisor can assist you in how best to develop your interests in another field. A list of the psychology advisors as well as their advising schedules and how to connect with them can be found here.
Please contact the Psychology Department Chair (Robert Melara, rmelara@ccny.cuny.edu, NAC 7/201) to discuss research opportunities.
Please contact the Director of Academic Programs (Hawai Kwok, kwok@ccny.cuny.edu, NAC 8/133) or the Psychology Department Chair (Robert Melara, rmelara@ccny.cuny.edu, NAC 7/201) to discuss fieldwork opportunities.
Please contact the Faculty Advisor (Prof. Brett Silverstein, bsilverstein@ccny.cuny.edu, NAC 7/120), the Director of Academic Programs (Hawai Kwok, kwok@ccny.cuny.edu, NAC 8/133) or the Psychology Department Chair (Robert Melara, rmelara@ccny.cuny.edu, NAC 7/201) to discuss joining the Psychology Student Association (Psych Club) or the Psi Chi Honors Society.
The principles that are learned in psychology courses are easily transferred to other disciplines, including marketing, medicine, and engineering. Students from other majors are highly engaged with the hundreds of psychology courses available.
A Psychology advisor can assist you in reviewing your course history and academic career options on DegreeWorks. A list of the psychology advisors as well as their advising schedules and how to connect with them can be found here.
If you are interested in a research or medical health degree (nursing, PA, or MD), you should earn a BS degree. Otherwise, you would probably benefit most from a BA degree.
Contact Us
Any questions?
We’re here to help! Whether you’re a student, researcher, or community member, feel free to reach out to us for more information.
For complete information on the CASAC credentialing process: Visit the Website of the NY State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
For further information and to enroll in the CASAC program at CCNY:
Contact the CASAC Coordinator at casac@ccny.cuny.edu
Department of Psychology
North Academic Center, Room 7/120
160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031
p: 212.650.5442
f: 212.650.5659
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am -5.00pm
📍Campus Map
NAC 7/201 I 212.650.5716
Robert Melara
Professor & Chair
NAC 8/133 I 212.650.6777
Hawai Kwok
Director, Academic Programs
NAC 8/133 I 212.650.5680
