Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate

School: Business and Professional Careers
Academic Dept: Professional Careers
HEGIS: 5506

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2020 to Summer 2021. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Certificates Defined

Certificate programs are designed to provide a mix of theory and practical training leading to immediate employment upon completion. People who pursue certificates might have an advanced degree and typically want to learn new skills and acquire knowledge. Others might enroll in a certificate program to “test the waters,” with an eye toward pursuing an associate’s degree. Credits earned now in a credit-bearing certificate will apply later toward an associate’s degree at Westchester Community College. Click to learn more about the differences among the award types.

Program Description

If counseling individuals, groups and families affected by alcohol or other drug dependency sounds like an interesting career path, then this program is for you. The certificate in Chemical Dependency Counseling (CDC) provides all 350 of the alcohol and drug specific classroom contact hours and 300 of the experience hours required to be eligible for certification as a New York State (NYS) Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Additional volunteer or paid experience as a CASAC eligible counselor is required by NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). The courses in this curriculum are also applicable to the Certified Prevention Specialist and Certified Prevention Professional certificates offered by NYS OASAS.

The CDC curriculum includes courses and seminars during day and evening hours. Addiction Field Experience courses are corequisites with clinical courses, and the field experience is arranged and supervised by the school in appropriate alcoholism and/or substance abuse treatment agencies. Current employment may be approved for field experience. Enrollment in fieldwork courses, which will be based on specific criteria for each course, requires the written permission of the Curriculum Chairperson. Students in recovery from their own addiction or the effects of a family member’s addiction may take classroom courses but one year of recovery is required before taking Addiction Field Experience courses.

Those who complete the certificate and decide to continue their studies may transfer into Westchester Community College’s A.A.S. degree program in Chemical Dependency Counseling.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles of ethical and effective addiction counseling using organized, clear and precise written and oral communication skills.

Program Requirements

Complete these courses to earn this certificate:

The following 2 classes should be taken together:

HSERV 183 - Addiction Counseling Methods
HSERV 184 - Addiction Field Experience 1 * For Fall 2020 this internship experience will be offered as a remote class

The following 2 classes should be taken together:

Program Note(s):

Written permission of the Curriculum Chair is needed the first time students register for an Addiction Field Experience course.

Minimum Total Credits - 31

Gainful Employment Disclosure

For information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed this program, and other important information please visit Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate - GE Disclosure. For an overview of all gainful employment disclosures at Westchester Community College, visit www.sunywcc.edu/gainfulemployment.

Career Path Opportunities

Are you wondering what careers you can explore with a degree or certificate? Perhaps you are not sure what people do or how much money they make in certain careers that pique your interest? Would you like to know how many jobs are predicted to be available in a particular industry? Or maybe you are unsure whether receiving a degree or certificate would be right for you? Go to https://sunywcc.emsicareercoach.com to explore career paths, their associated job descriptions, salary trends, and jobs trends. Complete a career assessment for additional guidance. Still not sure? Visit www.sunywcc.edu/career for more career resources and contacts.

Getting Started

Are you a prospective Westchester Community College graduate? We look forward to seeing you soon! Apply today, then see the College’s Admissions and Enrollment Checklist.