CASAC Training

Are you passionate about working with people who are struggling with substance use and addictions?

Do you want to build your knowledge, skills and readiness to enter the addictions workforce?

Are you ready to improve lives and make the world a better place?

If so, join us. Your path begins here. At Stony Brook University we believe we are Stronger Together.

The Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare is delighted to offer a state-of-the-art NewYork State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) approved 350-hour Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) training program to eligible applicants. With funding provided by OASAS, eligible applicants who are admitted to the program will participate at no cost, with the full fee for the CASAC training provided through an OASAS scholarship. Please read on for all that you need to know to get started on your path!

What is the CASAC Training Program?

The 350-hour Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) program leads to a certification by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) for direct care providers in the field of alcoholism and substance abuse. To ensure that counselors are competent and ethical in their work, and skilled in addressing the current epidemic of the opioid crisis and substance dependence, OASAS issues a professional credential, CASAC, to individuals who participate in a certified CASAC training program, satisfy an internship requirement and pass an examination.

To successfully complete the educational requirements of this program, students must complete a combination of CASAC education and internship hours. Students, with masters degrees in approved fields who attend the 100 hour course must complete a minimum of thirty-five (35) internship hours under the appropriate level of supervision in the appropriate OASAS-CERTIFIED, OMH-CERTIFIED, or DOH-authorized settings within one (1) year of completing the CASAC program. Students who attend the 350 hour course must complete a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120 hours) under the appropriate level of supervision in the appropriate OASAS-CERTIFIED, OMH-CERTIFIED, or DOH-authorized settings within one (1) year of completing the CASAC program.

For more detailed information about the curriculum and course content, please follow this link.

Details on the OASAS CASAC requirements can be found here.

Why Choose Stony Brook's CASAC Program in Particular?

Stony Brook University, a flagship of the State University of New York, is ranked the #1 public university in the state and is the 35 th best public university in the country.

The School of Social Welfare (SSW) at Stony Brook University has been a leader in social work education for nearly 50 years, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The SSW is deeply committed through our degree programs and our specialized continuing education and certificate programs to ensuring a well prepared, dedicated workforce to meet the needs of people, organizations, and communities in the region, state, and nation. Benefits of our School of Social Welfare CASAC-350 training program include:

• Highly skilled and experienced instructors with expertise in the field of substance use disorders
• All training is delivered 100% online for enhanced accessibility
• Topic-specific modules/sections
• Weekly instructor-led virtual classroom sessions
• Small class sizes
• Certification Exam preparation
• Professional level certification* upon successfully passing the certification exam
• Affordable excellence
• For those eligible applicants who are accepted, OASAS will provide full scholarships to complete the CASAC 350-hour Program. For others interested in participating, please follow this link for more information

When Will the Program Start?

Classes are now in session! The estimated duration of the full CASAC-350 program is 16 months. The School of Social Welfare will offer training to multiple cohorts, with multiple start dates (please see the application materials for more details).

Who Should Apply?

• Those who meet the eligibility criteria for the CASAC-350 program only
• The CASAC Training program is for those who want to develop their skills and increase their command of the dynamic and highly in-demand field of addiction counseling.
• The CASAC-350 is for New York State residents who are at least 18 years of age, with a minimum of a high school diploma or a High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma from an accredited institution, and who are employees of one of the following:
• OASAS-certified, funded, or otherwise authorized programs
• Office of Mental Health (OMH)- and/or Department of Health (DOH)-certified Integrated Outpatient Services (IOS-SUD); and DOH Drug User Health and/or Harm Reduction programs.
• Individuals who work in the addictions field (prevention, treatment, recovery, and/or harm reduction) or in an eligible non-OASAS setting such as OMH and DOH programs not listed above
• Individuals or students interested in working in eligible OASAS, OMH, or DOH settings.

Ready To Apply?

Please be sure to have the required and optional documentation prior to starting an application. This will ensure completeness of your application submission. Only complete applications will be reviewed and considered for admission. Please Note: OASAS, OMH, or DOH applicants will be prioritized to receive OASAS funded scholarships.

In order to apply:

• Complete the OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship Application Form
• Submit a copy of High School Diploma, HSE, College Transcripts or College Diplomas (Note: unofficial transcripts will be accepted)
• Provide a brief statement (500 words or fewer) about why you are interested in pursuing in the CASAC program, and in addition in this statement please provide information about the following: any previous volunteer or work experience along the addictions continuum of care; your interest in working in the OASAS Provider System; and the qualities you possess that you believe would make you an effective CASAC.
• Provide three (3) References
• Applicants who are currently an employee of one of the following program types must submit 3 professional references:
• OASAS-certified/authorized programy
• OMH or DOH-certified Integrated Outpatient Services (IOS-SUD) Program
• DOH Drug User Health/Harm Reduction Program
• A program that provides addiction care (prevention, treatment, recovery) or harm reduction services in another setting that is not reflected in above.

Applicants working within the addictions field (prevention, treatment, recovery, and/or harm reduction) in an eligible non-OASAS setting such as OMH and DOH programs not listed above or are interested in working in eligible OASAS, OMH, or DOH settings must submit a total of 3 references. It is preferred that applicants submit 3 professional references. If that is not possible, applicants must submit at least one professional or academic reference and 2 personal references from individuals who can speak objectively about the applicant’s character and/or about their job-related skills.

Please send your completed application documentation to casac.ssw@stonybrook.edu

If you do not currently meet the criteria for the Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program, we will continually update this website as additional seats are available for non-scholarship recipients, so please check back regularly! We look forward to providing additional training options in the future.

Have Any Questions?