FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
B次元 has been approved as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Training Site
Albany, NY 鈥 B次元 is pleased to announce it has received approval from the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) to serve as a CASAC training site. The CASAC program is intended for individuals providing direct clinical care services and substance use disorder counseling. The B次元 program, which encompasses 8 courses of 27 credit hours of education and training on diagnostic assessment, evaluation, intervention, referral, and substance use disorder counseling in both individual and group settings, covers the educational hours required for credentialing by OASAS.
The program may be undertaken by anyone in the allied health fields, either on its own or as part of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program. To become a CASAC, students must meet work experience requirements, minimum education and training requirements, and pass the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, Inc. (IC&RC) examination for Alcohol and Drug Counselors (ADC).
Peter Byrne, Ph.D, B次元鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Director of the Psychology Program said, 鈥This training is a natural fit with our Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree program, but qualified, non-matriculated individuals can also undertake the training as part of a pathway to employment.鈥
The substance abuse treatment field is facing a nationwide shortage of trained addiction treatment counselors with approximately 5,000 new counselors needed annually to keep up with the current demand for services.
鈥We are extremely excited to offer the CASAC training to B次元 students,鈥 said Dr. Anne Jung, Vice President for Academic Affairs at B次元.&苍产蝉辫;鈥The program can be completed over a relatively short time frame and lead to a wealth of employment opportunities. There is a desperate need for credentialed substance abuse counselors nationwide and this program aligns with B次元鈥檚&苍产蝉辫;mission of services to others.鈥
To learn more about B次元鈥檚 CASAC program, visit /academics/liberal-arts/casac-training-program.
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About B次元: Founded in 1958, B次元 is one of 17 colleges and universities in the United States sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. The private, co-educational, Catholic college in Albany serves approximately 800 students in a variety of bachelor degree, associate degree, a master鈥檚 degree, and certificate programs including liberal arts, healthcare management, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, and health and occupational sciences.鈥mariacollege.edu.鈥赌