Getting Started

Addiction has become a problem in the United States, and New York is no exception. You may actually know someone with an Addiction problem and want to help. Rockland Community College has a NYS 350 hour Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Certification Program. This is a New York State Certification to work in the field of Addictions Counseling and individuals with a CASAC have advantages in the job market and can increase their earnings.

To receive more information, please fill out our CASAC Inquiry Form.

** SUNY Rockland will be offering the Accelerated CASAC Program for those with a master’s degree in a related psychology field, for more information please contact: [email protected]. 

Program

The CASAC program is offered as an accelerated non-credit evening/weekend program at RCC. The CASAC program is a NYS OASAS (Organization of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services) Certified Program and consists of 350 hours of instruction delivered as follows:

  • 4 Modules of 10 weeks each running from the second week of September to the first week of August (10 months for complete program)
  • 85 clock hours – Knowledge of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
  • 150 clock hours – Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counseling
  • 70 clock hours – Assessment; Clinical Evaluation; Treatment Planning; Case Management; and Patient, Family and Community Education
  • 45 clock hours – Professional and Ethical Responsibilities (must include a minimum of 2 hours of Child Abuse and Maltreatment)

Admission

Admission to the program is on a rolling basis. You can start with any Module. They do not need to be taken in order.

Cost

$750.00 per Module for a total of $3,000.00

Classes

Classes meet Tuesdays: 6 – 9 pm, and Saturdays: 9 am – 2:30 pm.

Module Start Dates

  • Module I: September 9 – December 16, 2025
  • Module II: January 3 – March 28, 2026
  • Module III: March 31 – June 16, 2026
  • Module IV: June 20 – August 8, 2026

* Classes will be held remotely until further notice

Program Benefits

  • You will have a major advantage in looking for a job in the field.
  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that this field will experience very rapid growth over the next few years.
  • Many jobs in substance abuse counseling are accessible with a high school diploma and some post-secondary training, which represents a significant savings over other occupations that require a lot of schooling, and thus require a lot of money for college.
  • 32 college credits from Empire State College are available upon completion of CASAC Program: 16 credits when training is finished, and 16 credits when you receive the CASAC Certification.