Addictions Counseling (A.S.)
Jamestown, USA
Associate of Science
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
USD 5,820 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* out-of-state resident
Key Summary
About: Jamestown Community College Addictions Counseling A.S. trains you to work with people with substance use disorder. You’ll study addiction and chemical dependency and learn intake, treatment planning, case management, and counseling. The degree meets NYS OASAS 350‑hour requirement for CASAC‑Trainee status and CASAC certification eligibility. JCC provides transfer routes to bachelor’s degrees in social work, psychology or human services.
Career Outcomes: Career opportunities include addictions counselor, substance use disorder counselor (CASAC), intake specialist, case manager and behavioral health technician in inpatient, outpatient, harm reduction and mental health programs. The median 2024 pay was $59,190/year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Become an addictions counselor.
With a degree from Jamestown Community College in Addictions Counseling and CASAC-T credentialing, you can work with individuals who suffer from drug addiction and substance abuse in inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, as well as programs in mental health, harm reduction, and drug maintenance.
While at JCC, you will learn about the nature and history of addiction and chemical dependency, and skills needed for intake assessment, treatment planning, case management, and counseling. You'll be prepared for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or addictions counseling.
JCC's degree satisfies the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) 350-hour educational requirement to become a CASAC-Trainee, which lets you apply for CASAC-T certification through NYS OASAS to become fully credentialed as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (CASAC) in New York. Learn more about becoming a CASAC.»
2024 median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $59,190/year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Semester 1
Course
- HUS 1210: Introduction to Human Services
- HUS 1310: Studies in Alcohol Chemical Dependency
- PSY 1510: General Psychology
- Mathematics Elective (must be SUNY Gen Ed)
- ENG 1510: English Composition I
- INT 1555: Inquire
- Discuss transfer options and career tracks with your advisor in order to maximize transferrable credits.
- Research articulation agreements.
- Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.
Semester 2
Course
- HUS 2430: Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Treatment Methods
- PSY 2540: Interpersonal Group Dynamics
- HUS 1410: Generalist Practice Skills
- HUS 2230: Interviewing and Counseling
- Check with the Financial Aid & Billing office about credit load, aid eligibility, and Excelsior scholarship.
- Schedule transfer visits and begin making decisions.
Semester 3
Course
- BIO 1510: Health Science
- PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior
- HUS 1280: Family Systems
Elective*
Choose a course from any SUNY Gen Ed category: Preference for a World Language, US History & Civic Engagement, World History & Global Awareness, or Diversity
Electives
Choose a course from the Human Services area not already taken
- *Requirements Met depends on course choice.
- Prior to advisement, apply for field placement and schedule a field orientation session.
- Begin applying to transfer institutions.
Semester 4
Course
- HUS 2215: Field Placement I: Addictions
- HUS 2400: Ethics/Issues in Addiction Services
Elective*
Choose a course from any SUNY Gen Ed category: Preference for a World Language, US History & Civic Engagement, World History & Global Awareness, or Diversity
Elective
Recommended:
- SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology
After you complete the program, you will be able to:
- Learn about substance abuse, including the physical and pharmacological effects of substances, diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders, diverse intervention and treatment approaches, health, wellness, communicable diseases, and the use of toxicology testing and screening devices.
- Develop counseling skills about addictions, including individual, group, and family approaches, while developing cultural competence and knowledge of special populations.
- Demonstrate understanding of theories of human development and their relationship to substance abuse, and the impact of substance use on families and the community.
- Demonstrate skills in assessment, clinical evaluation, recordkeeping, treatment planning, case management, and patient, family, and community education.
- Develop competence in maintaining professional and ethical responsibilities, including counselor-client relationships, ethical decision making and conduct, confidentiality and legal issues, and counselor wellness.
Attend JCC with the OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship
Jamestown Community College offers the OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship to NYS-resident students who are pursuing the Addictions Counseling A.S. degree.
Amount
This scholarship covers all course fees, books, and other educational materials, as well as paid internships and any applicable application or registration fees (after other forms of financial aid are applied).
How to apply
- Apply to JCC » (Be sure to select Addictions Counseling A.S. as your program!)
- File your FAFSA and TAP applications.»
- Complete the OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship application.»
Next steps
- Register for classes with your advisor.»
- Complete your next steps before the semester starts.»
Eligibility
New York State residents who will be at least 18 years of age by the completion of the first semester in the program, with a minimum of a high school diploma or a high school equivalency (HSE) diploma, and who are employees of one of the following (OASAS, OMH, or DOH programs) will be prioritized to receive scholarships:
- OASAS-certified, funded, or otherwise authorized programs;
- OMH- and/or DOH-certified Integrated Outpatient Services (IOS-SUD); or
- DOH Drug User Health and/or Harm Reduction programs.
After priority populations, the following will also be eligible:
- Individuals 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, and
- Individuals or students interested in working in eligible OASAS, OMH, or DOH settings.
About the OASAS Scholarship Program
JCC is participating in the OASAS Associate Degree and Integrated CASAC Program as part of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program. This program is funded by New York State’s Opioid Settlement Fund to address the state’s ongoing addiction and overdose epidemic.
The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) oversees one of the nation’s largest systems of care for prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. OASAS is the single designated state agency responsible for coordinating state-federal relations in the area of addiction services.