Addictions Counseling (A.S.)

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 with drug addiction and substance abuse. Pursue jobs 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.

Your degree will prepare you for transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or addictions counseling. It also 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 with the goal of becoming fully credentialed as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor (CASAC) in New York. Learn more about becoming a CASAC »

2023 median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $53,710/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

OASAS Addiction Professionals scholarship

You may qualify for the OASAS Addiction Professionals Scholarship Program when you attend JCC! The program includes multiple scholarships, some which cover our full tuition.

Where to study at JCC

Addictions counseling skills

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 and communicable diseases, and the use of toxicology testing and screening devices.
  • Develop counseling skills pertaining to 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 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.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 1210: Introduction to Human Services

3

HUS 1310: Studies in Alcohol Chemical Dependency

3

PSY 1510: General Psychology

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

MAT 1500: Problem Solving with Mathematics or

MAT 1540: Elementary Statistics

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • 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
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 2430: Alcohol/Chemical Dependency Treatment Methods

3

PSY 2540: Interpersonal Group Dynamics

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

HUS 1410: Generalist Practice Skills

3

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication

HUS 2230: Interviewing and Counseling

3
  • 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
Credits
Requirements Met

BIO 1510: Health Science

3
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

HUS 1280: Family Systems

3

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

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
  • World Languages

Electives

Choose a course from the Human Services area not already taken

2
  • *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
Credits
Requirements Met

HUS 2215: Field Placement I: Addictions

5
JCC
  • Applied Learning

HUS 2400: Ethics/Issues in Addiction Services

3

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

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • U.S. History and Civic Engagement
  • World History and Global Awareness
  • World Languages

Elective

Recommended:

SOC 1510: Introduction to Sociology

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives
  • *Requirements Met depends on course choice.
  • Work with the Success Center for assistance with portfolio, resume, and cover letter or job search.
  • Download application information for the CASAC-TR license from the OASAS website.
  • After advisement, apply for graduation.