Associate in Applied Science Degree

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This curriculum helps to develop specific skills required for effective individual and group intervention counseling for people affected by alcoholism, substance abuse, and addiction. Students completing this degree fulfill all the 350 hour education and training requirements for a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor, Trainee (CASAC-T). There are additional requirements for work experience prior to fulfilling Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) requirements for CASAC credentialing. Additional information about CASAC requirements can be found at https://oasas.ny.gov/credentialing/alcoholism-and-substance-abuse-counselor-casac.

After successful completion of HS241 Chemical Dependencies, other specific courses are required to complete this program. They include:  

  • AS201 Introduction to Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Counseling
  • HS233 Group Counseling Skills
  • AS202 Alcoholism/Addiction and Family Systems
  • AS204 Special Topics in Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Goal 1 To prepare students to obtain a NYS OASAS credential

  • Complete education and training requirements for NYS OASAS credentialing or recredentialing of Chemical Dependency Professionals
  • Obtain trainee certification from NYS OASAS

Goal 2 To prepare students to obtain employment in the chemical dependency field, including ATOD prevention and treatment

  • Graduates will demonstrate skills and knowledge required in the addiction treatment field.

Goal 3 To prepare students to be culturally competent Chemical Dependency Practitioners

  • Demonstrate through their interaction with persons served an awareness of the inherent worth and dignity of individuals.
  • Demonstrate cultural competency and adherence to ethical and behavioral standards of professional conduct.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of his/her own personality, reaction patterns, motivations, biases, and the impact each has on persons served.

Goal 4 To prepare students to be competent chemical dependency practitioners

  • Demonstrate a broad knowledge of addiction, prevention and treatment.
  • Understand and demonstrate appropriate practice in the professional treatment process.
  • Develop appropriate treatment plans according to OASAS standards.
  • Develop prevention plans appropriate to community’s assessed needs.

Goal 5 To provide students with an understanding of the process and methods of social science research as they apply to the chemical dependency field

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and theories of scientific psychology, particularly the methods of social science research used in this field.

Goal 6 To prepare students to demonstrate information literacy

  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course explores the form and function of human body systems for non-science students. It stresses normal and abnormal life processes as well as the philosophy and history of science including the scientific method. Laboratory exercises complement lecture topics, which include the study of cells and tissues, and the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and reproductive systems. Dissections are required in the laboratory.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course provides an exploration of the broad field of human services, introduces theoretical systems for understanding human behavior, and examines professional ethics and standards. Communication techniques and procedures are stressed. A continual theme throughout is the need for self-awareness. Students complete NY State certification as a mandated reporter.

This course introduces the many and varied facets of psychology. Emphasis is on interactions of individuals in their cultural, social, and economic environments as determined by their cognitive, behavioral, and emotional experiences and training.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

Take any Physical Education Course

Second Semester

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course provides an overview of drug abuse and alcoholism including pharmacology, causes and legal aspects of drug abuse, intervention and prevention, physiology, and psychological aspects of alcoholism. The role of the professional and non-professional in counseling and intervention is examined. Emphasis is placed on alternatives to chemical substance abuse and the self-destructing behaviors that produce them.

This course covers the historical views of abnormality as well as current classification of abnormal behavior. It emphasizes the comparison of perspectives on causes and treatments of abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course is a survey of mathematics for students in those programs that do not require a mathematics sequence. It provides an appreciation of mathematical ideas in historical and modern settings. Topics include problem solving, logic, geometry, statistics, and consumer mathematics. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This course examines research methodology in the behavioral sciences including observational and recording methods, the evaluation of performance (psychometrics), and quasi-experimental research. Emphasis is placed upon the application of the methodologies to research designs and the interpretation of psychological reports. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

Take any Physical Education Course

Third Semester

This course provides a foundation in alcoholism/substance abuse counseling knowledge and skills, including practice in basic counseling skills. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in HS241 Chemical Dependencies.

This course provides an in-depth look at the effects of alcoholism and substance abuse on the family system. Topics include a variety of approaches to viewing the family, a general overview of codependency, and aspects of family and codependency treatment, including how counselors can be affected. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in HS241 Chemical Dependencies.

This course covers principles underlying effective alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) prevention strategies. A systems approach is used to give an overview of methods, goals, objectives, models, and history of prevention. The risk and protective framework provides the basis for prevention program examples. These programs are evaluated using science-based methods. Prevention ethics are discussed, with the opportunity to observe and demonstrate presentation skills. This course fulfills requirements of the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for credentialing of alcohol and substance abuse prevention professionals and prevention specialists. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in HS241 Chemical Dependencies.

This course introduces the field of social services with emphasis on ethical and policy considerations faced by human service practitioners, chemical dependency counselors, and educators. Ethical decision making, professional competence, self-disclosure, confidentiality, and related topics are covered as they apply to working in counseling and educational settings. It examines legislation affecting the role of the practitioner and the economic security of the client.

This course provides supervised, practical experience in a human service setting. In addition to a minimum of 90 hours of field experience, participation in a weekly seminar is required. Prerequisite: Matriculation in Human Services or Chemical Dependency Practitioner program, 25 credits completed towards the degree, G.P.A. of at least 2.0, and a minimum grade of "C" in HS101 Introduction to Human Services. Corequisites: (Depending on Matriculation) HS222 Theories of Counseling or HS232 Counseling Techniques and one program elective, or AS201 Introduction to Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Counseling and HS231 Ethics, Policy & Law.

Take either a Physical Education course or CPR

Fourth Semester

A survey of issues is covered related to legal aspects of alcohol, drug, and treatment programs, treatment of special populations, child abuse reporting, treatment in correctional institutions, specialized addictive treatment modalities, and employee assistance programs. Poly-addiction and new drugs are included. In addition, issues related to the professional in alcoholism and substance abuse treatment are discussed. Other topical issues are introduced, based on class needs and new trends. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in HS241 Chemical Dependencies.

This course focuses on the acquisition of group counseling skills and techniques applicable for work within human service consumer populations and age groups. Issues include substance abuse, mental health, conflict resolution skills, and trauma. Group techniques and skills are practiced. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in HS101 Introduction to Human Services.

This course is a continuation of the supervised experience in a human service setting, with greater initiative and responsibility for the provision of services. In addition to the minimum of 90 hours of field experience, participation in a weekly seminar is required. Corequisite: HS251 Internship 1.

This course covers the practice of developing and designing effective Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) prevention education programs. Topics include the performance domains of planning and evaluation, education and skill development, community organization, public organization and policy, and professional growth and development. This course fulfills requirements of the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for credentialing of alcohol and substance abuse prevention professionals and prevention specialists. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in AS206 Prevention Principles for Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs.

This course presents a basic understanding of pathological gambling and the treatment of those adversely affected by problem gambling. This impulse control disorder is compared and contrasted with Substance Abuse and Alcoholism. This course fulfills requirements of the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services for CASAC credentialing. Prerequisite: A grade of “C” or better in AS201 Introduction to Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Counseling.

This course focuses on the acquisition and refinement of social work and counseling skills appropriate for the A.A.S. practitioner. Methods used with diverse client systems within a variety of settings and problem areas are covered. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in HS101 Introduction to Human Services.

This course examines children’s physical, social, emotional, language, and cognitive development from pre-natal to age twelve. Topics include childhood development theories and research, the recognition and understanding of significant child behaviors, the role of parenting and culture, the role of the teacher, influence of peers, and play. Students must complete a 15-hour child observation in a daycare setting, observing both infants/toddlers and preschool children.

This course explores the mechanisms that underlie human learning. Emphasis is placed on the examination of the behavioral approach to the study of human learning. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course deals with theoretical and applied aspects of the individual in social contexts. Attention is given to interpersonal relations and group dynamics, for better understanding of functioning in social situations. Topics include conformity, aggression, interpersonal attraction, and communication. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course examines the adjustments faced by the individual from midlife through old age. Emphasis is placed on the effect of role changes on the individuals view of self and their ability to function. Methods to ease role transitions are covered. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course investigates a variety of personality theories, including biological factors, psychoanalysis, humanism, existentialism, and behaviorism. Emphasis is placed on the contribution of each theory to the field. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course increases personal knowledge about death as an aspect of the life process and assesses the impact of dying and bereavement from psychosocial, cultural, and historical as well as developmental, medical, and legal perspectives. Human roles relating to the distinct needs of dying persons and their friends and families are examined. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

This course examines the relationship between psychopathology and criminality, and describes the legal context in which forensic psychology is practiced. Unlike other disciplines of psychology, which are therapeutic or habilitative in nature, it is concerned with the prevention, detection, and reduction of crime. Prerequisites: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology and PY203 Abnormal Psychology.

This course provides an overview of the biopsychosocial perspectives of human sexuality. It covers the personal and biological aspects of human sexuality, and its historical and cultural perspectives. Topics include sexuality across the lifespan, sexual identity development, and variation of the human sexual experience. Prerequisite: PY101 Introduction to General Psychology.

Take either a Physical Education course or CPR

* AS201, AS206 & AS204 students need to recieve a grade C or better in HS241 Chemical Dependencies.

Internship requirements: HS251 and HS252 internship — For placement in a chemical dependency setting, students must have successfully completed or be enrolled in both HS231 Ethics, Policy, and Law and AS201 Introduction to Alcoholism/Substance Abuse Counseling.

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Courses:

* OASAS required course. Students must maintain a C average in the course for certification.

(a) MA108 Concepts in Mathematics OR MA110 Elementary Statistics

(b) Program Electives:

AS207 Prevention Practice for ATOD* (c) 3
AS208 Pathological Gambling* (b) 3
HS232 Counseling Techniques* 3

(c) Psychology Electives:

ED205 Child Development 3
PY201 Learning Behavior Analysis 3
PY204 Social Psychology 3
PY205 Adulthood and Aging 3
PY206 Theories of Personality 3
PY208 Death, Dying, and Bereavement 3
PY209 Forensic Psychology 3
PY213 Human Sexuality 3