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Mental Health Counseling CASAC 350-Hour

Advanced Certificate
  • School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Bronx
  • Westchester
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MS in Mental Health Counseling CASAC 350 Hour Certificate Overview

CASAC-T Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Standardized 350- Hour Education and Training Program Mercy University CASAC-T Program is an OASAS Certified Education Training Program. The courses have been approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), satisfying the educational requirements for state certification. With the competitive market for counselors and mental health providers, your CASAC-T Certification paves the way for both direct patient care and supervisory positions in the area of substance abuse and addiction. 

Student in Counseling Office

The intensive program at Mercy University will specifically prepare you for the five domains for CASAC preparation including assessment, counseling, case management, client, family and community education, and professional responsibility. Mercy University students receive the professional training and ethical knowledge base which will enable them to provide alcoholism and substance abuse counseling in one of the most progressive fields.

Counseling session

Career Opportunities

CASAC licensed professionals practice in:

  • Hospitals
  • Residential treatment facilities
  • Out-patient treatment facilities
  • Counseling service centers
  • Outreach programs
  • Methadone clinics
  • NYC Police Department
  • NYC Department of Probation

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Accreditations

The Mercy University curriculum has been approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) which is the agency in this state which credentials alcoholism and substance abuse providers. The CASAC License is nationally and internationally transportable, thereby, allowing its recipients to practice anywhere in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the services provided by Mercy University are: caring and trained admission counselors; knowledgeable financial aid representatives which provide personalized assistance both in person and online; dedicated advising professionals who will work with you throughout your tenure at Mercy University; counseling services which can provide you with support services and make referrals as needed to outside agencies; comprehensive library and online access to medical and psychological databases; state of the art computer facilities at all major campuses with convenient day and evening hours and learning center resources which can assist you with all your academic needs.

The following are acceptable Human Service fields: Anthropology, Art/Dance Therapy, Audiology, Child Development/Family Relations, Community Mental Health, Chemical Dependence Administration, Counseling/Guidance, Criminal Justice, Divinity/Religion/Theology, Drama Therapy, Education, Gerontology, Health Administration, Health Education, Music, Therapy, Nursing/Medicine, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pastoral Counseling, Physical Therapy, Psychology, Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Sociology, Special Education, Speech Pathology, Vocational Counseling.

Yes you will be able to take the exam once OASAS has reviewed and approved your application and the 350 Hour Educational Certificate issued by Mercy University. A $100.00 non refundable certified check or money order payable to OASAS is also required. They in turn will issue your CASAC-T certification. Remember that you are still required to complete 2000 hours in the field before being awarded your State Certification.

Remember, all experience is important and will be assessed as partial fulfillment of the 2000 hours of practical experience.

All lead faculties associated with the program have earned their Ph.D.'s and Doctorate Degrees. Lead instructors are augmented by Adjunct Professors who are CASAC's or knowledgeable in the field of addiction and recovery. They are closely supervised by the program director. All programs needs have been met by our faculty. In addition, school support services are provided for all students who are in need of said services.

Unlike many other programs, Mercy University coursework satisfies the educational requirements for the CASAC credentialed and has been approved by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) thereby placing you in an empowering and marketable position in a very competitive field! Mercy's graduate Mental Health counseling students earn OASAS Clock Hours and graduate counseling credits at the same time.

Curriculum

The CASAC Program satisfies the 350 Educational Clock Hours under the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (OASAS) “which address the full range of knowledge, skills and professional techniques related to chemical dependence counseling.” Specifically:

  • CNSL 630 Counseling and Ethics
  • CNSL 640 Human Development I
  • CNSL 650 Counseling and Application I
  • CNSL 673 Research Methodology
  • CNSL 648 Diagnosis and Treatment
  • CNSL 651 Mlticltrl Prspctives in Cnslng
  • CNSL 655 Counseling and Application II
  • CNSL 660 Practicum in Group Work
  • CNSL 665 Career Devlpmnt and Cnslng
  • CNSL 667 Diagnostic Tools: Measurement
  • CNSL 686 Intrnshp I: Mntl Health
  • CNSL 687 Intrnshp II: Mntl Health
  • CNSL 654 Psychopathology
  • CNSL 678 Aspcts Alchlsm & Sbstnc Abuse
  • CNSL 501 Causes/Treatment of Drug Prblm
  • CNSL 502 Sbstnc Abuse: Prvntn&Intrvntn
  • CNSL 674 Thry & Prncpl of Sbstnc Cnslng

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.

Each course represents 45.0 CASAC Clock Hours with the exception of Internships which is a 6 credit course and represents 90.0 CASAC Clock Hours.

CNSL 678 Psychological, Physiological and Pharmacological Aspects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse is required for the Mental Health Degree. Remember that no ePortfolio requirements apply for this course.

  Courses 85 Section I 150 Section II 70 Section III 45 Section IV
    Knowledge Clock Hours Counseling Clock Hours Assessment Clock Hours Ethics Clock Hours
1. CNSL 630 Counseling Ethics   9 Clock Hours   36 Clock Hours
2. CNSL 640 Human Development I 25 Clock Hours 20 Clock Hours    
3. CNSL 650 Counseling Applications I 12 Clock Hours 25 Clock Hours 6 Clock Hours 2 clock Hours
4. CNSL 673 Research Methodology 45 Clock Hours      
5. CNSL 648 Mental Health Counseling Diagnosis and Treatment* 6 Clock Hours 9 Clock Hours 30 Clock Hours  
6. CNSL 651 Multicultural Perspectives in Counseling 10 Clock Hours 33 Clock Hours   2 Clock Hours
7. CNSL 655 Counseling and Applications II 20 Clock Hours 10 Clock Hours 10 Clock Hours 5 Clock Hours
8. CNSL 660 Practicum in Group Work 6 Clock Hours 30 Clock Hours   9 Clock Hours
9. CNSL 665 Career Development and Counseling 5 Clock Hours 35 Clock Hours   5 Clock Hours
10. CNSL 667 Diagnostic Tools for Measurement 30 Clock Hours 3 Clock Hours 12 Clock Hours  
11. CNSL 686 Supervised Internship Mental Health (Setting 6 Credits) 20 Clock Hours 25 Clock Hours 20 Clock Hours 25 Clock Hours
12. CNSL 687 Supervised Internship Mental Health (Setting 6 Credits) 30 Clock Hours 15 Clock Hours 45 Clock Hours  
13. CNSL 654 Psychopathology 22.5 Clock Hours   22 Clock Hours  
14. CNSL 678 Psychological, Physiological and Pharmacological Aspects of Alcohol & Substance Abuse 15 Clock Hours 15 Clock Hours 7.5 Clock Hours 7.5 Clock Hours
15. CNSL 501 Causes and Treatment of Drug Abuse Problems 30 Clock Hours 9 Clock Hours 3 Clock Hours 3 Clock Hours
16. CNSL 502 Substance Abuse: Prevention and Intervention 30 Clock Hours 9 Clock Hours 3 Clock Hours 3 Clock Hours
17. CNSL 674 Theories Principles Substance Abuse Counseling 6 Clock Hours 21 Clock Hours 12 Clock Hours 6 Clock Hours

*As of September 2013, CNSL 648 Mental Health Counseling Diagnosis and Treatment replaced CNSL 642 Human Development II.

CNSL 678 Psychological, Physiological and Pharmacological Aspects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse is required for the Mental Health Degree. Remember that no ePortfolio requirements apply for this course.

Students may also meet a portion of the 350 Clock Hours by enrolling in any of the following courses, which presently are not a part of the required curriculum:

  • CNSL 501 Causes/Treatment of Drug Prblm
  • CNSL 502 Sbstnc Abuse: Prvntn&Intrvntn
  • CNSL 674 Thry & Prncpl of Sbstnc Cnslng

It is strongly recommended that if your program allows, any additional electives be take in one of these courses

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