CASAC Credentialing Programs
Why Choose Wurzweiler School in NYC
A leader in social work education since 1957, the Wurzweiler School of Social Work is consistently highly rated in both New York City and the nation, attracting students from across the globe. Our online CASAC credentialing program prepares MSW students, MSW and select other master degree holders for meaningful careers as substance abuse counselors—a profession ranked #14 among the Best Jobs by U.S. News & World Report for 2025.
The program provides specialized training for individuals working in alcoholism and substance use and leads to certification by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).
Global Learning Community
Students and faculty from around the world, diverse backgrounds and experience
Individualized Guidance
You will be assigned a faculty advisor to guide you through academic studies, oversee and assess your field experience, and help build your professional confidence
Practicum Experience
Personalized support finding supervised placements that serve individuals affected by substance use disorders
Personal Attention
Typical class sizes of 8-12 students encourage close interaction with faculty for advanced study
Expert Faculty
Trained in the field guide your studies and practice
Values-Driven Practice
We prepare students to support clients’ social, emotional and spiritual needs
Choose the CASAC Program Option That Best Fits Your Background
Here are just a few of the agencies, institutions and organizations where our graduates have found work:
Practicum: Placement Sites and Field Education
Practicum opportunities vary based on each student’s background and credentialing requirements. Placements may include OASAS-certified programs, other state- or federally licensed treatment settings, and certain qualified community-based organizations.
Wurzweiler’s Practicum Education Office works with students to explore appropriate opportunities, which may include paid employment, internships or unpaid placements that meet applicable OASAS supervision and experience requirements.
CASAC Admissions and How to Apply
CASAC Admissions
Review the admissions requirements for each CASAC program.
Application Deadlines
The program runs during fall and spring semesters. MSW/CASAC follows the MSW application deadlines, while the post-MSW and post-graduate options accept students up to a month before the start of the next semester.
Tuition, Scholarship & Financial Aid
You’re automatically considered for a scholarship with your completed application. Additional external scholarship and financial aid are also generally accepted — students are responsible for getting those reviewed and approved by Wurzweiler.
Meet Our CASAC Faculty
Our faculty are experts — practitioners, researchers, and policy makers —who keep Wurzweiler at the forefront of the field. Our students & alumni are the heart of Wurzweiler. Hear directly from them below.
Hear from our Faculty
Michael Serrano, PhD, LCSW, CASAC 2
Dr. Serrano is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work, overseeing the addiction course content, and has a wealth of experience working with people with Addictive Disorders.
Career Outlook: What Can You Do with a CASAC?
Our online CASAC credentialing program prepares students for careers as substance abuse counselors, a profession ranked #14 among the Best Jobs by U.S. News & World Report for 2025. CASAC professionals provide assessment, individual and group counseling, treatment planning, referrals, and recovery support across a range of clinical settings.
Career opportunities include outpatient clinics, residential treatment centers, hospitals, behavioral health centers, detoxification and recovery programs, supportive housing, community agencies, and state- or federally operated treatment programs, depending on credential level, education, experience, and employer requirements.
Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance Use Disorder Counselor
Addiction Counselor
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Behavioral Health Counselor
Outpatient Counselor
Residential Treatment Counselor
Detoxification Counselor
Opioid Treatment Counselor
Intake Counselor
Assessment Counselor
Group Counselor
Recovery Counselor
Case Manager
Clinical Case Manager
Care Coordinator
Treatment Program Coordinator
Addiction Services Supervisor
Clinical Supervisor
Accreditation & Licensure
Wurzweiler’s CSWE-accredited MSW program includes a CASAC option that meets OASAS educational requirements and aligns with International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) standards. The CASAC credential is awarded by OASAS upon completion of all credentialing requirements.
NYC Campus & Location
The same highly regarded MSW professors who teach on campus also teach CASAC courses online. Through Wurzweiler’s Live Virtual Classroom, students receive an interactive learning experience designed to mirror the connection, discussion and academic quality of an on-campus class.
Frequently Asked Questions
CASAC stands for Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. This is a credential issued by the state of NY indicating you have completed the equivalent of 350 hours of clinical training and are prepared specifically to address addiction issues from direct clinical practice to policy development. The training required for NY meets national standards and is applicable to credentialing in most other states.
Many agencies who work primarily with addicted populations require a CASAC. This includes Medication Assisted Treatment programs for the opioid dependent client, inpatient detoxification and residential treatment programs. The CASAC signifies that you are qualified to practice social work with this specialty population. It is a universally recognized sign of your qualifications.
The MSW program consists of 20 three credit courses for a total of 60 credits. For CASAC students, 9 of those credits prepare you specifically for work in the field of addictions. Field placement will be in an agency that serves, at least in part, clients with addiction issues.
No, they do not. All MSW students complete 60 credits.
Three elective courses in addiction: (SWK 6691; 6791 and 6891); one course in psychosocial pathology (SWK 6111); and two advanced clinical practice courses (SWK 6013 or 6123 and 6014 or 6024). Field placement will be in an agency that serves, at least in part, clients with addiction issues. The addiction courses must be taken in sequence, each a prerequisite for the other, unless approved by the program director.
Field hour requirements are the same for all MSW students. Students in the Joint MSW/CASAC program will work with the field office to establish a placement where they are trained to work with clients suffering from addiction.
Yes, though it will require an additional elective as the CASAC requires 3, not the usual 2 for advanced standing students.
Yes, though it will require an additional elective as the CASAC requires 3, not the usual 2 for advanced standing students.
No prerequisites. Any student accepted into the MSW program may choose the CASAC program. Students who have taken undergraduate courses or have other substantial training in addictions may be advised to complete a CASAC application with NY State OASAS and obtain a report of how much more training they need. This would then be reviewed with the CASAC Program Director for advising.
Ideally Joint MSW/CASAC students will have an identified commitment to learning to practice with a clinically special population. Most persons suffering addictions have additional mental illness. Initial interventions may be brief but recovering clients need ongoing support in stable psychotherapeutic treatment.
It is the electives. All Wurzweiler students receive excellent clinical social work courses and the MSW/CASAC program electives provide an additional clinical focus to the MSW studies. Addiction counseling has a parallel (though more recent) professional history and regulatory structure as social work. Graduates of this program will be recognized as “Dually Credentialed” or in some states “Dually Licensed” in both social work and addiction counseling
This program takes the same amount of time as the regular MSW program.
Certification, credentialing and licensing of addiction counselors varies by state. In NY state, the addictions credential is simply called a ‘credential.’ In other states, It is called a certification or a license.In all cases a competency exam must be passed, similar to the social work licensing process. The Joint MSW/CASAC program meets NY state educational standards which are accepted by the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium which affords a high degree or portability from state to state and internationally.
Yes – it is best if this interest is indicated at the time of admission by selecting the MSW/CASAC program option in the application.
Yes – but be sure to not take any other elective first.
Not yet! The school is working on seeking support for this program and students will be kept informed through the student newsletter. Although there aren’t additional CASAC scholarships yet, students are eligible for our MSW scholarships awarded at the time of admission.
Michael Serrano, PhD, LCSW, CASAC 2, is the Director of CASAC Programs and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. He has completed his PhD at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University and his MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. Prior to joining Wurzweiler, he had over 15 years of experience overseeing, supervising, designing, and implementing public health programs across New York City. Dr. Serrano has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, specializing in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and substance use disorders. Dr. Serrano has taught the core courses for the Joint MSW/CASAC Program in addition to other clinical classes across the MSW curriculum. He will now oversee all course content related to CASAC, working collaboratively with all the instructors in the program. Dr. Serrano’s research interests are in clinical social work practice with a focus on the impact of racism on substance use disorders and treatment completion.
Yes – Upon graduation of The Joint MSW/CASAC Program, you have earned the 350 Hour Education Certificate that can be transferred to up to 46 states and other international jurisdictions. Additional requirements are required by your state to meet the full addiction counselor credential.
For more information, please visit your state’s website:
https://internationalcredentialing.org/member-boards/
Congratulations on graduating! You have met the educational requirements for the CASAC credential. You are now eligible to be a CASAC Trainee certification. Additional requirements are needed to attain the full CASAC credential, including attaining 2,000 practice hours in approved setting, and passing the IC&RC Exam. Visit the NYS’ OASAS Website for the Requirements.
For out of state students, you must meet your state’s requirements here.
