Addiction Studies: B.S.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Addiction Studies is a 124-credit program designed to serve students who are interested in becoming skilled professionals to understand and treat individuals suffering from addiction. The program is structured around courses that address fundamental aspects of how addiction affects individuals, families, and communities, while examining the assessment, treatment, and prevention of substance abuse.
The Bachelor of Science in Addiction Studies is guided by the competencies model from the US Department of Health and Human Service and features a curriculum focused on equipping students with fundamental skills through core courses. Once a foundational skill set is laid, students are given the opportunity to customize their education to match their educational and career goals by choosing from a wide variety of courses to fulfill the degree requirements. Students will have the option of completing the degree program through various delivery modes such as online, independent study, blended, and/or face-to-face study.
Students completing a bachelor’s degree in Addiction Studies will demonstrate knowledge of human behavior, service delivery, skills, and ethics, to work with diverse individuals, families, and communities struggling with addiction. The program provides students an opportunity to address the educational components to become a Credentialed Alcoholism Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in New York State. Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in an approved Human Services field from an accredited institution may be substituted for 2,000 hours of work experience, thus allowing individuals with a CASAC-T to obtain their CASAC in a shorter period of time.
For additional information about this degree program, please visit the B.S. in Addiction Studies web page.
Program Contacts
If you would like more information about the Addiction Studies program, please contact:
Health and Human Services Department Chair
Thalia MacMillan
646-230-1363
Human Services Division Secretary
Penny Holt
(315) 460-3174
Admission
The admissions requirements for the B.S. in Addiction Studies will be the same as current undergraduate admissions requirements, which include proof of high school completion and the ability to pursue college-level work as demonstrated through an essay, which is submitted with the admissions application.
Courses in the Addiction Studies program emphasize five essential foundations. Knowledge of each foundation can be demonstrated through transcript credits, Joint Services Transcript (JST) credits, Empire State College coursework, prior learning evaluation, and/or prior learning assessment. Students will explain how they meet these foundations in their rationale essay.
Foundation #1: Knowledge
- Learning Outcome: The student will be able to explain the theories of addiction.
- Learning outcome: The student will be able to utilize treatment knowledge in the application of practice for professional addiction services.
Foundation #2: Skills & Application
- Learning outcome: The student will be able to describe the continuum of care, including but not limited to mutual aid groups, individual and family counseling, and counseling special populations.
- Learning outcome: The student will be able to compare and contrast the various helping strategies that can be tailored to the individual.
- Learning outcome: The student will be able to integrate knowledge, values, and skills related to the proposed field of study.
Foundation #3: Assessment & Education
- Learning Outcome: The student will be able to formulate the skills in assessment, proper documentation and education of individuals, families, and/or groups.
Foundation #4: Ethics
- Learning Outcome: The student will be able to interpret the code of ethics and/or the professional standards within their field.
- Learning Outcome: The student will be able to apply the code of ethics and/or professional standard to practical situations within their field.
- Learning Outcome: The student will be able to reconcile possible conflicts between their own values and professional expectations
Foundation #5: Diversity
- Learning outcome: The student will be able to analyze the impact and importance of human diversity on service delivery, which may include, but not be limited to race, ethnicity, gender, class, socioeconomic status, age, culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, sexual identity, geographic differences, and/or ability.
- Learning outcome: The student will be able to examine the impact of power, privilege and oppression on their work with individuals, families, groups and communities.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Level Core Courses | ||
| HUDV 1015 | Human Development: Introductory | 4 |
| ADDS 2005 | Addiction & Dependency: Introduction | 4 |
| HUSV 2010 | Case Management | 4 |
| HUSV 2020 | Crisis Intervention: Theory & Practice | 4 |
| HUSV 2025 | Helping & Counseling Skills | 4 |
| HUSV 2035 | Introduction to Human Services | 4 |
| Upper Level Core Courses | ||
| ADDS 3005 | Interventions for Addiction Disorders | 4 |
| HUSV 3005 | Advocacy in Human Services | 4 |
| PSYC 3010 | Abnormal Psychology: Advanced | 4 |
| ADDS 4005 | Adolescence & Addictions | 4 |
| HUSV 3020 | Documentation in Human Services | 4 |
| ADDS 3010 | Substance Abuse Interventions in the Workplace | 4 |
| or ADDS 3020 | Substance Abuse with Special Populations | |
| HUSV 3030 | Group Work | 4 |
| or CHFS 3030 | Family Intervention | |
| PSYC 3040 | Biological Psychology | 4 |
| ADDS 4010 | Advanced Substance Abuse Counseling | 4 |
| ADDS 4015 | Evidence-Based Substance Abuse Counseling | 4 |
| or HUSV 4035 | Internship in Human Services | |
| HUSV 4020 | Diversity in Human Services | 4 |
| HUSV 4030 | Human Service Ethics | 4 |