CASAC Track now offered at LIU Hudson

CASAC Track in MFT and MHC Programs

The New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services has approved LIU Hudson’s inclusion of a CASAC (Certified Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor) track in both the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling and M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy programs.

There is a growing need in communities across the nation - in urban, suburban and rural areas - for individuals well-trained at the graduate level in mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy who are CASAC-T certified. In fact, the CASAC-T is required for employment consideration as a treating therapist at many reputable substance abuse treatment facilities.

This certification equips mental health professionals with the special knowledge and skills to support those dealing with the complexities of these addictions. Upon completion of the LIU Hudson CASAC track courses, students are eligible to apply for their CASAC-Training certificate.

Integration of the CASAC-T certification with either of the master’s degrees significantly expands the range of professional opportunities for those who aspire to careers in mental health counseling or marriage and family therapy.

The fully certified CASAC track is offered at the Westchester campus of LIU Hudson for students enrolled in either the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling or the M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy.

• In recognition of the unique educational preparedness that an integrated CASAC program provides to the MFT or MHC student, OASAS (Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services) has reduced the 6000 hour requirement of non-paid work experience in an appropriate substance abuse treatment setting to a 2000 hour requirement.
• Students who complete their required MFT or MHC Internship placements at an OASAS approved substance abuse setting can also count those hours towards the 2000 hour requirement, thereby further reducing the necessary post-degree hours.
• MFT and MHC graduates who successfully complete both their CASAC integrated coursework and internship hours will be immediately eligible to take the CASAC-T (credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor-trainee) exam.
• The optional CASAC track is offered at no additional cost beyond the tuition and fees for the MHC and MFT programs.

For additional information please contact:
Dr. Susan Goldman
LIU Hudson Graduate Programs in Counseling, Psychology and Therapy
Susan.Goldman@liu.edu
914- 831-2718