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January 21, 2020

Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø and SUNY Empire State College recently announced a new partnership that provides guaranteed admission to graduates of the college’s Chemical Dependency Counseling associate degree program to SUNY Empire’s first-of-its-kind .

The agreement will seamlessly transfer all earned credits to SUNY Empire’s new program, which is in its inaugural semester this spring.

According to recent estimates by the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in the addictions field is expected to increase by 20 percent over the next 10 years, creating a growing need for professionals with the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) certifications.

Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø was one of the first community colleges in New York State to offer educational training specifically for the CASAC, a credential offered by the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

The SUNY Empire Addiction Studies degree can be completed entirely online, or at one of SUNY Empire’s 30-plus campuses and learning hubs around the state, including in Albany, Latham, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, and Johnstown.

“The field of addiction counseling is in great need of certified counselors,” said Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø President Ramsammy. “With this new agreement, we hope more of our Chemical Dependency Counseling associate degree graduates will continue their education at SUNY Empire and build the professional ranks to combat the opioid crisis here in New York. With this new agreement, our students can transfer directly to SUNY Empire as juniors, and that’s a great opportunity for those who wish to continue their education here locally.”

“SUNY Empire created this program to proactively and effectively respond not only to the public health crisis that is opioid addiction, but to help combat all forms of addiction,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “The data show that we need more trained specialists in our communities to provide support to struggling individuals and families. Thank you to President Ramsammy for recognizing the importance of this program and creating an opportunity for Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø students to continue their education in this much needed field.”

SUNY Empire and Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø also renewed their guaranteed admission program, which allows Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø students to transfer up to 79 credits to SUNY Empire, more than half the 124 total credits required to complete a bachelor’s degree, meaning students can earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as one year after their associate degree. The partnership waives the orientation fee and provides a $100 presidential transfer scholarship.

More Information

For more information about the Chemical Dependency Counseling program at Â鶹´«Ã½ÉçÇø, contact the Human Services and Chemical Dependency Counseling Department at (518) 629-7341.