Careers in Addictions

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As of July 2009, the School of Social Work is an approved provider by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) for the 350 hours of initial required training for MSW graduates to become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).

As you plan your MSW course work, the links below indicate which courses apply toward the 350 hours initial training requirement. Please note that you only need to take enough of these courses in the designated sections to meet the OASAS training hours requirements noted at the bottom of each column.

After graduation, please complete and mail the application on the link below to submit your request for review of your UB MSW transcript.
If you have successfully completed the required 350 hours, a certificate will then be issued to you which you will need to use in completing the process with NYS OASAS to become a CASAC-Trainee. If you do not have enough MSW course hours to meet the 350 hours of CASAC initial training, we may have noncredit online workshops that could fulfill the missing training hours you need. Email sw-ce-director@buffalo.edu for more information.
An MSW Field Placement or prior/concurrent experience in an addictions or dual diagnosis setting is strongly recommended.
6000 hours of applicable work experience is needed along with the 350 hour training. Your MSW may be substituted for 4000 hours of work experience, provided that 2000 hours of paid work experience occurs/occurred within five years prior to submission of the CASAC application to NYS OASAS.
To become a CASAC-Trainee, you must complete the OASAS credentialing application and send in the fee. If the review of your application is successful, you will receive a CASAC-Trainee certificate from the OASAS Credentialing Unit. Visit the OASAS link below for detailed information.
If you have questions, please email sw-ce-director@buffalo.edu

Application for Transcript Review

MSW Courses Needed for Students Admitted Prior to 1/1/11

MSW Courses Needed for Students Admitted After 1/1/11

NYS OASAS CASAC Requirements