The College at Brockport State University of New York
Health Science Department
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies Program
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies Program (ASAP)
The ASAP consists of eight courses that may be taken at either the graduate or the undergraduate level, along with
a required internship/seminar. These courses consist of the following: Introduction to Alcohol and other Drugs;
Group Counseling for Alcohol and Other Drugs; Individual Treatment Planning for Alcohol and Other Drugs;
Theories of Alcohol and Other Drugs; Counseling Diverse Populations for Alcohol and Other Drugs; Evaluation
and Assessment of Alcohol and Other Drugs; Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Other Drugs; Ethics in AOD;
and Internship/Internship Seminar. Many of the students who complete the ASAP major also elect to complete a
second major in psychology, social work, criminal justice, and other related areas.
The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies Program is recognized by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors
(NAADAC) as an approved educational and training provider for preparing addiction counselors. The New York
State Institute for Professional Development in the Addictions has recognized and honored The College at
Brockport Program with its New York State Award of Program Excellence in Addiction Education.
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An ASAP program with a difference
In contrast to other counselor preparation programs in the area, The College at Brockport’s program offers graduate or
undergraduate college credits for course work. These credits may be applied toward a baccalaureate or master’s degree in
health science, or they may be applied toward other social science/human service degrees as electives.. In addition to the
wide diversity of students we attract, the faculty represent a cross section of disciplines including the addictions,
psychology, public administration, and counseling professions. This multifaceted approach in delivering alcoholism and
substance-abuse training for individuals considering a career in this profession maximizes the student learning process.
The primary distinction is that The College at Brockport’s program is credit-bearing, as opposed to other certificate
programs, which offer continuing education units (CEUs). College credits may be applied toward a degree
and/or certificate program at Brockport or at other institutions of higher learning. CEUs, on the other hand,
cannot be applied toward a degree at Brockport, nor can they be transferred to other institutions of higher
learning for credit.
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OASAS & CASAC Standards
The College at Brockport ASAP is designed to meet the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
Services (OASAS) standards for the CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee) and
CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) Examination. The ASAP internship provides a
substantial number of the experiential hours required before one can take the examination, and many of our students
obtain the CASAC-T prior to graduation.
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Becoming a CASAC in New York State
Our courses prepare students to meet the required 350 clock hours of education mandated by the state. Our internship
program provides up to 600 hours of supervised participation needed to sit for the CASAC exam. The amount of
clinical experience required to sit for the CASAC exam is two years, full-time in an approved setting. Clinical work
experience may be gained through previous or current volunteer or paid positions in the area of addictions; however,
only a year of volunteer work may be applied. A bachelor’s degree may substitute for one year of work experience, OR
a master’s for two years of work experience.
Important consideration: Since each individual brings different and unique qualifications to the program in terms of
education, and especially in terms of prior experience in the field, you can call the credentialing division of OASAS to
get your own personalized evaluation. To contact the agency, call (800) 482-9564.
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About our Internships
A supervised internship placement is necessary for successful degree completion. The length of the internship varies,
depending upon your prior work experience in the field. Internship credits are determined in consultation with the
program coordinator. The internship placement occurs after you have completed the initial eight core courses (as
well as HLS 488) with a grade of C or better and have an overall GPA of at least 2.50. Internship placements include
inpatient, outpatient, adolescent, corrections, and rural treatment programs.
Many internships are set up as a volunteer experience for which you receive course credit. If an agency offers
you a paid position as part of your internship, it is possible that you will be able to accept it. However, in such
situations, please be sure to consult the program coordinator.
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Taking ASAP courses to supplement your education
The area of alcohol and substance abuse affects all walks of life, hence, the content of the ASAP courses will be of value
to most students interested in the human condition. Alcohol and substance abuse issues have a direct influence on
individuals and families as well as systems (mental health, criminal justice, corrections, etc.). As in any discipline, it would
be to your advantage to learn as much as possible about this area of study; however, we have no indication that students
who are not in the addictions field have any more difficulty with the course work than do those who are not in the
addictions field, if they have fulfilled appropriate prerequisites.
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Combining ASAP coursework with a master’s program
Upon consultation with your advisor, you may incorporate several of the ASAP
courses into your graduate degree. Many students in the health science, public administration, counselor education,
and social work programs choose this option.
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If you have already completed the undergraduate program
At the present time, we are referring students to graduate-level course work in counselor education, social work,
nursing, and public administration. Additional options for graduate study may be discussed with your faculty advisor.
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Grade and GPA requirements
Program requirements provide no credit for a course in which the student receives a grade of lower than “C.” For
example, if you get a “C -” in a course, you would have to take the course over in order to get credit for the class
leading to the certification. While this is consistent with the policy for health science majors, it may not be consistent
with the policies for other majors. For example, a “C -” may be accepted for credit toward your social work degree,
but the “C-“would not be accepted toward completion of the certificate program. For requirements for majors other
than health science, consult with your advisor. An overall 2.50 GPA is required to enroll in the internship/seminar.
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Job opportunities and salary expectations
Many of our students, upon completion of the internship experience, secure positions in the alcoholism/substance
abuse counseling area. In addition, several of our students decide to further their education at the graduate level.
Whether it be a job, further training, or graduate study, our program offers students many different opportunities.
Salaries for entry-level counselors vary depending upon the agency, organization, or treatment center (federal,
state, or local). Most individuals with a bachelor’s degree enter the profession earning in the low- to mid-twenties.
Those individuals earning the CASAC or holding a master’s degree are able to command higher salaries.
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About the faculty
At the present time, our faculty consists of professional counselors and educators trained in the areas of addictions
counseling, public administration, rehabilitation counseling and psychology. The faculty is as follows:
Program Coordinator: Gary J. Metz, MS, MPA, CASAC, MAC Metz is the program coordinator and an
associate professor of health science. He holds master’s degrees in health science and public administration from
The College at Brockport and is a master addictions counselor. Metz has over forty years of experience in the
profession as an administrator, counselor and educator. He has served as a consultant and director on numerous
grants that provide substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment programming to South America, Near
and South East Asia and Russia. His research interests focus on rural substance abuse prevention, substance abuse
and criminal justice populations and cults, sects and fringe group movements. Metz is the recipient of numerous
awards including the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association Award of Honor, The Phi Beta
Delta Metal for International Drug Prevention Programming and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in
Faculty Service.
Program faculty member: Jessica L. Sniatecki, PhD, CRC Sniatecki is an assistant professor of health
science in ASAP. She holds her doctorate in counselor education from the University at Buffalo and has held
national certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor since 2004. Sniatecki has clinical experience with individuals and
groups in a variety of treatment settings. Her research focuses on the college experience for students with
disabilities, positive aspects of disability, and career development for students with disabilities.
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Required courses
The following is a compilation of the required ASAP courses. Because each course is not offered every semester, be
sure to check course schedules and discuss your program outline with an ASAP faculty member. All courses need to
be completed prior to the internship seminar and internship. In addition to the required ASAP courses, students are
also required to take HLS 488: Applied Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
HLS 409/509 Introduction to Alcohol and Other Drugs. Introduces students to a variety of drug problems,
including alcohol and tobacco, in contemporary society. Analyzes the diverse determinants (e.g., pharmacologic,
behavioral, social, economic, historic) of these problems. Discusses effective substance abuse prevention and
treatment strategies. 3 credits.
HLS 421/521 Group Counseling for Alcohol and Other Drugs. Corequisite or prerequisite: HLS 418/518 or HLS
409/509 (may be taken concurrently). Introduces students to the basic foundations of group dynamics and group therapy.
Deals with the historical development of the group process movement, stages and techniques of group therapy,
curative aspects of the group process, interpersonal learning, and problems associated with group process. 3 credits.
HLS 422/522 Individual Treatment Planning for Alcohol and Other Drugs. Corequisite or Prerequisite: either HLS
418/518 or HLS 409/509 (may be taken concurrently). Introduces students to the elements of individualized treatment
planning; provides in-depth coverage of client goal formulation; and requires writing and evaluation of attainable
client objectives. Also examines the bio-psychosocial-spiritual aspects of the individualized treatment plan and client
case management. 3 credits.
HLS 423/523 Theories of Alcohol and Other Drugs. Corequisite or prerequisite: HLS 418/518 or HLS 409/509 (may be
taken concurrently). Reviews major contemporary theories on alcoholism and other addictions (disease model,
psychoanalytic formulations, conditioning models, social learning analyses, family systems perspectives, socio-cultural
view points, transtheoretical model (stages of change) and harm reduction. Critically evaluates the concepts and
research generated from each perspective. Analyzes the usefulness of each theory in the practice of substance abuse
prevention and counseling. 3 credits.
HLS 424/524 Counseling Diverse Populations for Alcohol and Other Drugs. Corequisite or prerequisite: either HLS
418/518 or HLS 409/509 (may be taken concurrently). Prepares students for working in a counseling setting with
alcohol/substance abusers having multiple emotional and developmental disabilities, criminal justice clients, and
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individuals from diverse population groups including Native Americans, Latinos, people of color, women, and
gays/lesbians. 3 credits.
HLS 435/535 Evaluation and Assessment of Alcohol and Other Drugs. Prerequisite: HLS 418/518 or 409/509 .
Covers the theory and methodology of measurement, assessment and evaluation in alcohol and substance abuse and
alcoholism and dependence. Studies the more widely researched and utilized methods of assessment: clinical
interviews, structured interviews, and standardized instruments. Reviews instruments used in screening, diagnosis,
treatment planning and neuropsychological evaluation. Also covers documentation, report writing and the ethics of
assessment. Employs extensive use of clinical materials to illustrate uses and limitations of various techniques. 3
credits.
HLS 445/545 Psychopharmacology of Alcohol and Other Drugs. Cross-listed as PSH 445. Corequisite or Prerequisite:
HLS 418/518 or HLS 409/509 (may be taken concurrently). Covers the effects of alcohol, sedatives, stimulants, opiates,
hallucinogens and other drugs, especially their effects on the central nervous system, behavior and mood. Relates
the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics to intoxication tolerance, withdrawal, abuse and dependence of each
drug. Includes the learning and motivational components of drug tolerance and addiction. 3 credits.
HLS 455/555 Ethics in Alcohol and Other Drugs. Corequisite or prerequisite: HLS 418/518 or HLS 409/509 (may be
taken concurrently). Helps students develop a personal framework for ethical action and become more effective in
addressing ethical issues in the field of alcohol and drug dependency counseling. Uses the ethical standards of
OASAS and NAADAC to build a theoretical framework for approaching ethical dilemmas in a systematic way.
Intended to deepen awareness of new and emerging ethical issues and provide the tools necessary for the entry level
professional. 3 credits.
*HLS 497/597 Intern Seminar for Alcohol and Other Drugs Prerequisites: HLS 418/518, 421/521, 422/522,
423/523, 424/524, 435/535, 445/545, HLS 455/555; 488; 2.5 GPA for all courses completed at The College at Brockport and
instructor’s permission. Designed to be taken concurrently with HLP 498. Allows students to process their experience
in the field in a clinical group supervision format. Addresses issues which present themselves within the internship
setting, including situations with clients, peers, and supervisors. Covers ethics, confidentiality, and diversity issues.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading. 3 credits.
*HLP 498/HLS 598 Internship for Alcohol and Other Drugs. Course fee. Prerequisites: HLS 409/509 or 418/518,
421/521, 422/522, 423/523, 424/524, 435/535, 445/545, 455/555; 488; 2.5 GPA; and program coordinator’s permission.
Provides an internship in an alcoholism and substance abuse treatment facility. Requires students to apply
knowledge from course work in a variety of settings with people in varying stages of alcohol and substance abuse
and dependence; and to gain experience in assessment, treatment planning, evaluation, making referrals, counseling,
therapeutic treatment, and professional ethics. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading. 12 credits.
*HLS 497/597 and HLP 498/ HLS 598 must be taken concurrently, during fall or spring semester.
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