Tompkins Cortland Community College
Degree Programs

Chemical Dependency Counseling

A.S. Degree

Qualified specialists are in strong demand as we learn more about the frequency and severity of substance abuse. You will learn skills to be successful in the growing field of drug and alcohol counseling. The Chemical Dependency Counseling degree prepares you to be a paraprofessional in drug and alcohol counseling and to work in therapeutic communities, rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, hospitals, and other organizations focusing on prevention. Specialized courses in counseling are combined with courses in humanities, social science, math, and science.

The program also provides valuable continuing education and clock hours for those already working in the field.

Program Requirements

Program requirements by semester are detailed in the Degrees and Certificates (pdf, 1.6MB) section of the TC3 college catalog.

All sections of the current college catalog are available online.

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Credentialing

Please refer to the OASAS web site for more detailed information on the credentialing process and requirements.

Career Opportunities

Substance abuse touches so many lives and there is a vital need for qualified counselors and caseworkers. New York State projects above average job growth in this field and local agency directors have expressed strong demand for well-trained people.

This program provides training for employment in human service, youth, and criminal justice agencies as case managers, counselors, education/prevention specialists, and residential staff. The program provides valuable skills, whether you focus your career on substance abuse counseling or need additional education to develop/refine clinical or helping skills.

Graduates have been placed with many firms, including Charles Street Residence, Cortland Community Reentry Program, Inc., Cortland Memorial Hospital, Owego Apalachin Central School District.

Transfer Options

The curriculum in this program is designed for both transfer and for entry directly into the workplace. It includes an established liberal arts core for transfer to baccalaureate programs in social work, health, human services, or related fields. Recent graduates have continued their education at a four-year college or university. Transfer institutions include:

While the A.A.S degree program is designed primarily for students who plan to begin their careers directly after graduation, many graduates transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Program Requirements

Program requirements by semester are detailed in the Degrees and Certificates (pdf, 1.6MB) section of the TC3 college catalog.

All sections of the current college catalog are available online.

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Program Chair / Faculty

Dr. Joseph L. Smith LCSW-R, CASAC

Program Chair
Professor (Chemical Dependency Counseling and Psychology)

B.S. Utica College; M.S.W., Syracuse University; Ph.D, Smith College School for Social Work
E-mail Professor Smith

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