Jun 5, 2020 By: yunews
The has announced a new joint program in which students will earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) while also becoming a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).
鈥淎 Wurzweiler education prepares students to meet the varying needs of vulnerable people. Students now have the tools to fight the opioid epidemic, one of the country鈥檚 most pressing social and health care issues,鈥 said Dr. Danielle Wozniak, vice provost and the Dorothy and David I. Schachne Dean of Wurzweiler. 鈥淎t no additional cost, the joint program will graduate social workers educationally eligible to become a Credentialed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, now that Wurzweiler is a certified provider of addiction education by the NY State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.鈥
Courses specifically focused on addictions are now part of the 60 graduate credits required for the MSW program. They will cover intake, assessment, and evaluation and treatment along with a study of the ethical, policy and legal contexts of addictions. Students will also complete a study of psychosocial pathology to prepare them for treating the other mental health issues that often co-occur with substance use disorders. Two advanced practice social work group courses complete the program.
Dr. Tim Conley, the director of the new program, said, 鈥淲hile COVID-19 will eventually pass, the opioid epidemic will be with us for many years to come. Data show that alcohol dependence is actually on the rise, and there is a critical workforce shortage of qualified professionals in the field of addictions.鈥
Wurzweiler is proud to offer students the education required to help serve those struggling with addictions. To learn more about the MSW/CASAC program and curriculum, visit our program page.
