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Double Major in Social Work

For those passionate about helping people overcome addiction and supporting mental health.

Our Addictions and Behavioral Health & Social Work double major makes you a competitive candidate for various positions in mental health and addiction services right after graduation.

  • Immediate Career Advantages: Graduates are eligible to be Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) in New York State.
  • Advance Faster with an MSW: With a double major in Social Work and Addictions and Behavioral Health, you can complete your Master of Social Work (MSW) in just one year. The MSW is required for social work licensure in New York State.

The Addictions & Behavioral Health Program is ranked #1 in New York State for Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling and is certified by:

  • The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)
  • The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). In addition, graduates of the CSWE accredited social work program may be eligible for advanced standing in a Master’s in Social Work program. This generally means graduates may complete that program in one summer and one academic year rather than two years.

Career Outlook

High Demand

The need for professionals trained in addictions and behavioral health is at an all-time high.

Competitive Salary

Mental health and substance abuse social workers have a national average salary of $63,870.

Job Growth

Careers in social work and substance abuse counseling are expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Plan of Study

  1. During your first two years, you will complete complete General Education requirements and Addictions & Behavioral Health major requirements.
  2. Students who have met the prerequisite requirements start in the Social Work program in their junior year.
  3. In your third and fourth years you will complete all remaining Social Work program requirements, prepare for professional social work practice, and finish the remaining Addictions & Behavioral Health program requirements.

Students interested in completing the double major in Addictions and Behavioral Health and Social Work should declare an Addictions & Behavioral Health major as early as possible, preferably in their first year, and indicate their intent to major in Social Work at the same time. If students sign up later, it may take longer than four years to complete all requirements for the two majors. Double majors are assigned an advisor in both departments to guide them through the sequence of required courses.

Students planning to pursue an Master of Social Work (MSW) degree should consult with their Social Work advisor regularly to receive assistance in selecting and applying to a suitable program. SUNY Brockport social work graduates are often granted advanced standing in MSW programs.

Transfer Student?

Your Addictions & Behavioral Health and Social Work advisors will work closely with you to ensure you can complete the requirements in your last two years of study.

Sample Plan of Study

This plan of study applies only to students who have formally declared a double major in both Social Work and Addiction and Behavioral Health. Students not double majoring in both areas of study are not permitted to substitute courses.

Please Note: Usually, students must take 15 credits per semester to graduate in two years.