NASAC awards San Jacinto College accreditation
PASADENA, Texas – The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission has approved permanent accreditation status for San Jacinto College’s mental health and addiction studies associate degree program.
“The accreditation of our associate degree in mental health and addiction studies is important because it ensures that our students are trained at the highest level of professional standards,” said program director Cayman Tirado, MA, LCDC, CPS. “It encourages employers to partner with us and hire from our program as they can be assured students come to them prepared.”
San Jacinto College’s mental health and addiction studies programs trains mental health technicians and substance use disorder counselors. The program offers courses that allow students to apply classroom skills in a treatment setting. Students receive their education in the most current, evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, ensuring that clients will be provided with the highest standard of care on the journey to recovery.
While the process to obtain the NASAC accreditation is voluntary, San Jacinto College believes it is necessary to take the program to the next level. “We originally submitted the application two years ago,” noted Tirado. “We received feedback from a team of evaluators, and in working with our faculty, dean, and advisory committee, took those suggestions and created the best program for our region. This was truly a team effort that allowed us to evaluate our curriculum and strengthen our program.”
The accreditation is valid for six years. In a letter to the College, Roy Kramer, NASAC chair stated, “Your NASAC accreditation approval status identifies your program as meeting nationally approved accreditation standards for education of addictions professionals. The students of your institution are assured that the credits provided will be accepted toward state and national credentialing systems, state licensing boards, and are transferable to other accredited higher education institutions.”
To learn more about the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission, visit the NASAC website.
Learn more about the mental health services program
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. The College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, serving approximately 41,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.
For more information about San Jacinto College visit sanjac.edu.
