Substance abuse counseling degrees teach you how to help people by treating and curing addictions to alcohol, drugs, and other things. There’s a good chance you know someone who has faced substance addiction. If you have, then you know that not only the addicts struggle with the addiction, but those around them do as well.
Substance abuse counselors often work with other specialists to make treatment plans tailored to the needs of individuals. More judges have begun using mandatory counseling in lieu of jail time for drug users, thereby increasing demand for substance abuse counselors.
Requirements vary from state to state. Those interested in pursuing any type of counseling career should check with their state board for certification and licensing details.
25 Notable Online Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Programs:
1–2. Assumption College
Online BA in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies and MA in Rehabilitation Counseling
($+)
- U.S. News & World Reportranked among the top 50 Rehabilitation Counseling graduate programs in the nation.
- Assumption’s program offers a concentration in Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling.
- Credits required: 120.
- The BA in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies flows into a 60 credit hour MA in Rehabilitation Counseling Program.
- Students who have completed MA program will be eligible to sit for the CRC exam.
- Two 5-day, on-campus sessions taking place during each summer semester, lodging available.
- Programs may not meet the requirements for certification outside Massachusetts.
- Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges,
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE), and the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
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3–4. Brescia University
Online AA in Human Services and BA in Psychology
($$)
- Brescia’s Associate of Arts in Human Services credits apply to Brescia University’s online bachelor’s degree programs in Social Work (degree completion) and Psychology.
- The AA prepare students for entry-level human service positions.
- The human services associate focuses on crisis counseling and intervention, theory, case management, information systems and other human services areas.
- Credits required: 63.
- Brescia’s BA in Psychology is a great step toward many career paths involving counseling.
- The BA is also an excellent foundation for advanced degree in psychology, counseling, social work, and more.
- Credits required: 128.
- Admissions is on a rolling basis. Classes are constantly forming; begin taking classes as soon as you receive acceptance.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Commission on Colleges.
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5–6. Capella University
Online MS in General Addiction Counseling and Ph.D. in Addiction Psychology
($+–$$)
- Cappella offers an online Master of Science in Addiction Studies that emphasizes the relationship between addiction and mental health illness.
- Students must participate in two 6-day residencies.
- All faculty hold doctoral degrees and many are active practitioners.
- Capella also offers MS degrees in Counseling Psychology, General Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy, and General Mental Health Counseling.
- Capella’s Ph.D. program is one of very few online non-clinical doctoral specializations in addiction psychology.
- Admissions for either degree requires a bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
- In addition to regular online coursework, Ph.D. students must complete five credits minimum through the Comprehensive Exam, 20 credits minimum through the Dissertation, and three 4-day residential colloquia.
| Master’s | PhD | |
|---|---|---|
| Credits required: | 61 | 80 |
| Transferrable credits: | 8 | 33 |
| Program Costs: | $$ | $$ |
- *Capella uses a quarter calendar system. Required credits shown above have been converted to semester hours. Learn about Quarter Credits versus Semester Credits.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).
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7. Colorado Christian University
($$)
- CCU’s Christian framework promotes study of the whole person, including the spiritual dimension, giving you opportunity to explore the relationship between faith and psychology.
- Tailor the program around your specific area of interests in addictive behaviors, including eating disorders, hoarding, and other fields of study.
- Credits required: 60.
- Transfer up to 12 graduate-level credit hours.
- Take as little as one class per semester, or up to four classes a semester.
- Learn from professors who have extensive research and real-world experience.
- Graduates are academically prepared to take the National Counselor Exam, which is the licensure exam for the state of Colorado and many other states.
- CCU may waive the GRE admissions requirement for students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or above.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC), and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
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8–9. Grand Canyon University
BS in Counseling and MS in Addiction Counseling
($$–$$+)
- GCU offers a Bachelor of Science in Counseling with emphases in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse.
- The Bachelor’s in Substance Abuse Counseling graduates may immediately pursue counseling positions, pursue graduate degrees in counseling.
- Students focus on substance use disorders, addiction and treatment, and ways that adults, children, and adolescents struggle with these disorders. Students also examine the family dynamics of addiction.
- Counseling skills courses and a fieldwork/practicum course complete the focused coursework list.
- MS students receive hands-on experience through supervised fieldwork and an internship, which are mandatory program requirements.
- Students take part in a supervised practicum/internship experience to develop their counseling skills. Assistance with placement in your location is available.
- All program graduates will be academically prepared to begin the process of seeking certification and/or licensure in their home state.
- No statement of faith or religious affiliation is required of prospective students.
| Bachelor’s | Master’s | |
|---|---|---|
| Credits required: | 120 | 36 |
| Program cost: | $$+ | $$ |
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).
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10–11. Indiana Wesleyan University
Online BS in Addictions Counseling and Online MA in Addictions Counseling
($$)
- Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is a private, Christian, liberal arts institution.
- IWU’s bachelor degree completion track can allow you to take full advantage of past credits.
- Bachelor students must complete a practicum at mutually agreed-upon sites.
- The program requires 124 credit hours for completion in addition to the practicums.
- Transfer up to 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Approved Education Provider of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC).
- U.S. News & World Report named IWU among the top master’s universities in the Midwest.
- The Master’s in Addiction Counseling online offers a specialization in Addictions Counseling online.
- The rigorous academic coursework enables students to pursue licensure and certifications.
- Credits required for the MA: 48.
- Program participants qualify for membership in Addiction Professional in Training national certification through NAADAC and will be qualified to seek accreditation and become Master Addiction Counselors upon graduation.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC), and is Approved Education Provider of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals.
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12–14. Liberty University
Online BS, MA, and Ph.D. Counseling programs
($+–$$)
- Liberty has been training champions for Christ since 1971, and pioneering distance education since 1985.
- Obtain the BS in Psychology en route to the Master of Arts in Human Services, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Professional Counseling.
- Liberty’s Master’s in Addiction Counseling online equips students with the theoretical basis of addictions and the ability to clinically assess and diagnose individuals with substance-related problems.
- Courses provide students training in Christian discipleship, with a strong understanding of biological and neurobiological aspects of addiction, as well as treatment options, recommendations, intervention planning, and psychopharmacology.
- Liberty’s Ph.D. in Counseling program, with specializations in Professional or Pastoral Care Counseling, emphasize empirically supported treatments and applied clinical research.
- The Ph.D. program includes a one-week residential intensive component.
- Preferred applicants will have a Master’s degree in counseling, or a related field.
- A 6-credit-hour internship is a required part of the Ph.D. in Counseling program.
| Bachelor’s | Master’s | PhD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits required: | 120 | 36 | 63 |
| Transferrable credits: | 75% | 6 | 15 |
| Program cost: | $+ | $+ | $$ |
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS),
Commission on Colleges.
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15. Niagara County Community College
($ residents / $+ non-residents)
- An affordable State University of New York (SUNY) degree!
- NCCC’s associate in Human Services can be an economically wise choice on your path to a bachelor’s degree, and it will prepare you for positions in numerous settings, including drug and alcohol rehabilitation settings.
- Stressing hands-on learning, NCCC requires internships. Internships can be completed online and will help you on the job market and when applying to 4-year programs.
- Receive guidance from professionals who know what you need to prepare for your next step in life. NCCC offers over 70 degree and certificate programs; they know how to help you.
- Credits required: 64.
- Students are admitted in September and January.
- NCCC has articulation agreements with SUNY–Brockport, SUNY–Buffalo, Utica College of Syracuse University, and more.
- Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
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16. Northwestern State University
Online BS in Psychology, Substance Abuse Counselor Concentration
($+)
- NSU supports both faculty and student research by fostering professionalism within the department, and prepares students to pursue either graduate education or immediate employment.
- The department delivers a broad education based in science that explores the human mind and human behavior, and that emphasizes current theory, research, and applications.
- The Bachelor’s in Substance Abuse counseling degree program was the first bachelor’s of psychology in the state of Louisiana offered completely online.
- The program also includes optional concentrations in substance abuse counseling and prevention specialist.
- ACT or SAT scores can be waived with transfer credits from lower-level English and Math courses.
- Credits required: 120.
- Transfer credits subject to approval.
- NSU also offers an Addiction Studies Minor which requires only 18 semester hours.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS),
Commission on Colleges.
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17. Ohio Christian University
Online BA in Counseling, Substance Abuse
($$)
- A Bachelor of Arts in Substance Abuse Counseling will allow you to work in addiction recovery services field.
- OCU’s Substance Abuse Counseling degree provides the 270 hours of chemical dependency education required for licensure in the State of Ohio.
- Additional requirements, such as supervised work experience in an addiction counseling setting, are the responsibility of the student and usually occur after graduation.
- OCU has designed its coursework specifically for working adults. You take one class at a time and OCU mails textbooks directly to your home.
- Credits required: 120, including 51 core credit hours.
- Students who complete the Substance Abuse Counseling major should be able to utilize assessment techniques to identify the needs of patients, create treatment planning, counsel individuals, families, and groups, and educate clients, families and groups about chemical dependency.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).
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18. Purdue University Global
Online BS and MS in Psychology in Addictions
($$/$$)
- Purdue University Global is a public nonprofit university offering a wide range of affordable online degree programs designed to meet the needs of working adult students.
- These programs follow a 10-week term calendar.
- The calendar is divided into three tracks with staggered start dates throughout the year.
- The MS in Psychology in Addictions is accredited by the National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission
- The BS in Psychology in Addictions is included in the Purdue Global Tuition Cap to significantly lower the total program cost.
- Financial aid, student loans, student grants, and tuition savings are available for eligible students.
- Purdue University Global is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
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19. Rasmussen College
($+)
- The AAS in Human Services career positions could include social service specialist, human service assistant, and community service specialist in settings such as juvenile justice centers and mental health facilities.
- Rasmussen offers an optional internship program to afford you the experience and confidence, beneficial for successfully dealing with difficult situations.
- Rasmussen locks your tuition, guaranteeing tuition will not increase while students stay enrolled.
- Credits required: 60. Rasmussen does utilize a quarter credit system. Required credits shown have been converted to semester hours. Learn about Quarter Credits versus Semester Credits.
- Transfer previous credits from general education courses or any area of study. You can test out of foundational courses. And, earn credit for prior learning and military experience. You can find Rasmussen's complete transfer policy on their website.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).
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20. Thomas University
Online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
($$)
- Thomas University offers the Master of Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization in Addictions and Alcohol Counseling.
- The 60-credit MS program exists entirely online, with no required residencies.
- Graduates in the Addictions and Alcohol Counseling specialization are academically equipped to take CRC exams after completing 75% of the program, and seek Clinical Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CCAADC) certification.
- A practicum and three internships are required of those seeking the specialization area.
- Students in this specialization complete their practicum, and internships (totalling 1000 contact hours) in alcohol and drug addiction facilities (AODA settings).
- The specialization in Addictions and Alcohol Counseling program graduates are prepared for Licensed Associate Professional Counselors licensure.
- At the completion of the Mental Health Counseling specialization students are academically prepared for licensing exams in their state (Georgia is the Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC, Florida is the Licensed Mental Health Counselor or LMHC).
- Graduates will need to complete post-graduate supervision as dictated by their state regulations prior to taking the licensing examination. (See your state regulations for licensing requirements.)
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS),
Commission on Colleges, and the Council of Rehabilitation Education accredited.
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21. University of North Texas
Online BAAS Degree Completion and MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
($$)
- UNT’s BAAS (Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences) degree completion program helps students complete a 4-year Bachelor degree.
- The BAAS accepts workforce and military credits, and is idea for students with technical or applied degrees, or transfer students with technical, applied, or military credits from approved institutions.
- Graduates of the BAAS program use their degrees to break through promotional barriers in existing jobs or to change careers altogether.
- Credits required: 120, including transferred credits (up to 90 credits).
- UNT’s graduate programs ranked at #13 in the nation and #1 in Texas according to U.S. News & World Report.
- Students must complete 48 credit hours, comprised of coursework, practicums and internships.
- Select a thesis or non-thesis option within the MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program.
- Students receive preparation towards national certification as a rehab counselor or towards state licensure for becoming a professional counselor or a chemical dependency counselor.
- Students can complete the program in a little over two years taking six hours per term.
- Practicum and internship required. One practicum requires 100 contact hours in a rehabilitation agency, and a 600-hour internship.
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS),
Commission on Colleges, and the Council of Rehabilitation Education.
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22. University of Cincinnati
Online BS in Substance Abuse Counseling
($$)
- UC’s substance abuse counseling program is a part of the Division of Human Services in the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services.
- Students majoring in the substance abuse counseling program have the opportunity to be taught by and work with professionals currently working in the field of substance abuse and counseling.
- Enhance your substance abuse counseling program experience by choosing an area of study within the degree requirements, such as child abuse recognition or another human service-related area.
- Program graduates will have met academic requirements for Ohio Licensure under Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board guidelines. (Additional field practice hours are required for eligibility to take the state OCDPB license examination as well as other application requirements).
- Credits required: 120.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).
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23–24. University of Massachusetts
BA in Applied Psychology and MS in Rehabilitation Counseling
($$)
- UMass consistently appears at the top of ranking system publications worldwide, and UMass Online has received the Sloan Consortium Award for the Most Outstanding Online Teaching and Learning Program.
- The psychology program can help you land a career in counseling and administration, victim advocacy, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and more.
- Or, upon graduation, stay at UMass and pursue your master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling.
- Credits required: 120.
- Transfer credits welcomed; Earn up to 30 credits for life and workplace experience.
- The MS program at UMass is rigorous and rewarding. In addition to coursework, students complete field experiences in rehabilitation counseling settings through practicum and internship at agencies in their regions.
- Students must participate in two on-campus clinicals. Clinicals usually occur in late June and early July. The remaining coursework is online.
- MS credits required: 60.
- The Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program prepares students to meet academic requirements for licensure in Massachusetts, and achieve national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification.
- UMass Amherst does not presently consider Alabama, Arkansas, or Kansas resident’s applications.
- Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges,
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE), and the Council of Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
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25. Walden University
Online MS in Addiction and Ph.D. in Psychology, Counseling
($$)
- Walden’s MS in Addiction Counseling offers specializations in Addictions and Public Health, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Family Studies and Interventions, Forensic Counseling, and Trauma and Crisis Counseling.
- The program focuses on substance abuse and addictive behaviors such as binge eating, gambling, and hoarding.
- 90 quarter-credits in total, including a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship, are required for the degree. Learn about Quarter Credits versus Semester Credits.
- Students create development plans leading toward certification exams necessary for licensure.
- Graduates qualify to sit for the Examination for Master Addictions Counselors (EMAC) and state Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) exams. Check your state’s licensing requirements.
- Those interested in counseling should also consider Walden’s MS in Mental Health Counseling, and a Trauma and Crisis specialization, both of which are Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited.
- The Psychology Ph.D. program offers eight specializations. Select the Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology area if you want to prepare for licensure and independent psychological practice.
- Credit required for the PhD: 160 quarter credits. Transfer up to 50%. Learn about Quarter Credits versus Semester Credits.
- There are four residencies required, but students may do two of them online.
- The Ph.D. in Psychology programs to prepare graduates to sit for psychology licensing exams. These specializations meet the academic licensure requirements of some state psychology boards. Walden’s professional specializations in Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology have not received accreditation by the American Psychological Association (APA) and have not received designation by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register (ASPPB/NR), which are requirements for licensure in some states.
- Accreditation: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,
The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC).
Job outlook for substance abuse counseling degree graduates:
| Associate (Human Services Assistants) |
Bachelor’s (Substance Abuse Counselors) |
Master’s (Mental Health Counselors) |
PhD (Clinical / Counseling Psychologists) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay range, 2012: | $19K–$46K | $25K–$60k | $25K–$67k | $38K–$110k |
| Median pay, 2012: | $28,800 | $38,500 | $41,500 | $69,280 |
| U.S. jobs in 2012: | 372,700 | 89,600 | 166,300 | 160,200 |
| Job growth forecast 2012–22: | 22% | 31% | 29% | 12% |
| Projected U.S. jobs, 2022: | 454,701 | 117,375 | 214,527 | 179,424 |
Job opportunities for substance abuse counseling degree graduates:
| Associate | Bachelor’s | Master’s | PhD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case Manager Aide | Case Manager | Substance Abuse Clinician | Substance Abuse Therapist |
| Counselor Assistant | Alcohol & Drug Counselor | Addictions Counselor | Clinical Director |
| Mental Health Technician | Addictions Counselor | Clinical Coordinator | Behavior Specialist |
Master List
25 programs at 18 schools arranged alphabetically. Consult our Cost Index ($$+) to compare prices.
| Click any name for details | Associate | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate | Request FREE Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assumption College | $+ | $+ | |||
| Brescia University | $$ | $$ | |||
| Capella University | $+ | $$ | FREE info! | ||
| Colorado Christian U | $$ | ||||
| Grand Canyon U | $$ | $$+ | FREE info! | ||
| Indiana Wesleyan U | $$ | $$ | |||
| Liberty University | $+ | $+ | $$ | FREE info! | |
| Niagara County CC | $ / $+ | ||||
| Northwestern State | $+ | ||||
| Ohio Christian U | $$ | ||||
| Purdue University Global | $$ | $$ | |||
| Rasmussen College | $+ | FREE info! | |||
| Thomas University | $$ | ||||
| U of North Texas | $$ | $$ | |||
| U of Cincinnati | $$ | ||||
| UMass | $$ | $$ | |||
| Walden University | $$ | $$ | FREE info! |
The associate substance abuse counseling degrees:
Due to the varying state regulations for counseling with less than bachelor’s degree, it may be wise to consider associate degrees in Human Service. These will help you get started on a good path whether you desire going straight to work, pursuing a bachelor’s degree, or both.
An AA or AS (Associate of Art, or Science) is best used as a foundation for a bachelor’s degree. If your desire is to get into a field without pursuing a 4-year degree, an AAS (Associate of Applied Science) can deliver the skills you need.
The bachelor’s degrees in substance abuse counseling:
Psychology and substance abuse counseling programs cover topics including, but not limited to: addictions, psychiatric disabilities, co-occurring disorders, abnormal psychology, human development and cognition, marriage and family issues, and more. With such broad-reaching education, a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BS (Bachelor of Science) focusing on substance abuse counseling can lead to a variety of rewarding career options.
Becoming a counselor frequently requires certification and/or licensure, but these requirements vary from state to state. Check with your state board of licensure to determine certification and licensing requirements. In some states, a bachelor’s degree will not meet certification and licensure standards, but it is a necessary step towards graduate work.
Many substance abuse degree programs provide training and testing for certification and licensure. Most programs require internships. Internships can often be coordinated with your school and agencies in your location.
A Bachelor’s in Substance Abuse Counseling can also be earned online, through many program options. These online schools for drug and alcohol counseling can be a good alternative for busy professionals who don’t have the time to commit to a full-time, on-campus program.
The master’s degrees in substance abuse counseling:
Many states require a master’s degree in psychology or a related field for substance abuse counseling. Graduate degrees are virtually a must for any management or education-oriented positions. Graduate training also allows you to further specialize your training, or provides opportunity to branch out and explore other areas of counseling and psychology.
In addition to learning the latest detection methods and treatments for individuals suffering from addiction, graduate students will learn to develop family therapy techniques. A master’s degree can lead to career advancement, a step toward a doctoral degree, and eventual licensure as a clinical psychologist. A master’s degree in this field can put you on the fast track to employment in what is one of the most rapidly growing fields in psychology.
The doctoral degrees in substance abuse counseling:
Doctoral degrees in substance abuse counseling are typically Ph.D.s in Psychology or PsyDs (Doctors of Psychology), but there are also Ph.D.s in Addiction Psychology specifically, or Counseling more broadly. Some states do require a doctoral degree in order to sit for licensure or certification exams. A Ph.D. in Psychology focusing on substance abuse will prepare students for clinical work as well as a university or college teaching career.
Salary, number of jobs, and employment growth provided by: Bureau of Labor Statistics
