Best Online Addiction Counseling Degrees of 2024
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An online bachelor’s in addiction counseling teaches how to assess addictive behaviors and create treatment plans. Students also learn how to provide individual and group counseling and connect clients with helpful community resources.
Graduates can work in roles such as substance use counselors. This guide ranks the top online bachelor’s in addiction and recovery programs to help students find the right one for their needs.
Best Online Addiction Counseling Degrees
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,099
- Out-of-state$25,433
- In-State$13,224
- Out-of-state$24,966
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled40,329
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Purdue University Global-Indianapolis
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$10,080
- Out-of-state$13,356
- In-State$8,730
- Out-of-state$9,700
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled43,458
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Washington University
- Cheney, WA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,896
- Out-of-state$24,722
- In-State$12,353
- Out-of-state$27,939
- Retention Rate67%
- Acceptance Rate97%
- Students Enrolled10,892
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Clarks Summit University
- Clarks Summit, PA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,200
- Out-of-state$27,200
- In-State$7,020
- Out-of-state$7,020
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled696
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Dakota
- Vermillion, SD
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,773
- Out-of-state$11,283
- In-State$6,123
- Out-of-state$11,773
- Retention Rate77%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled9,464
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment56%
- AccreditationYes
Crown College
- Saint Bonifacius, MN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$27,270
- Out-of-state$27,270
- In-State$10,350
- Out-of-state$10,350
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate65%
- Students Enrolled1,476
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment71%
- AccreditationYes
Ottawa University-Online
- Ottawa, KS
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$11,976
- Out-of-state$11,976
- In-State$11,253
- Out-of-state$11,253
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled218
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- AccreditationYes
Ottawa University-Kansas City
- Overland Park, KS
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$12,229
- Out-of-state$12,229
- In-State$10,328
- Out-of-state$10,328
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled551
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment100%
- AccreditationYes
Indiana Wesleyan University-National & Global
- Marion, IN
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$8,453
- Out-of-state$8,453
- In-State$9,715
- Out-of-state$9,715
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled10,008
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment94%
- AccreditationYes
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
- Natchitoches, LA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,180
- Out-of-state$15,968
- In-State$5,738
- Out-of-state$16,526
- Retention Rate64%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled10,735
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment88%
- AccreditationYes
What is an addiction and recovery counselor?
Substance use counselors provide safe spaces for clients to work through addiction challenges. These professionals typically have a caring, compassionate nature and a thorough understanding of how to treat substance use disorders effectively. They may:
- Assess new clients’ health, addictive behavior, and readiness for treatment
- Develop treatment plans and goals with clients and their families
- Offer counseling services to help clients cope with stress, rebuild relationships, and modify behaviors to help them recover
- Connect clients with relevant resources such as job placement services
Substance use counselors can work in many settings, including inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, hospitals, other healthcare providers’ offices, and government agencies.
They typically work with individuals across the lifespan. Yet, some professionals may specialize in a particular age group, such as young adults.
Choosing an Online Addiction Counseling Bachelor’s Program
When researching prospective online substance use counseling degrees, students should consider several factors: accreditation, curriculum, cost, length, and on-campus requirements.
Accreditation
You must graduate from an accredited program to apply for state licensure or professional certifications. The National Addiction Studies Accreditation Commission (NASAC) is the primary accreditation organization for bachelor’s programs in addiction and recovery. NASAC accreditation demonstrates that your program meets academic and industry standards.
Admission Requirements
Because admission requirements for bachelor’s programs in addiction and recovery vary, check your eligibility with each program before you apply. Typical entrance requirements for most addiction counseling programs include the following:
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 or 3.0
- Official transcripts
- Two or more letters of recommendation
- SAT or ACT scores (optional for some programs)
- Application fees
Cost
| Institution Type | Average Tuition and Required Fees | Average Tuition, Fees, and Room and Board |
|---|---|---|
| Public | $9,750 | $22,389 |
| Private For-Profit | $15,868 | $27,767 |
| Private Nonprofit | $38,421 | $52,848 |
| All Institutions | $17,709 | $30,884 |
The cost of your degree depends on whether you enroll in a public or private school, attend full- or part-time, or choose a fully online or hybrid program. Public schools typically charge much less than private institutions. However, public schools typically charge out-of-state students higher rates than in-state students.
Consider other expenses besides tuition and fees, such as books and technological needs, or any expected loss of income while taking courses versus salary prospects once you graduate.
Curriculum and Internship Requirements
Online addiction counseling degrees typically require 120 credits. The curriculum includes core liberal arts and science courses, foundations in counseling and addiction, and electives. Counseling and addiction coursework often focuses on:
- The psychology of addiction
- Individual and group counseling
- Case management, screening, and treatment planning
- Psychopharmacology in the treatment of substance use disorders
- Cultural competence in working with diverse populations
Almost all programs include internship requirements to provide aspiring addiction counselors with supervised practicum experiences in agencies, hospitals, and rehabilitation clinics.
Time Commitment and Format
An online bachelor’s in addiction and recovery may take four years of full-time study, depending on the program requirements and your situation. Attending part-time or entering a program with transfer credits impacts how long it takes to finish your degree.
Most fully online programs use asynchronous course delivery formats that allow you to view lectures and complete assignments when convenient throughout the week. However, some programs follow a synchronous format or a hybrid model requiring some on-campus sessions.
Addiction Counseling Careers
Graduates with an online bachelor’s in addiction counseling can pursue roles like social worker and substance use counselor. Some careers in addiction counseling may require additional education or certification. All salary and job outlook data is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2023.
Social Workers
Social workers help vulnerable individuals and groups deal with life challenges. While social workers with a bachelor’s degree only offer nonclinical services, those with master’s degrees and a clinical social work license can work independently in clinical settings such as hospitals, community agencies, and psychiatric centers. An undergraduate addiction counseling degree focusing on assessment, treatment, and prevention provides a strong foundation for aspiring social workers who want to provide clinical services.
Job Outlook: 7%
Annual Salary Range
$38,400
Bottom 10% Lowest-Paid Annual Salary
$58,380
Median Annual Salary
$94,910
Top 10% Highest-Paid Annual Salary
Substance Use Counselors
Substance use counselors offer services and support to individuals with substance addictions, working in public and private settings, including government agencies, hospitals, and mental health clinics.
They assess clients, develop treatment plans and prevention strategies, and connect clients with resources like rehabilitation options and job placement. Depending on state licensure requirements, these professionals usually enter the field after earning a bachelor’s in counseling, addiction and recovery, or a related field.
Job Outlook: 18%
Annual Salary Range
$36,700
Bottom 10% Lowest-Paid Annual Salary
$53,710
Median Annual Salary
$89,920
Top 10% Highest-Paid Annual Salary
Correctional Treatment Specialists
Correctional treatment specialists counsel incarcerated people or on probation or parole. They coordinate rehabilitation plans and connect clients with counseling services, healthcare, and job training.
Because correctional treatment specialists often work with offenders who have alcohol or drug dependencies, a bachelor’s in addiction counseling can provide useful skills in multicultural counseling practices, assessment, and treatment.
Job Outlook: 3%
Annual Salary Range
$41,700
Bottom 10% Lowest-Paid Annual Salary
$61,800
Median Annual Salary
$105,220
Top 10% Highest-Paid Annual Salary
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Addiction Counseling Degrees
Deciding if this degree is worth the investment depends on several factors, including how it impacts your responsibilities and whether anticipated future earnings and professional opportunities outweigh the cost.
Yet, earning a bachelor’s in addiction and recovery can help you make a significant difference in people’s lives while providing the skills needed to enter various counseling careers. A bachelor’s degree also provides the necessary credentials for state licensure as a substance use counselor in several states and a foundation for graduate work.
In addition to the skills gained through academic training, you need to develop certain “soft skills” that facilitate your ability to interact effectively with others, manage time, and solve problems.
An effective addiction counselor must have strong communication skills and empathy to connect with clients during their most difficult challenges. Whatever situations you encounter, you must refrain from judging your clients while setting boundaries to protect your well-being and prevent burnout.
The first step to becoming an addiction counselor is learning your state’s requirements. Most states require you to earn a bachelor’s degree, which can take 2-4 years. In some jurisdictions, bachelor’s degree holders qualify for licensure, but other states only require an associate degree. However, many states require a master’s degree and a specific number of supervised clinical hours for licensure, which can take an additional two years or more.
Once you earn your license and gain supervised experience, you can boost your career prospects by becoming a national certified addiction counselor or completing other certifications.
Licensure requirements differ by state, but states generally require a bachelor’s or a master’s degree to become an addiction counselor. Most states require a license and a master’s to work with clients independently.
You must hold a master’s degree to pass the National Counselor Exam, which is required for licensure in most states. Optional certifications include national certified addiction counselor or alcohol and drug counselor. Requirements for testing and application fees vary by type of credential.
Substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $53,380. In 2023, the lowest-paid counselors earned less than $36,700, while the top 10% earned more than $94,910.
Your salary prospects depend on many variables, including your highest degree earned, work experience, credentials, and type of employer. For example, counselors in hospital settings earn a median of $54,740, the highest median salary for substance use counselors across settings.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by TheBestSchools. Page last reviewed on January 29, 2024.
