The 20 Best Online Masters in Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Programs

As the number of people suffering from substance abuse and addiction grows, so too does the demand for licensed substance abuse counselors. A Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online or a Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling online typically meet the education requirement for licensure, a necessary step to pursuing a career in substance and addiction counseling. A master’s degree also provides increased career opportunities and higher pay.

Whether already working in the mental health field or just exploring a career change, individuals interested in a career in professional substance abuse counseling may consider a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a Master’s degree in Substance Abuse Counseling or a Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling or related degrees. Some individuals acquire a general master’s degree in psychology, community counseling or social work and supplement the degree with a certificate in substance abuse counseling.

For more degree and career information, skip down to these topics:

• What type of master’s degree does a Substance Abuse Counselor need?
• What type of career is Substance Abuse Counseling?
• Where do Substance Abuse Counselors typically work?
• How much do Substance Abuse Counselors make?
• Is Substance Abuse Counseling a growing field?
• What are the licensing requirements for Substance Abuse Counselors?
• Are there any accreditations that I should look for in Substance Abuse Counseling programs?
• Are there professional certifications or associations for Substance Abuse Counselors?

Online Master in Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Program Ranking Guidelines

We selected the online degree programs based on the quality of the program, the types of courses offered, the faculty, rankings, awards, and reputation, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing quality online degree programs.

RANKING METHODOLOGY

Methodology for College Rankings

The motto of TheBestSchools.org is Finding the best school for you. Here is how we do it:

The value of any ranking list of schools and/or degree programs depends on having a methodologically sound assessment of each school’s/program’s characteristics, especially insofar as these can be objectively measured. A college or university is a complex entity, with numerous factors to consider, and distilling these down to the place where meaningful comparisons can be made to form a defensible ranking list becomes part science and part art.

To meet this challenge—and thereby provide you with the most useful and insightful educational rankings on the Internet—TheBestSchools.org formulates our rankings based on five informational categories (six, when considering online schools). The major metrics and qualities for which we rank are these (with expanded, detailed considerations and weights listed):

1. Academic excellence based on a school’s curriculum generally or within the selected discipline [weight = 25%]

• Weighs school against known leading schools in that discipline
• Weighs number of core curricula listed as advanced courses within that discipline and compares against introductory courses
• Weighs school’s curriculum against known knowledge needs of major employers in that discipline
• Considers number and types of specializations offered within that discipline
• Considers faculty expertise in that discipline
• Considers range of electives within that discipline
• Considers quality of online environment offered to students (if applicable), particularly within that discipline

2. Strength of faculty scholarship [weight = 25%]

• Considers education background of the faculty
• Considers years of faculty experience both inside and outside of academia.
• Considers faculty membership and leadership within relevant, prominent associations
• Considers academic papers published by faculty in relevant, prominent periodicals
• Considers awards and recognitions given to faculty members from prominent organizations and from other sources

3. Reputation [weight = 20%]

• Considers a school’s reputation among academic peers and employers regarding the following:
  • Faculty
  • Curriculum
  • “Freshness” of academic knowledge
  • Adaptability to changes in employment sectors
  • Suitability of graduates for the workplace

4. Financial aid [weight = 10%]

• Mandatory: Requires full accreditation from an agency endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and listed on the federal register to accept student federal financial aid
• Considers range of school-sponsored financial aid such as scholarships and grants

5. Range of degree programs [weight = 20%]

• Considers range of degree levels: associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral and professional
• Considers range of degree subjects offered, such as art & design, computers & technology, education & teaching, criminal justice, and business

6. Strength of online instruction methodology (if applicable) [weight = 25%; subtract 5% from each of the above for online schools/programs]

• Considers the following of the online classes:
  • Types of online technology used to deliver content
  • Pedagogy style: asynchronous, synchronous, or both (depending on the degree)
  • Extent and quality of the online, community learning environment, including options for communication, interactivity, and collaboration between students and also between students and instructors
  • Variety, breadth, and depth of coursework, and its support, including project options and online tutoring
• Considers the following of instructors:
  • Extent of training for teaching within an online learning environment
  • Amount of timely, consistent feedback to students
  • Extent of collaboration with prospective employers to ensure suitability of instructional materials for achieving desired skills
  • Ratio to number of students in a class
• Number and quality of internships in a student’s geographical area for applicable degrees

Because students tend to review a variety of information when choosing a school, the weight a student gives any one criterion will vary. For instance, it’s not enough to offer a carefully constructed ranking of great schools if many are too expensive or too difficult to get into.

To better serve the needs of prospective students, we are therefore increasingly offering filters that help you better use our rankings to find the schools that match your specific needs. These supplement our ranking criteria and include:

• Accreditation
• Public or private status
• Acceptance rate
• Retention rate
• Graduation rate
• ACT/SAT requirements
• Cost in-state / out of state
• Undergrad, grad, or both offered
• Region
• State
• City

Get the best rankings here AND get them to suit your personal needs. That’s TheBestSchools.org advantage!

If you have any questions about our ranking methodology, please contact us.

Citations: For a broader account of our ranking methodology, especially as it relates to TheBestSchools.org’s underlying educational philosophy and, in other ranking articles, looks beyond academic excellence (as here) to such factors as return on investment or incidental benefit, see our article “Ranking Methodology: How We Rank Schools at TBS.” Reputation of schools and degree programs can at least in part be gauged through the rankings of other well-known educational ranking companies. At TheBestSchools.org, we keep track of such social and peer validation: “Making Sense of College Rankings.” For nuts-and-bolts information about colleges and universities, we look to the National Center for Education Statistics and especially its College Navigator. Insofar as salary and inflation data are relevant to a ranking, we look to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Finally, nothing beats contacting schools and degree programs directly, which our researchers often do, with the result that all the entries in this article should be considered as belonging to this citation!

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The Best Online Master in Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Programs

(The list also includes related degree programs.)

1Virginia Commonwealth University – School of Allied Health Professions – Department of Rehabilitation Counseling – [email protected]

(Richmond, Virginia)

Virginia Commonwealth University, a public research university founded in 1838, enrolls more than 31,000 students. Virginia Commonwealth University offers graduate and undergraduate programs across a variety of well-regarded schools, including its School of the Arts, and School of Medicine. In addition to enrolling students on its main campus and online, Virginia Commonwealth University has another campus, in Qatar, which focuses on art programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling degree program which provides students with a strong foundation in culturally responsive and ethical counseling practices and prepares them to work in a variety of professional counseling settings through focusing on clinical training experience in different environments.

The program instills in students a philosophy of counseling which focuses on the dignity, worth, and rights of all individuals in society. Students enhance their ability to exercise skills which promote and realize this philosophy.

The online MS in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
• Theories of Professional Counseling
• Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Mental Health Disorders
• Addiction Counseling
• Case Management

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must complete a practicum and supervised clinical practice. The program requires two one-week residencies for on-campus study; with approval students can complete them at a local college.

Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework, and through pursuing their practicum and supervised clinical practice at relevant facilities.

Virginia Commonwealth University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Department of Rehabilitation Counseling is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

2University of North Texas – College of Health and Public Service – Department of Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation

(Denton, Texas)

The University of North Texas, a public university founded in 1890, enrolls more than 37,000 students. Among a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, the University of North Texas offers a Jazz studies program, notable for being the first of its kind in the country.

The University of North Texas offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling degree program, designed to prepare students to work as professional rehabilitation counselors in a variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities. The program instills students with a balance of clinical knowledge and ethical foundation, emphasizing the importance of a strong commitment to human rights, alongside a commitment to best practices in treatment and healing. Students enhance their ability to provide high-quality services to their clients, and help clients establish or re-establish control in their lives.

The online Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling requires 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation in a Multicultural Society
• Rehabilitation Counseling Theories
• Rehabilitation Counseling Application
• Group Work and the Rehabilitation Process

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must complete a practicum and internship. The program culminates in a comprehensive exam or a certification exam.

Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework, and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

The University of North Texas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Department of Disability and Addiction Rehabilitation is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

3University at Buffalo – Graduate School of Education Online – Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology

(Buffalo, New York)

The University at Buffalo, a public university founded in 1846, enrolls nearly 30,000 students, making it the largest university in the State University of New York System (SUNY). The University at Buffalo offers numerous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Originally a private university, the University at Buffalo became part of the SUNY system in 1962.

The University at Buffalo offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling degree program designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in rehabilitation counseling, including addiction and substance abuse counseling at all levels. The program provides a rehabilitation counseling curriculum with a commitment to respecting and incorporating diversity and promoting personal integrity and professional ethics.

Students in the program enhance their ability to assess and treat the individual needs of their clients, break down physical and attitudinal barriers which affect them, and help their clients establish control and positive change in their lives.

The Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Understanding Statistical Research
• Field Work and Counseling Techniques
• Rehabilitation Foundations
• Foundations of Counseling Theory
• Introduction to Group work

Students in the online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program must also complete a practicum, an internship, and comprehensive exam or research project.

Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework, and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

The University at Buffalo is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Department of Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

4University of Massachusetts, Boston – The College of Advancing and Professional Studies – School for Global Inclusion and Social Development – UMass Online

(Boston, Massachusetts)

The University of Massachusetts, Boston, a public research university founded in 1964, enrolls approximately 17,000 students, with a low student-to-faculty ratio, across 11 colleges, 82 undergraduate programs, and 126 graduate programs. As part of the University of Massachusetts system, The University of Massachusetts Boston offer online degree programs through UMass Online.

The University of Massachusetts, Boston offers an online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling degree program which emphasizes adaptation as a tool of progress and accomplishment and respect for the culturally diverse backgrounds of all people.

Students enhance their ability to serve clients and meet their individual needs through advancing educational access, and economic and social participation.

The program prepares students to work in a variety of settings, serving people of many different backgrounds.

The online Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling requires 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Research and Evaluation
• Principles of Vocational, Educational, and Psychological Assessment
• Abnormal Psychology
• Group Counseling and Group Dynamics
• Cultural Diversity in Counseling

Students must also complete a practicum and internship.

Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

The substance and addiction counseling program utilizes a cohort model in which all students complete the same program of study. The program requires two weeks of on-campus study in the first summer.

The University of Massachusetts, Boston is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The School for Global Inclusion and Social Development is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

5West Virginia University – College of Education and Human Services – Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, & Counseling Psychology – WVU Online

(Morgantown, West Virginia)

West Virginia University, a public university founded in 1867, enrolls more than 28,000 students across 15 schools and 200 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Among those, West Virginia University offers highly regarded rural medicine and primary care programs at its School of Medicine.

Through its online division, WVU Online, West Virginia University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling degree program which prepares students for entry-level rehabilitation and mental health counseling positions.

Students enhance their ability to better assess, diagnose, and treat individual clients experiencing disabilities and other disadvantages in various aspects of their lives, as well as their spouses and their families. The program establishes a foundation in students of a competent and ethical approach and understanding toward addressing a variety of unique issues in diverse communities.

The online MS in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program requires 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Rehabilitation (Foundations)
• Research Seminar: Introduction to Research
• Medical Aspects of Rehabilitation
• Disability Across the Lifespan
• Theories of Human Appraisal

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must also complete a practicum and an internship. The program also requires two residencies on campus in Morgantown for completion, the first for a week, the second for three days.

Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

West Virginia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Department of Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, and Counseling Psychology is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

6Assumption College – Institute of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies

(Worcester, Massachusetts)

Assumption College, a private, Catholic university founded in 1904, enrolls approximately 2,500 students, with a low student to faculty ratio, in a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Assumption College uses a model which allows for a personal educational experience for each student.

Assumption College offers an online Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling degree program which addresses current and emerging issues in the field of rehabilitation counseling and in the communities served.

Students enhance their ability to be effective counselors through theory, practical knowledge, and a strong ethical foundation, working toward positive, meaningful change in the lives of their clients from a variety of diverse backgrounds and in a variety of diverse settings.

The online Master in Rehabilitation Counseling degree program requires 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Counseling Theory and Practice
• Rehabilitation Research and Program Evaluation
• Foundations of the Rehabilitation Counseling Profession
• Introduction to Medical Rehabilitation
• Substance Abuse and Addictive Disorders in Rehabilitation

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must complete a practicum and an internship. Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework, and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

The courses primarily utilize an asynchronous format, but the program does require two five-day on-campus residencies, one in each summer semester.

Assumption College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The Institute of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

7Emporia State University – The Teachers College – Department of Counselor Education

(Emporia, Kansas)

Emporia State University, a public university founded in 1863, enrolls around 6,000 students across four different schools, with a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs. As Kansas only became a state in 1861, Emporia State University holds the distinction of being one of the oldest Universities in the area.

Emporia State University offers a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling online degree program which cultivates professional knowledge, ethical principles, and social responsibility.

Students graduate prepared for careers in the field in a variety of settings and enhance their ability to effectively assess and meet the individual needs of their clients, to manage their cases, and offer other rehabilitation services to help the clients make positive change in their lives.

The online MS in Rehabilitation Counseling program requires 48 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Psychosocial Development and Disability
• Foundations of Rehabilitation Counseling
• Counseling Theories
• Employment Issues in Rehabilitation
• Group Processes in Counseling

Students in the substance and addiction counseling program must also complete a practicum and an internship. Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework, and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

Emporia State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The Department of Counselor Education is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

8Thomas University – Division of Counseling and Psychology

(Thomasville, Georgia)

Thomas University, a private university founded in 1950, enrolls a limited number of students, around 1,000. The graduate and undergraduate programs at Thomas University feature a low student-to-faculty ratio and an emphasis on professional career development alongside academics. Though it has seen several name and status changes in its history, Thomas University now operates as a sectarian university.

Thomas University offers an online Master of Science in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling degree program, with an option for specialization in Addictions and Alcoholism Counseling. Students in the program develop the skills necessary to serve their clients in a way consistent with the program’s mission of advocacy and awareness. Students enhance their ability to assess and meet the needs of their clients through applying theoretical and practical knowledge, community services and resources, and through ethical, field-standard practices.

The online Master in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling general program requires 60 credit hours, the Addictions and Alcoholism Counseling specialization requires 72 credit hours, and both include the following core courses:

• Introduction to Counseling
• Substance Abuse Counseling Methods
• Medical Aspects of Disability
• Crisis Counseling
• Psychosocial and Multicultural Aspects of Disability
• Theories and Techniques of Counseling

Students in the Master’s in Addiction Counseling online program must complete a practicum and an internship. Students may focus their studies directly on substance abuse and addiction counseling through elective coursework and through pursuing their practicum and internship at relevant facilities.

The program provides opportunities for graduate assistantships.

Thomas University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Division of Counseling and Psychology is fully accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

9Indiana Wesleyan University – The Graduate School – Division of Graduate Counseling

(Marion, Indiana)

Indiana Wesleyan University, a private university affiliated with the Wesleyan Church and founded in 1920, enrolls around 3,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. As an evangelical institution, Indiana Wesleyan University incorporates religious teachings and its mission into its academics, and holds the title of the largest member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Indiana Wesleyan University’s Master of Arts in Clinical Addiction Counseling online degree program prepares students to deal with substance abuse and chemical addictions, as well as eating, sexual, and gambling addictions.

The Clinical Addiction Counseling Master’s degree program prepares students to work in a variety of professional settings as Christian counseling professionals. The program also enhances their ability to serve their clients, and their clients’ families, through evidence-based practice which integrates a Christian worldview with a strong foundation in social and behavioral sciences.

The online Master in Clinical Addiction Counseling program requires 48 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Multicultural Counseling
• Theory and Techniques in Group Counseling
• Appraisal of Individuals and Families
• Issues in Addiction Recovery
• Theories and Treatment of Addiction
• Counseling Addicted Families

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must also complete an internship.

Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

10University of South Dakota – Department of Addiction Studies – USD Online

(Vermillion, South Dakota)

The University of South Dakota, a public university founded in 1862, enrolls nearly 10,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The state’s oldest university, with its founding precedes the official statehood of South Dakota by 27 years, and it holds the title of South Dakota’s only designated liberal arts university.

The university designed the online Master of Arts in Addiction Studies degree program for professionals already working in the field of addiction counseling, looking to advance their careers. Toward this goal, the program comes in two varieties: a standard track, and an advanced track, for professionals already Certified or Licensed as an Addiction Counselor, or who have successfully completed an addiction studies bachelor’s degree.

The online Master in Addiction Studies program enables students to advance their careers in the field of addiction and substance abuse counseling through advancing their education and qualifications. Students develop a strong foundation in ethical practices and contemporary clinical theories and approaches, enhancing their ability to serve their clients through private, group, and family counseling sessions, in a variety of treatment settings.

This Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online degree program requires 45 credit hours for the Standard track, 33 credit hours for the advanced track, and includes the following core courses:

• Addiction Studies Research
• Alcohol and Drug Counseling Theories
• Advanced Legal/Ethical Issues and the Addiction Profession
• Psychopharmacology and Other Drugs
• Wellness, Recovery, and Maintenance
• Case Management & Assessment of Co-Occurring Disorders

Students in the online MA in Addiction Studies program must also complete an internship.

The substance and addiction counseling program, designed for working professionals, requires one year of field experience for admission.

The University of South Dakota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

11University of Oklahoma, Tulsa – College of Liberal Studies

(Tulsa, Oklahoma)

The University of Oklahoma, a public university founded in 1890, enrolls more than 30,000 students. A satellite campus of the main university, The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa, offers more than 30 select graduate and undergraduate programs, including online degrees. The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa campus traces its origins back to when the School of Library and Information Studies began offering classes in Tulsa in 1957.

The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa offers an online Master of Prevention Science degree program, focused on the impact of substance abuse on individuals, families, and communities worldwide. The program instills in students the skills and knowledge necessary to enhance their ability to fight addiction and substance abuse as counselors and prevention specialists in a variety of professional settings.

The Master of Prevention Science online degree requires 33 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Intro to Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies
• Interdisciplinary Foundation
• Research methods in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Foundations in Prevention Science
• Prevention Across the Lifespan
• Program Development, Implementation, and Evaluation

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program may complete an internship as an elective course.

The University of Oklahoma, Tulsa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

12Nova Southeastern University – College of Psychology

(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Nova Southeastern University, a private university founded in 1964, enrolls more than 23,000 students, with the great majority pursuing graduate and professional programs. The school utilizes a trimester-based calendar and offers programs of study across 18 different schools.

Nova Southeastern University offers an online Master of Science in Counseling degree program, with the option to specialize in Substance Abuse Counseling, or Substance Abuse Counseling and Education. Designed for people entering or already working in the field of professional counseling, the program allows students to advance their careers through furthering their education and qualifications.

Students enhance their ability to provide effective counseling methods to clients suffering from substance abuse and addiction issues and those related to the clients, through utilizing practices which reflect current clinical and ethical standards.

The online MS in counseling degree program with the Substance Abuse Counseling specialization requires 48 credit hours, and 60 credit hours for the Substance Abuse Counseling and Education specialization. Regardless of specialization, the program includes 33 credit hours of the following core courses:

• Counseling Theories and Practice
• Research and Evaluation for Counselors
• Human Growth and Development
• Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues for Counselors
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Psychopathology
• Psychological Testing for Individual Evaluation
• Substance Abuse

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must complete a practicum; students pursuing the Substance Abuse Counseling and Education specialization must complete two practicums.

The courses utilize an asynchronous format.

Nova Southeastern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

13Ottawa University – School of Arts and Sciences – Division of Social Sciences

(Ottawa, Kansas)

Ottawa University, a private Christian university founded in 1865 and affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA, enrolls a limited number of students, around 5,000 total. While the main campus in Ottawa, Kansas has a small residential enrollment, Ottawa University has eight campuses around the country, as well as online program, offering a variety of graduate and undergraduate degrees.

Ottawa University offers an online Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling degree program designed to prepare students for a career in the field of addiction counseling. Integrating theory, research, and practice, the program prepares students to work in a variety of settings, assessing and treating the individual needs of clients struggling with addiction.

The online MA in Addiction Counseling program includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Addictions
• Multicultural Concerns in Addictions Counseling
• Law and Ethics in Addictions Counseling
• Theories and Practices of Groups in Addictions Counseling
• Methods and Models of Research in Addictions Counseling
• Psychopharmacology and Addictions Counseling

Students in the substance and addiction counseling program must also complete a practicum.

Ottawa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

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14University of the Cumberlands – School of Counseling

(Williamsburg, Kentucky)

The University of the Cumberlands, a private, Christian university affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and founded in 1889, enrolls approximately 6,000 students in a select variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across four schools.

The University of the Cumberlands offers an online Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree program, with the option to pursue an Addiction Counseling Track. The program teaches students how to apply contemporary theories of intervention and prevention practices for effective addiction counseling, for individuals and groups. Students enhance their ability to assess, diagnose, and develop a treatment plan for their clients. The program prepares students to pursue a career in professional addiction counseling in a variety of settings.

The online MA in Professional Counseling program requires 60 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Professional Counseling
• Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
• Psychological Assessment in Clinical Practice
• Human Grown and Development
• Counseling Theories
• Theories and Practice of Multicultural Counseling

Students in the Master’s in Addiction Counseling online program must also complete a practicum and an internship.

The University of the Cumberlands is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

15Liberty University – Liberty University Online

(Lynchburg, Virgina)

Liberty University, is a private, Christian university located in Lynchburg, VA and was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell. Liberty University has students in over 550 different undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

Liberty University’s Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling online degree program integrates contemporary addiction counseling theories and practices with biblical counseling principles. Students in the program enhance their ability to act as effective counselors and promote positive change in the lives of their clients through assessment of their needs and designing a treatment plan, applying counseling methods, working with clients and their families to establish a healing environment, and incorporating their faith as a foundation for therapeutic guidance.

Liberty University also offers online a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling – Addiction and Recovery degree, and an online Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling – Addiction and Recovery degree.

The Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online requires 48 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling
• Multicultural Counseling
• Integration of Spirituality and Counseling
• Theories of Counseling
• Research and Program Evaluation
• Addiction and Recovery Process

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must complete an internship. The program also includes three intensive courses which require five days on campus each.

Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

16Washburn University – School of Applied Studies – Department of Human Services

(Topeka, Kansas)

Washburn University, a public university founded in 1865, enrolls nearly 7,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Initially founded as Lincoln College, the name of the school changed to Washburn College in 1868 after Ichabod Washburn made a sizable donation to the school, from who the school’s mascots, the Ichabods, also derive their name.

Washburn University offers an online Master of Arts in Human Services/Addiction Counseling degree program which provides a holistic, integrative approach to the work of addiction counseling. Students enhance their ability to apply theory and research in the field toward serving their clients, assessing, diagnosing, and treating their clients so as to promote positive change and healing.

The program prepares students to pursue and advance careers in a variety of settings in the addiction counseling field.

The Master in Human Services/Addiction Counseling online degree program requires 36 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Integrative Human Services
• Advanced Methods of Individual Counseling
• Professional Ethics and Practice
• Advanced Methods of Group Counseling
• Advanced Pharmacology and Substance Use Disorders
• Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders

Students in the substance and addiction counseling program must also complete a practicum, as well as an internship if they do not already have relevant prior internship or work experience.

Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

17Governors State University – College of Health and Human Services – Department of Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health

(University Park, Illinois)

Governors State University, a public university founded in 1969, enrolls more than 5,000 students in a limited selection of undergraduate and graduate programs. Initially utilizing a liberal academic model which gave out competencies in place of grades, Governors State University has developed into a more traditional university over its history.

Governors State University offers an online Master of Health Science in Addiction Studies degree program which emphasizes contemporary, evidence-based approaches to understanding and treating addiction. Students in the program enhance their ability to assess and treat clients, and utilize the skills and knowledge they acquire to initiate positive change not only in their clients, but in their communities.

The online MHS in Addiction Studies program requires 32 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Psychopharmacology
• Planning, Managing, and Evaluating Substance Abuse Programs
• Substance Abuse Prevention
• Etiology and Epidemiology of Substance Abuse
• Substance Abuse Counseling
• Group Techniques
• Clinical Models of Addiction

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must also complete an internship and a comprehensive exam.

Governors State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

18Grand Canyon University – College of Humanities and Social Sciences

(Phoenix, Arizona)

Grand Canyon University, founded in 1949, enrolls nearly 70,000 students in a variety of graduate and undergraduate programs. Though initially founded as a non-profit university, when Significant Education LLC bought Grand Canyon University in 2004, it became the first for-profit Christian university in the U.S. While a significant portion of its student population attends class on campus, the majority of its enrolled students pursue their degrees entirely online.

Grand Canyon University’s online Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree program prepares students for careers in the field of addiction counseling, including private practice, clinical work, group practice, and owning their own practice. Students enhance their ability to diagnose, assess, and treat clients, with a curriculum which addresses practical and theoretical knowledge, as well as cultural and diversity issues in counseling, and well as adolescent addiction treatment.

The online MS in Addiction Counseling program requires 36 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Introduction to Graduate Studies in the Health Sciences
• Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethics
• Counseling Theories
• Introduction to Addictions and Substance Use Disorders
• Group Counseling Theory and Practice
• Social and Cultural Diversity Issues in Counseling

Students in the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must also complete pre-practicum fieldwork experience, and a practicum or internship. The courses utilize an eight-week format.

Grand Canyon University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

19Post University – John P. Burke School of Public Services and Education

(Waterbury, Connecticut)

Post University, a for-profit university founded in 1890, enrolls 7,000 students in a limited number of undergraduate and graduate programs, across several campuses and online.

Post University provides an online Master of Science in Human Services degree program, with an option for concentration in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. Designed for professionals already working in rehabilitative counseling or similar fields, the program helps students advance their careers through advancing their education.

Students enhance their ability to make effective, long-term impact in the lives of the people they serve and assist, through expanding their knowledge of prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and prevention in an interdisciplinary curriculum.

The online MS in Human Services program requires 37 credit hours and includes the following core courses:

• Human Services Ethics and Diversity
• Human Development Through the Lifecycle
• Human Services Policy
• Human Service Management
• Applied Research Methods in Human Services

Students in the online Master in Human Services program must also complete a practicum or internship, and a capstone research project.

Post University utilizes a continuous academic calendar. As an accelerated program, courses in the substance and addiction counseling program occur as eight-week modules and in an asynchronous format.

Post University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

20Walden University – College of Social and Behavioral Sciences – School of Counseling

(Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Walden University, a for-profit university founded in 1970 and part of the Laureate International Universities network, enrolls more than 47,000 students in a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Walden University offers online programs. The university utilizes a quartered academic calendar.

Walden University provides an online Master of Science in Addiction Counseling degree program, with numerous options for specialization beyond the General Program, including: Addictions and Public Health; Child and Adolescent Counseling; Family Studies and Interventions; Forensic Counseling; Military Families and Culture; and Trauma and Crisis Counseling.

Through offering different specializations, the online MS in Addiction Counseling program at Walden University prepares students for addiction counseling careers in a wide variety of settings, including inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, schools of all levels, private practice, veterans’ affairs facilities, and the legal system. Students enhance their ability to address, diagnose, and treat addiction and complications arising from addiction across all walks of life.

The online MS in Addiction Counseling program requires a minimum of 90 quarter-credit hours for the General Program, 100 quarter-credit hours for the specializations, and includes the following core courses:

• Foundations for Graduate Study in Counseling
• Introduction to Addiction
• Techniques in counseling
• Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Ethics and Legal Issues in Counseling
• Counseling Addictive Disorders

Students pursuing the Master’s degree in Addiction Counseling online program must also complete a practicum and an internship.

Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Important Substance Abuse Counselor Degree and Career Information

Substance Abuse Counselor Master’s Degree Program Options

Typically, online Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling degrees and Master’s in Addiction Counseling online degrees provide students with learning experiences via internships and practicums, as well as a curriculum required to sit for licensing board exams.

Substance abuse counseling related graduate programs provide students with the knowledge and skills in prevention and in-treatment methods to help addicted clients. The programs cover subjects such as assessing clients, counseling techniques, community services, research methods, treatment methods for drug and alcohol abuse, addiction and recovery process, diagnosis of substance use disorders, psychopharmacology and other drugs, and methods of group counseling.

Some graduate programs provide specializations such as drug abuse counseling, alcohol abuse counseling, and clinical counseling, Individuals interested in working in medical and healthcare-specific settings may consider a program with a clinical counseling specialization and individuals interested in working in a social work setting may consider a rehabilitation counseling specialization.

Some of the Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling online degrees, Master’s in Addiction Counseling online degrees, and related degrees require a specific number of days for face-to-face meetings. Also, many of these programs require students complete an internship.

Colleges and universities provide substance abuse counseling related master’s degree programs such as:

• Addictions Counseling
• Addiction Studies
• Clinical Addiction Counseling
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Addiction Counseling specialization
• Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
• Counseling with an Addictions Counseling specialization
• Human Development and Family Studies with an Addiction Treatment Services Specialization
• Human Services/Addiction Counseling
• Human Services with a concentration in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
• Psychology with an emphasis in addictions counseling
• Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling
• Rehabilitation Counseling with a Substance Abuse specialization
• Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling

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Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Careers

Substance abuse and addiction counselors work with clients in one-on-one sessions and group sessions and as part of a caregiving team. Besides working with patients some substance abuse counselors are involved in the administration aspects of their agency.

Substance abuse counselor job titles:

• Addictions Counselor
• Behavioral Disorder Counselor
• Case Manager
• Chemical Dependency Counselor
• Clinical Counselor
• Drug and Alcohol Counselor
• Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist
• Substance Abuse Counselor

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Substance Abuse Counselor Employment Settings

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Substance Abuse Counselors Salary Information

Substance abuse counselors and behavior disorder counselors had a median annual wage in 2015 of $39,980

The median annual wages in 2015 for substance abuse counselors and behavior disorder counselors in the major sectors:

• Hospitals; local, state and private: $46,290
• Local and state government, excluding education and hospitals: $45,140
• Outpatient care centers: $39,460
• Individual and family services: $38,820
• Residential intellectual and developmental disability, substance abuse and mental health facilities: $36,100

(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

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Substance Abuse Counselors Employment Growth

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 22 percent employment growth for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations.

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Substance Abuse Counselor Licensing Requirements

Substance abuse counselors in private practice must have a license. Every state requires a master’s degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Counselors must also pass a state-issued exam and every year complete continuing education.

Individuals interested in pursuing a career in any type of counseling should always check with their state board of licensure to determine certification and licensing requirements. The licensure or certification criteria for substance abuse counselors outside of private practice vary for each state. Not all states require a specific degree, however may state require candidates pass an exam.

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Accreditation

The Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA). CORE accredits graduate programs which provide academic preparation for a variety of professional rehabilitation counseling positions.

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Addiction Counselor Certifications and Associations

National Board for Certified Counselors

The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), Inc. and Affiliates, a national certifying organization for professional counselors in the United States, is an independent non-profit credentialing organization which oversees a national certification system. The organization identifies certified counselors and maintains a register of these certified counselors. The organization’s National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) certifications are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the accrediting organization of the Institute for Accrediting Excellence. All 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, use its examinations for professional counselors.

The NBCC provides students well advanced in a participating counselor preparation program the opportunity to begin the National Certified Counselor (NCC) application process prior to graduation. The NBCC also provides resources for students.

National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors

The National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) represents the professional interests of over 95,000 addiction counselors, educators as well as other addiction-focused healthcare professionals in the United States, Canada and abroad. The NAADAC members include professionals who specialize in addiction prevention, treatment, recovery support, and education.

The National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) under the auspices of the NAADAC operates as an independent organization for issues involving the association’s substance use disorders counselor certification and endorsement opportunities at the national and international level.

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC), a nonprofit organization, serves as a national certifying organization for professional rehabilitation counselors. The CRCC maintains and monitors a national certification program for Certified Rehabilitation Counselors. The CRCC also maintains a register of all Certified Rehabilitation Counselors and provides certification status for the public.

The CRCC Certification Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the accrediting organization of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. Certified Rehabilitation Counselors may specialize in numerous areas of rehabilitation counseling including substance abuse/addictions counseling.

International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors

The International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) includes professional substance abuse/addictions counselors, corrections counselors, students and counselor educators. The association has a mission to provide leadership in and advancement of the professions of addiction and offender counseling.

The IAAOC provides student membership for students enrolled at least half-time in a college or university program.

The IAAOC reports the website is designed to create a community among practitioners, researchers, graduate students and counselor educators.

Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network

The Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC), strives to improve the quality of addictions treatment and recovery services through facilitating alliances among front-line counselors, the health and mental health communities, policy makers, treatment and recovery services agency administrators, faith-based organizations, consumers and others. ATTC connects people to the latest research and information through activities such as academic education, online and distance education, skills training, workshops, conferences, and publications.

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