The Best Online Master’s in Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Programs

Established in 1862, 27 years before South Dakota gained statehood, the University of South Dakota currently enrolls over 10,000 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs at its main campus in Vermillion, several off-campus sites throughout the state, and online. U.S. News & World Report ranks USD among the best national universities over the past several years.

The master of artsin addiction studies, one of USD’s 40 online programs, provides flexibility for professionals already employed in the field of addiction counseling who desire to move ahead in their careers. Administered through the School of Health Sciences, the master’s degree in addiction studies online program admits students with at least one year of professional experience or supervised volunteer experience.

Graduates of the program acquire the credentials and skills to meet the needs of clients seeking counseling in a variety of settings, from healthcare centers and mental health facilities to criminal justice agencies and employee wellness programs.

The program offers two tracks. The 33-credit advanced track serves either professionals already licensed or certified as an addiction counselor or those who have completed an addiction studies bachelor’s degree. The 45-credit standard track designed for students entering the field offers foundational courses in substance use and addiction treatment, the psychopharmacology of addiction, and advanced legal and ethical issues affecting the profession. USD charges the same tuition rates to all students, regardless of location.

Liberty University offers over 550 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs at its Lynchburg, Virginia campus and online to over 100,000 students. This evangelical Christian institution, founded in 1971, has become the largest nonprofit university in the United States.

Liberty’s online master of arts in addiction counseling requires 48 credits. Students take classes in self-paced, eight-week formats through the Blackboard learning platform. The curriculum integrates Christian therapeutic principles with training in the theories and practices of substance abuse counseling, diagnosis and treatment planning, and assessment techniques.

Students who earn this online addiction counseling master’s degree qualify for licensure as substance abuse or addiction counselors, fulfilling the requirements for most accrediting boards. Completion of 12 additional credits beyond those required for the master’s meets the requirements for the Virginia licensed substance abuse treatment provider credential.

Distance learners may also participate in optional intensives such as week-long or weekend on-campus classes. These intensives, strongly recommended for students without previous educational or professional experience in addiction counseling, provide the opportunity to interact face to face with professors and other students, enhancing overall educational engagement.

Liberty maintains committed to affordability, keeping tuition rates stable and charging the same flat rate to all online students, regardless of location. Military personnel receive a substantial graduate tuition discount.

Established in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1964, Nova Southeastern University awards undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees across 16 different colleges. NSU’s College of Psychology offers a master of science in counseling featuring several tracks that allow students to focus on a specific field. Two of these concentrations prepare students to enter or advance in substance abuse counseling or related careers: the 48-credit substance abuse counseling specialization and the 60-credit substance abuse counseling and education concentration.

The fully online curriculum accommodates the educational needs of administrators and practitioners already working in substance abuse counseling, allowing students to acquire career-enhancing advanced training and qualifications without interrupting their work obligations. Both concentrations share a common 33-credit core addressing counseling theories and practice; research, and evaluation; diagnosis and treatment; psychological testing; and ethical, legal, and professional issues.

Graduates of the MS program acquire the competencies to provide modern, effective counseling to clients dealing with alcoholism and drug dependency issues. Depending on the specialization, students learn the techniques for intervention and treatment to become familiar with generally accepted approaches to prevention programming and education. Graduates qualify for Florida’s certified master’s-level addiction professional.

Entrance requirements to this MS program include a bachelor’s degree in psychology, behavioral science, or a related field, and either an overall 3.0 GPA in undergraduate courses or a total score of 300 on the combined verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.

Established in 1890, the University of North Texas enrolls more than 37,000 students in 105 bachelor’s, 88 master’s, and 37 doctoral programs. As a major provider of online credit courses among Texas public institutions, UNT provides more than 20 online graduate programs. Among these graduate degrees, the university’s fully online master of science in rehabilitation ranks 12th in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report.

Administered through the College of Health and Public Service, the MS in rehabilitation counseling offers a unique focus on human rights with a commitment to best practices in treatment and healing. The 48-credit degree builds upon a 36-credit core that provides students with a strong foundation in rehabilitation counseling theories, applications, and group work. Online students in the MS program can sharpen their training and experience in substance abuse and addiction counseling through electives and by choosing relevant settings for their required nine-credit practicums and internships.

The curriculum incorporates the course requirements for national certification as a rehabilitation counselor and licensure as a professional counselor in Texas. Although new students may enter the program in either the fall or spring semesters, the department recommends a fall starting date to complete required courses in sequence.

Regent University, a private Christian institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, offers over 130 areas of study, online and on-campus at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Regent’s fully online master of arts in human services with a concentration in addictions counseling delivers an innovative 30-credit curriculum that features podcast lectures and real-time interaction with professors, asynchronous chatroom discussions, and small group projects. Distance learners progress through coursework in eight-week sessions, typically finishing the degree within two years.

The curriculum focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of addictive disorders, including process addictions such as food, sex, and gambling. In addition to web-based courses, this online addiction counseling master’s degree requires students to complete 150 hours in supervised field experiences. Regent’s MA distinguishes itself as one of the few counseling programs based on Christian principles and values. The curriculum incorporates spiritual aspects into its treatment and prevention programs.

Graduates of the program find employment at inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities, hospitals, publicly and privately funded community and family agencies, and church-supported outreach programs. Each applicant to the MA program must hold a bachelor’s in counseling, psychology, or a related human services field and a minimum 3.0 GPA in all undergraduate coursework. The program does not require students to submit GRE scores. This affordable degree, compared to similar programs, charges all online enrollees the same flat tuition rate, regardless of location.

Virginia Commonwealth University, a Tier I public research university, enrolls over 31,000 students in 11 schools and three colleges. VCU has partnered with King’s College London and the University of Adelaide in Australia to offer a unique International Program in Addiction Studies (IPAS) that prepares students for local, national, and international policy roles; program management positions in prevention and treatment; and other leadership responsibilities in the addictions field.

Designed for students who seek in-depth content exposure, research experience in preparation for a doctoral degree, or whose career paths require the completion of master-level requirements for licensure, the IPAS master of science in addiction studies does not include any practical components or training in counseling or medical skills.

This 36-credit MS degree, delivered through distance learning technologies, compares international perspectives on addictions-related knowledge and exposes students to cross-cultural approaches to prevention, treatment, research and evidence-based policy. Coursework emphasizes public health and policy, critical issues in treatment, biological bases of addiction, psychosocial interventions, and pharmacotherapies.

Full-time students may complete the master’s in addictions studies online in 12 months, including a required research project. The program also offers a 24-month plan of study for part-time students. Entrance requirements for a U.S. student consist of a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field; strong academic references; computer literacy; and access to reliable internet. Graduates of the MS in addiction studies receive a diploma conferred by all three IPAS partner universities.

Thomas University, a private university founded in 1950, offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees at its main campus in Thomasville, Georgia, at satellite campuses across the state, and online. The Division of Counseling and Psychology administers a combined master of science in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling. This dually focused MS curriculum meets requirements in clinical mental health counseling in all 50 states and prepares students for national certification as a rehabilitation counselor.

This fully online 60-credit degree emphasizes theory, techniques, and diagnostic procedures; community services; crisis counseling; and cultural awareness. The MS does not require any on-campus residencies. Distance learners can arrange their required field placements, practicums, and internships near their places of residence.

The addictions and alcohol specialization requires an additional 12 credits in coursework in ethics, co-occurring disorders and trauma, the psychopharmacology of addictive drugs, and 450 clinical hours in a counseling internship. Students interested in this specialization choose electives and practicum/internship experiences that directly apply to this field.

Thomas offers fast-track admission that allows new students to enter the program in the fall, spring, or summer. Out-of-state students pay the same per-credit tuition rate as Georgia residents. Qualified students may apply for graduate assistantships to help offset the cost of their degree and gain experience within the field of study.

Assumption College, based in the New England city of Worcester, Massachusetts, serves a student body of approximately 2,500. This Catholic liberal arts institution offers associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs, including the online master of arts in rehabilitation counseling. Ranked among the 50 best graduate schools for rehabilitation counseling by U.S. News & World Report, the MA integrates a strong academic foundation with experiential learning opportunities that provide students with real-world, practical training.

Drawing from the fields of sociology, psychology, economics, natural sciences, education, and the humanities, the multidisciplinary curriculum includes core coursework in substance abuse and addictive disorders in rehabilitation, introduction to assessment and appraisal of individuals with disabilities, introduction to counseling theory and practice, rehabilitation research and program evaluation, and case management and rehabilitation plan development.

Students satisfy the required clinical placements through a 100-hour practicum completed over one semester and 600-hour internship over two semesters. Distance learners may focus their studies on substance abuse and addiction counseling through relevant electives and field placements.

Graduates of the MA fulfill the eligibility requirements to sit for the certified rehabilitation counselor exam. The Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Counseling sponsors a six-in-five program that enables qualified undergraduates to enroll in graduate-level courses during their senior year, completing the requirements for the master’s degree in five years, rather than six.

The University of the Cumberlands, a private Christian institution, serves over 11,000 students in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs at its campuses in Williamsburg and Florence, Kentucky, plus online. The school’s Clinical Counseling Department offers an online master of arts in addiction counseling with a specialization in addiction counseling.

Designed for recent baccalaureate graduates who wish to enter the field, as well as mental health counselors seeking to advance their credentials, this online addiction counseling master’s degree provides the training for dual licensure as licensed professional counselors and licensed/certified addiction counselors.

The 60-credit program equips its graduates with the skills to work with diverse client populations, applying counseling practices, and selecting appropriate assessments to evaluate, diagnose, and develop treatment plans. The curriculum requires 48 credits in core requirements such as psychological assessment in clinical practice, human growth and development, and counseling during grief and crisis.

All students complete practicums and internship experiences as part of their degree requirements. The 12-credit addiction counseling track consists of four specialized courses in psychopharmacology and addictions, motivation and change, family therapy in addiction treatment, and spirituality and values in counseling. Distance learners typically complete four online courses each 16-week semester, taking two courses in each eight-week bi-term. Cumberland offers rolling admission, allowing students to begin their master’s at the start of any bi-term.

UMass Boston, a public research university within the University of Massachusetts system, serves a student body of over 16,000. Its School for Global Inclusion and Social Development, recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best graduate schools in rehabilitation counseling, offers an online master of science in rehabilitation counseling committed to training leaders who promote economic and social participation for diverse populations with disabilities.

The 60-credit MS degree offers two tracks. The clinical rehabilitation track trains counselors to assist people with mental health and other disabilities, while the vocational rehabilitation specialization prepares students for employment in community, state, and federal vocational rehabilitation systems. Both tracks meet the eligibility requirements for national certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor.

Distance learners may complete the program in two years of full-time study or within four years if attending part time. The program uses a cohort model that requires students to take synchronously delivered courses at scheduled weekly times, usually during the evening. Distance learners must attend a two-week on-campus residency for clinical training in the summer during their first year of study.

The MS also requires online learners to participate in practicums and internship experiences. Students may complete these field placements in local agencies near their geographic locations with online supervision. Students interested in alcohol and substance abuse counseling may focus their electives and field placements in this area.

Based in Fairborn, Ohio, Wright State University, named after Ohio residents and aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright, confers degrees at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level, including several online options. The Department of Human Services offers an online master of rehabilitation counseling (MRC) with a specialization in chemical dependency.

This 60-credit program equips students for career opportunities in the expanding fields of rehabilitation services, substance abuse and addictions counseling, and prevention and employee assistance programs. Completion of the MRC coursework qualifies graduates of the program to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor examination.

This fully online master’s degree provides a comprehensive foundation in counseling theory and practice; group process; clinical pathology; case management; and legal, professional, and ethical issues affecting the profession. The chemical dependency specialization requires two courses that cover the theory and epidemiology of addictions, plus addiction theory and practice.

Distance learners must participate in supervised practicums and internship experiences. Internship placements for students in the chemical dependency specialization require a total of 600 hours in a rehabilitation or social services agency that serves clients with chemical dependencies or with a dual-diagnosis of chemical dependency and another disability.

Incoming students may enter the program in the fall or spring semesters. Online learners receive a full set of student support services, including technological help for the Pilot learning management system, academic advising, career placement guidance, and remote access to library resources and databases from any OhioLINK institution.

Washburn University, established in 1865 in Topeka, Kansas, serves a student body of 7,000 by conferring bachelor’s, graduate, and professional degrees. WU’s School of Applied Studies offers a completely online master of arts in human services/addiction counseling [PDF] that combines traditional methods of practice with a holistic and integrative approach for training substance abuse counselors.

The 36-credit master’s, approved by the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors and the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, prepares students to become licensed master’s addiction counselors and licensed clinical addiction counselors.

Students in the online addiction counseling master’s degree complete foundational coursework in pharmacology, group counseling, professional ethics, narrative practices, and addiction recovery. Distance learners may complete the required two semesters of practicum experiences in field placements within their own communities.

Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s in human services, psychology, or a related field with an overall 3.0 GPA over the last 60 undergraduate course credits. Students with previously earned master’s-level coursework from another regionally accredited university may transfer up to 12 credits, subject to departmental approval. The MA typically takes full-time students two years to complete. WU offers a fast-track option that allows undergraduates in the human services program to earn both their bachelor of applied studies and the master of arts in human services-addiction counseling in five years.

Participation in online courses in this degree program requires a reliable internet connection, the ability to video-record and video-conference, and applications for faxing, scanning, and converting documents to PDF files.