Choosing a Program
A master’s degree in addiction counseling varies among institutions, but most schools require similar coursework and projects. Common core courses are substance abuse counseling, biology of addiction, and techniques in counseling. In addition to coursework, some programs require thesis projects, internships, and capstones, each of which allows students to showcase what they have learned throughout their program.
Students who graduate with their master’s in addiction and recovery are often able to enter successful careers as rehabilitation counselors, substance abuse counselors, and clinical case managers.
What Else Can I Expect From an Online Master’s in Addiction and Recovery Program?
Several universities offer online master’s in addiction and recovery programs, teaching students about addiction, treatment, recovery, and how each affects the human brain and body. Again, while programs across the nation differ, they all equip students with in–depth skills in their area of interest.
The Curriculum for an Online Master’s Degree in Addiction and Recovery
- Treatment and the Recovery Process
: This course teaches students how to examine treatment models of recovery, addiction, and relapse. Among the topics considered are how to develop treatment plans, how to research treatment outcomes, and how to understand the culture of recovery and addiction. For practical experience, this course combines research and hands–on activities.
- Stress, Grief, and Trauma
: This course considers patients who have been impacted by acute stress, grief, trauma, and loss. Students learn about anxiety and depression and the different ways to treat patients who suffer from mental imbalances, survivor guilt, crisis, and trauma. They also study human stress responses to gain an understanding of how patients are impacted.
- Biology of Addiction and Recovery: This course examines addictive behaviors and substance abuse and how both affect the brain and human body. Students delve into brain anatomy to learn about biological aspects of addiction. They also investigate treatments for patients struggling with substance abuse and discern how those medicines impact the brain.
Certifications and Licenses a Master’s in Addiction and Recovery Prepares For
NCTTP certifies individuals to provide treatment to patients addicted to tobacco products. To qualify for the certification, individuals must have a bachelor’s degree or higher, be tobacco free for a minimum of six months, and complete a training program followed by 240 hours of tobacco treatment practice. With the certification, individuals can pursue a career as a tobacco treatment specialist.
The RTP certificate program is for individuals interested in recovery–based practices for services related to addiction. The program teaches individuals skills, concepts, and practices related to recovery programs and garners more awareness about the benefits of those types of practices. To become certified, individuals must complete 15.5 hours of required coursework and 14.5 hours of flexible coursework.
Accreditation for Online Master’s in Addiction and Recovery Degrees
There are two types of accreditation for institutions of higher education: regional and national. Regionally, accredited schools are typically schools that grant degrees, while nationally accredited schools give certificates or function as trade schools. Regionally, accredited institutions are more widely accepted than nationally accredited ones, largely due to the fact that credits from regionally accredited programs are easily transferable while credits from nationally accredited programs are not.
Prospective students may look up accrediting agencies on the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s website, but most programs will cite their accrediting agency on their own websites. Keep in mind that some employers are unable to accept applicants who did not graduate from a regionally accredited institution, so it is important for students to research this information before choosing a program.
Online Master’s in Addiction and Recovery Careers
Individuals who have earned their master’s in addiction counseling online have a variety of career opportunities available to them in a field with a steady growth rate. As indicated below, most careers are focused on providing advice, treatment, and care to individuals suffering from different types of disorders and addictions.
Substance abuse counselors provide advice and guidance to individuals who suffer from alcoholism, eating disorders, drug addiction, and behavioral problems. They recommend and provide treatment to help patients overcome addiction and mental issues. Substance abuse counselors often work in private practices, community health centers, and prisons.
Median Salary:
$43,300
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029):
23%
Rehabilitation counselors care for and guide individuals with mental, physical, emotional, or developmental disabilities. They help patients learn how to live independently and overcome negative impacts of living with their disability. Rehabilitation counselors work in rehabilitation centers, youth guidance organizations, and senior centers.
Median Salary:
$34,860
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029):
13%
Social workers help patients cope with everyday problems, and they diagnose and provide treatment for individuals who suffer from emotional, mental, and behavioral issues. Social workers work in mental health clinics, settlement houses, human service agencies, hospitals, and private practices.
Median Salary:
$47,980
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029):
16%
Professional Organizations for Addiction and Recovery
Professional organizations are valuable to individuals in the addiction and recovery field for networking, sharing ideas, and further developing their careers.
NAADAC is a professional organization that represents 47 states, Canada, and other places abroad. Members work as educators, addiction counselors, and healthcare professionals focused on addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery.
The NAATP is a nonprofit organization whose members, from the addiction treatment field, work together to collaborate on new ideas, communicate, and develop standards to practice in their work.
ASAM’s members play an active role in creating government policies that affect their patients. Members have careers as physicians, clinicians, and other related professions in the area of addiction treatment and medicine.
